210707-N-WP865-1012 GULF OF ADEN (July 7, 2021) – An MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), prepares to launch as an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft approaches the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during flight operations in the Gulf of Aden, July 7. Iwo Jima is deployed to the 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 strategic choke points.

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Photo credit: © Operation 2021 / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: 24th, 4, amphibious, iwo, iwoarg, jima, lhd-7, meu, phibron-4, squadron