190115-N-DA693-512 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 15, 2019) The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) transits the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 15, 2019, during exercise Intrepid Sentinel. Intrepid Sentinel brings together the John C. Stennis Strike Group, France’s Marine Nationale, United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy for a multinational exercise designed to enhance war fighting readiness and interoperability between allies and partners. The John C. Stennis 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 Jake Greenberg/Released)