ARABIAN GULF – U.S. Marine Sgt. Jesus Gonzales, an

ARABIAN GULF – U.S. Marine Sgt. Jesus Gonzales, an administrative specialist with the Command Element, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), cuts open pallets of mail aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Nov. 19, 2018. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex ARG and, with the embarked 13th 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. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg/Released)