U.S. Coast Guardsmen assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) execute a three-gun salute during a burial at sea service held for Master Chief Clarence Dowden Jr. (Ret.) aboard the Waesche, in the South China Sea, June 22, 2024. Waesche held the burial at sea to commemorate Dowden Jr., the first Coast Guardsmen to be awarded the Silver Ancient Mariner Award in 1980. The U.S. Coast Guard has operated in the Indo-Pacific for more than 150 years, and the service is increasing efforts through targeted patrols with our National Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters and other activities in support of Coast Guard missions to enhance our partnership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elijah Murphy)