170507-N-HQ940-098 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (May 7, 2017) The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) pulls into Aqaba, Jordan for exercise Eager Lion 2017. The annual exercise with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is designed to exchange military expertise and improve interoperability among partner nations. The ship and its ready group are deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas Frank Cottone/Released)