190318-N-OW182-1199 ARABIAN GULF (March 18, 2019) Lt. j.g. Natasha Patterson discusses engineering operations and readiness with Under Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57). Mitscher 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 2nd Class Jacob Milham/Released)