180910-N-UY653-614 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 10, 2018) An Egyptian Naval Force S-70B Seahawk helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) during Exercise Bright Star 2018. Bright Star is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt focused on responding to modern-day security scenarios. U.S. Navy and coalition assets are participating in numerous exercises, such as Bright Star, as part of the greater Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)