190426-N-DS741-0206 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 26, 2019) Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) conduct rigid hull inflatable boat operations. Leyte Gulf is underway as part of Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, U.S. 6th and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation. 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)