ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 22, 2020) An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jose Madrigal)