170722-N-AX638-0203 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (July 22, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) fires its Mk. 38 Mod. 2 machine gun during a live-fire exercise. Howard is 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 Tyler Preston/Released)