200423-N-SL179-2029 ARABIAN GULF (April 23, 2020) Marines, with the Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), sail combat rubber reconnaissance craft, April 23, 2020. Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (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 Sea and the Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan L. Robertson/Released)