MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 28, 2023) Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) participate in a basketball tournament during a steel beach picnic hosted by the command's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Association in the hangar bay, Oct. 28, 2023. Mesa Verde and 26th MEU(SOC) are deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet arear of operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mailani Jones)