MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 29, 2024) Culinary Specialist 1st Class Tawny Rector, right, and Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Isaiah Climes, serve cake at a commemorative birthday celebration on the ship's messdecks aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), July 29. Wasp is conducting operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations as the flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC). The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is on a schedule deployment to the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Eric Moser)