The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS "George Washington" (CVN-73) leads a formation during a passing exercise with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces ships. "George Washington" was preparing to deploy around South America as a part of "Southern Seas 2015". The eighth deployment of its kind, "Southern Seas" seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability, and build and maintain regional relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.