STRAIT OF HORMUZ (March 22, 2021) Lt. j.g. Jacob Vehrs, left, discuss maritime traffic with Lt. j.g. Joseph Lupinski in the pilothouse of the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) as the ship transits the Strait of Hormuz. The 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 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 2nd Class Indra Beaufort)