181222-N-OW182-4106 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 22, 2018) Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Ryan Shields gives commands for heaving a line aboard the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) during a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) . Mitscher, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, 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 2nd Class Jacob Milham/Released)