GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 1, 2019) Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) hook cargo to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the Proud Warriors of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 during a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), not pictured. Lassen is part of the East Coast Surface Action Group and is operating in 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 Paci?c through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tamara Vaughn)