190410-N-AT530-1011 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 10, 2019) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), left, conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3). Kearsarge is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 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 Chris Roys/Released)