181212-N-NB142-1231 ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 12, 2018) Marines assigned to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 load a guided bomb unit (GBU) 49 onto an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure 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 2nd Class Chandler Harrell/Released)