180928-N-UY653-032 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 28, 2018) Lt. j.g. Kisshan Sankar, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), maneuvers a rigid-hull inflatable boat alongside the Spanish navy air defense frigate Mendez Nunez (F104) as the ships participate in a smart defense exercise (SMARTEX) led by Spain, Sept. 28, 2018. SMARTEX is a NATO initiative designed to enhance interoperability and training between participating countries. Carney, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its fifth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)