180905-N-AT135-0162 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 5 2018) Sailors assigned to the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (TAK-E 3) attach cargo to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the Blackjacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 while conducting a vertical replenishment with the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a scheduled deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a lethal, flexible, and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team 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 Matthew Freeman)