181209-N-GC639-1329 ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 9, 2018) An SA-330 Puma helicopter lowers supplies onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during a vertical replenishment with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) in the northern Arabian Sea, Dec. 9, 2018. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon/Released)