Sailors prepare to lower a ridged hull inflatable boat aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Mesa Verde sailors and Marines assigned to 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) are deployed supporting maritime security operations, providing crisis response capability, increasing theater security cooperation and a forward naval presence in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Phylicia A. Hanson/Released)