171221-N-OW019-014 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 21, 2017) Marine Sgt. Evan Harris, right, and Sgt. Modesto Martinez, left, both assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), stand watch on the forecastle while the ship transits the Bab-Al Mendeb. Pearl Harbor, with the embarked 15th MEU, 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 3rd Class Logan C. Kellums/Released)