181011-N-NI420-1011 ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 11, 2018) Hospital Corpsmen 2nd Class Israel Castro and Alyssa Gupiteo examine simulated injuries of Marine Corps Sgt. Mark Mendez, assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), during a mass casualty drill aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a regularly scheduled deployment with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th MEU. Essex is a lethal, flexible, and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation 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 Molly DiServio/Released)