GULF OF OMAN (May 24, 2023) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) conducts a photo exercise with the United Arab Emirates navy fast-attack craft UAEN Sagar (P 155) in the Gulf of Oman, May 24, 2023. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb. (U.S. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Juel Foster)