230417-N-N3764-1002 CARIBBEAN SEA - (Apr. 17, 2023) -- The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Little Rock (LCS 9) deploys an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to aid in a drug interdiction while deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations (AOR), Apr. 17, 2023. Little Rock is assigned to Commander, Task Force 45 (CTF-45). CTF-45 is the 4th Fleet task force charged with executing combined naval operations, building and strengthening Latin American, south of Mexico, and Caribbean maritime partnerships, and acting as a DoD ready service provider to JIATF-S in support of counter illicit-drug trafficking operations in the Central and South American waters. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)