INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 7, 2022) Capt. Lenard Mitchell, commanding officer of the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4), center, Cmdr. Jason Beads, executive officer, left, and Command Senior Chief Terry Vines have a conversation on a weather deck while waiting to observe small boat operations, Dec. 7, 2022. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Conner D. Blake)