180914-N-RP442-0029 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 14, 2018) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) Command Master Chief Matthew Danforth salutes during the national anthem during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony. Essex is on a scheduled deployment with 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 Jenna Dobson/Released)