200918-N-NH257-1037 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Sept. 18, 2020) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) steam in formation during a Strait of Hormuz transit, Sept. 18, 2020. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. With Nimitz as the flagship, deploying strike group assets include staff, ships, and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 11, Destroyer Squadron 9, Princeton and Carrier Air Wing 17. Philippine Sea is assigned to Combined Taskforce 50, led by Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Elliot Schaudt)