NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 14, 2021) The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE-9) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a replenishment-at-sea evolution. Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cheyenne Geletka)