ARABIAN SEA (July 4, 2021) Sailors prepare a catapult for aircraft recovery aboard aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during flight operations in the Arabian Sea. Ronald Reagan is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 5, 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 strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer)