ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 4, 2020) Capt. Todd Whalen, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 speaks to the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) over the ship�s general announcing system. John Paul Jones is part of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and DESRON 9 and 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 Aja Bleu Jackson)