181108-M-LQ865-1036 MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 8, 2018) Sailors assigned to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) play with children during a volunteer event at the Regional Institute for Active Learning in Manama, Bahrain. The Essex ARG with 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)