170718-N-UE100-0025 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (July 18, 2017) Sailors and Marines enjoy a special July birthday meal on the mess decks of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan and its ready group are deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations 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 Caleb Strong/Released)