U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander, U.S. Central Command, and CENTCOM leaders arrive on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge 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. Army photo by Sgt. Franklin Moore)