An AV-8B Harrier rests on the flight deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan as the ship passes under the Mubarak Peace Bridge while transiting the Suez Canal to depart U.S Naval Central Command area of responsibility. Bataan, commanded by Capt. Rick Snyder, left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 4. on a regularly scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group in support of maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts in regional nations' littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct maritime operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tommy E. Lamkin Jr.
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