MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 26, 2023) Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG, greets U.S. Army Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, Israeli Lt. Gen. Hertzi Halevi, chief of the general staff, Israeli Defense Force, and key leadership of the region aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2, Jan. 26, 2023. Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise, led by U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Force, designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Juniper Oak 23-2 joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samuel Wagner)