180630-N-ZG607-0072 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (June 30, 2018) Capt. Joseph O’Brien, commanding officer of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), speaks during a ceremony for the 17th anniversary of the commissioning of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima 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 3rd Class Dominick A. Cremeans/Released)