190204-N-AT530-1244 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS

190204-N-AT530-1244 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Feb. 4, 2019) – Operations Specialist 2nd Class Monty Montanez cleans a line during a fresh-water wash down aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). Fort McHenry is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the central region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Roys/Released)