171102-N-AC254-142 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Nov. 2, 2017) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 23 transports cargo from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) onto the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP). America is the flagship for the America Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to 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 2nd Class Alexander Ventura II/Released)