MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 19, 2023) Ensign Daniel Enriquez, left, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Lt. j.g. Branson Bitzer, from Brighton, Tennessee, monitor surface contacts aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) during routine operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. Thomas Hudner is part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and is currently operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, at the direction of the Secretary of Defense. The U.S. maintains forward-deployed, ready, and postured forces to deter aggression and support security and stability around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Klineizquierdo)