190112-M-RP664-1002 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Jan. 12, 2019) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) transits the Suez Canal. Marines and Sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are 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. Aaron Henson/Released)