U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Jan. 16, 2021) A P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, attached to "The Fighting Tigers" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, deployed with Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57, takes off from a runway for a maritime domain awareness mission in the 5th Fleet area of operations. CTF 57 aircraft conduct missions in support of maritime operations to ensure stability, security, and the free flow of commerce in the Central Command area of responsibility, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean, encompassing three strategic chokepoints. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Juan S. Sua)