ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 24, 2021) A Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27) during deck landing qualifications. Portland 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 Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alexis Flores)