180904-N-UX013-1043 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 4, 2018) Lt. Jonathan Marie, USS Jason Dunham�s (DDG 109) landing signal officer, controls launch and recovery operations for an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the �Vipers� of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48, on the ship�s flight deck. Dunham 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 Jonathan Clay/Released)