U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 8, 2017) -

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 8, 2017) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk prepares to insert the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force fast ropes onto USS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3) to perform a visit, board, search, and seizure mission during Alligator Dagger 2017. VBSSs are conducted to capture and control a suspected enemy vessel in order to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling operations on the sea. Available expeditionary Navy/Marine Corps forces stand ready aboard ships to assure allies, deter potential adversaries and provide persistent U.S. presence. Alligator Dagger provides opportunity to enhance capabilities in critical mission sets inherent to the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristina Young/Released)