190804-N-GV721-1063 ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 4, 2019) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Bradley Peterson, from Mora, Minn., assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), runs to a bean-bag dropped on the flight deck during an exercise to communicate with Boxer from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21. During World War II, in order for airborne pilots to safely communicate with the ship each plane was equipped with several “bean-bags” that is, with weighted cloth containers in which a note could be placed and dropped to the deck of the carrier as the pilot slowly flew over in a landing configuration. Boxer is part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and is 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian P. Caracci/Released)