190127-N-KW492-1315 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS

190127-N-KW492-1315 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Jan. 27, 2019) Cpl. Mathew Sitterly, left, assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, clears the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as Lance Cpl. Tristan Kindopp, also assigned to the 22nd MEU, signals the pilot of an AV-8B Harrier during flight operations. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd MEU, is 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 2nd Class Ryre Arciaga/Released)