181226-N-GR847-2019 COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Dec. 26, 2018) Sailors man the rails of Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) as the ship departs Colombo, Sri Lanka during a deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a capable and lethal Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Reymundo A. Villegas III/Released)