181204-M-LQ865-1110 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 4, 2018) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) lands aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Dec. 4, 2018. Essex is the flagship for the Essex ARG 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. A. J. Van Fredenberg/Released)