190508-N-SS350-0282 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 8, 2019) The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) pulls alongside the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 9) after the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) completed its replenishment-at-sea. Bainbridge is underway as part of the 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, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing Seven (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 Jason Waite/Released)