151219-N-AX638-037 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 19, 2015) Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Ash Carter congratulates Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airman Alexandra Leon on her selection as Kearsarge's 2015 Blue Jacket of the Year selectee, during a visit aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Preston/Released)