GULF OF MEXICO (Jan. 6, 2022) Sailors from U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and staff from Naval Oceanographic Office cast a Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) instrument from the Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60) to measure the conductivity, temperature, and pressure of seawater. CTD gives scientists a precise and comprehensive charting of the distribution and variation of water temperature, salinity, and density that helps to understand how the oceans affect life. The Pathfinder is the oldest of six ships in the Pathfinder Class, and is named for Matthew Fontaine Maury, "Pathfinder of the Seas" and "Father of Modern Oceanography and Naval Meteorology." The ship was delivered to the Navy in October of 1994 and has completed over 250 survey missions. U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Bobby Dixon)