INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 10, 2021) Sailors prepare to remove chocks and chains from an MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Isaak Martinez)