190510-N-SS350-0069 SUEZ CANAL (May 10, 2019) Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Thomas Ricard, from Aiken, S.C., checks a .50 caliber machine gun mount aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Bainbridge is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG), which is deployed to 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 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7); as well as Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jason Waite/Released)