U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – Lance Cpl. Bruce

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – Lance Cpl. Bruce Lopezmoreno, a powerline mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Aviation Combat Element checks the fuel and water gauges on an AV-8B Harrier before flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Sept. 25, 2017. The Harrier has the ability to perform vertical and horizontal takeoffs and landings enabling it to operate aboard ships with little space for maneuver. The 15th MEU and America Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Pruitt)