190103-N-OM854-1150 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 3, 2019) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the French navy air defense destroyer FS Cassard (D 614) transits alongside in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 3, 2019, during Combined Task Force 50 integrated operations. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group 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 3rd Class Grant G. Grady/Released)