190423-N-DS741-0056 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 23, 2019) Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Tim Hopkins, from Sanderson, Texas, a member of the air department aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), departs an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46. Leyte Gulf is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group CSG )12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, Leyte Gulf and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; as well as the Spanish navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Pearson/Released)