Coat Guard Cutter Wrangell, US Coast Guard Photo

NORTH ARABIAN GULF-- The Coat Guard Cutter Wrangell (WPB 1332) encounters heavy sea's during their patrol in the North Arabian Gulf, November 20. The Wrangell is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to assist with Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complements the counterterrorism and security efforts in regional nations' littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Derek Day