181010-M-MR595-1172 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Oct. 10, 2018) The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conducts a routine transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 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. Danny Gonzalez/Released)