RED SEA (Jan. 9, 2024) Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Valentino Laboy, left, and Retail Specialist 3rd Class Jerico Santos man a .50-caliber machine gun as the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) prepares to transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, Jan. 9, 2024. Laboon is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of operations to help ensure maritime security in the Middle East region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alice Husted)