Rear Adm. Xue Tianpei, Deputy Commander of the People’s Republic of China’s South Sea Fleet, and Rear Adm. Frederic R. Ruehe, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan, share a toast at a reception held aboard the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy guided missile destroyer Shenzhen (DDG 167) in Guam. The Shenzhen and PLA Navy oiler Qinghai Hu (AO 885) were in Guam in October 2003 on the PLA Navy’s first naval port visit to the island. Photo by PM3 Shawn M. Morrison, USN

Adm. Viktor Fyodorov, the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet Commander, meets with Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, in Vladivostok, Russia, in September 2003. The two naval leaders met for staff talks. Official U.S. Navy photo

Tongan military personnel pass in review before the King of Tonga in celebration of the King’s 85th birthday. U.S. sailors and Marines from the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) also participated in the parade. The USS Pearl Harbor was en route to San Diego, California, returning from deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Photo by IT2 Amanda R. Stauffacher, USN

U.S. Air Force Capt. Donna Kohout shakes hands with a Malaysian girl during Malaysia’s International Maritime and Aerospace 2003 exhibition in Langkawi, Malaysia. Capt. Kohout flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Pacific Air Force Demonstration Team from Misawa Air Base, Japan. Photo by Cmdr. Dale Fuller, USN

A U.S. Army officer consoles Republic of Korea (ROK) villager Kim Keah-weol after Typhoon Maemi devastated her village of Bongjung-Ri in Kangwon Province in September 2003. The U.S. Army assisted the ROK Army in relief efforts. Photo by Sgt. Lisa Jendry, USA

While in Guam, PLA Navy Rear Adm. Xue Tianpei tours the guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) with U.S. Navy Capt. Jonathan E. Will, Commanding Officer of the USS Chancellorsville. Photo by PM2 Nathanael T. Miller, USN

Rear Adm. Marty Chanik, Commander, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group, fields questions from Hong Kong media aboard USS Carl Vinson’s flight deck during a five-day port visit to Hong Kong. The strike group was in the western Pacific to maintain America’s standing commitment to peace, stability, and theater security cooperation in coordination with allies and friends in the region.. Photo by PHAN Dustin Howell, USN

VLt. Col. Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu, Commander of the Tongan Defence Services, stands with U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dale Fuller,Commanding Officer of the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), during the King of Tonga’s birthday ceremonies. Photo by Cmdr. Dale Fuller, USN

Nine-year-old Rika Chinen, from Okinawa’s Girl Scout Troop 457, rappels down a tower with help from U.S. Air Force SSgt. David Blankenship. Nearly 100 Girl Scouts from around the Pacific particpated in the weeklong summer camp in Okinawa, Japan. Photo by MSgt. Michael Farris, USAF

Musician Paul Broomhead of the Royal Australian Army Band and MU3 Alaina Ilko (left) of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band play their flutes during a joint performance at the Australian Defence Forces School of Music in Melbourne, Australia. The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band was in Australia as part of a goodwill and cooperation tour of the western Pacific.. Photo by JO2 Phil Hasenkamp, USN

U.S. Navy OS Ryan Cirignano shares candy with a Korean girl from the Cheon Hye Won (Heavenly Grace) Orphanage, Republic of Korea. U.S. Navy sailors visited the orphanage as part of a community relations project. The orphanage supports 85 Korean children. Photo by PH3 Jennifer Y. Bell, USN