190509-N-UX312-1124 SUEZ CANAL (May 9, 2019) Capt. Putnam Browne, left, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), speaks with Maj. Gen. Ralph Groover, defense attach� for the United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, on the bridge of Abraham Lincoln as the ship transits the Suez Canal. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in order to defend American forces and interests in the region. 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 (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 2nd Class Matt Herbst/Released)