180922-N-PH222-1317 RED SEA (Sept. 22, 2018) Marine

180922-N-PH222-1317 RED SEA (Sept. 22, 2018) Marine Corps Cpl. Evan Frank mans a M240B machine gun aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a lethal, flexible, and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan M. Breeden)