GULF OF OMAN (Jan. 16, 2021) Fire Controlman 3rd Class Ethan Pehlke fires a .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 16. Philippine Sea 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 Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort)