ARABIAN GULF (June 20, 2022) Sailors raise a rigid-hull inflatable boat prior to small boat operations aboard the expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), during exercise Iron Defender in the Arabian Gulf. Iron Defender is an annual bilateral training event between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and forces from the United Arab Emirates. The exercise focuses on maritime security operations, mine countermeasures and harbor defense. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Frederick Poirier)