181123-M-AR450-1292 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Nov. 23, 2018) U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Maritime Raid Force, load a simulated casualty to evacuate on an SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter during visit, board, search and seizure. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group 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 chokepoints. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Wesley Timm/Released)