ARABIAN SEA (Sept. 14, 2021) Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andrea Thomas conducts an ultrasound on a simulated casualty during a mass casualty exercise aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27). Portland and the 11th MEU are 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. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alexis Flores)