171004-N-XL056-273 ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 4, 2017) Sailors and Marines perform a push back on an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Death Rattlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 on the flight deck the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. While in this region, the ship and its carrier strike group are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leon Wong/Released)