190104-M-LQ865-1113 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 4, 2019) Cpl. Chris Perry, a data specialist assigned to the Command Element, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), hits a golf ball off the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a steel beach picnic, Jan. 4, 2019. Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group 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)