ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 22, 2021) Lt. Cmdr. Holly Schmidt, the family medicine surgeon assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), provides medical care for a simulated casualty during a mass casualty exercise aboard the ship. Essex and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit 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 and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Israel Chincio)