GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 11, 2021) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Thomas Schnell signals to a Pakistani Sea King as it takes off of the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) during a passing exercise in the Gulf of Oman. Pearl Harbor 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 the Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sang Kim)