191120-N-RJ834-1228 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 20, 2019) Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jason Rupp assigned to the guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82), fires a .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise. Lassen is part of the East Coast Surface Action Group and is operating in 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 Paci�c through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tamara Vaughn/Released)