190731-M-QP663-1013 ARABIAN GULF (July 31, 2019) Sgt. Austin Christensen, an RQ-21A maintainer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducts a pre-flight inspection on an RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial system aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Dublinske/Released)