150219-N-RB546-260 ARABIAN GULF (Feb. 19, 2015) Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Thoren Pond watches as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, from the Desert Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, takes off from the flight deck of guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57). Mitscher is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony R. Martinez/Released)