190815-M-QS181-1009 ARTA BEACH, Djibouti (Aug. 15,

190815-M-QS181-1009 ARTA BEACH, Djibouti (Aug. 15, 2019) Lt. Col. Gary Thompson, left, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), greets the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti, Larry André. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th MEU are 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. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Monty/Released)