170522-N-AV754-0055 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (May 22, 2017) Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) cut a cake to celebrate May birthdays on the ship’s mess decks. Bataan and its amphibious 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 3rd Class Evan Thompson)