190302-M-BY563-1004 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March 2, 2019) U.S. Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) move pallets during a vertical replenishment-at-sea (VERTREP) on the flight deck of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43). The VERTREP delivered food, supplies and mail to the service members aboard the Fort McHenry. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 22nd MEU and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are currently 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 Sgt. Davin BrinkClapp/Released)