181004-M-LQ865-1007 ARABIAN SEA (Oct. 4, 2018) Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), inspect the hydraulic pressure and run system checks on an MV-22B Osprey aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Oct. 4, 2018. Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and with the embarked 13th MEU, 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. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg/Released)