ARABIAN GULF (July 17, 2021) An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft prepares to take off from the flight deck of expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) during flight operations in the Arabian Gulf. Lewis B. Puller 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 strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)