Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella

Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf observe a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe. Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.