GULF OF ADEN Sailors from the Deck Department transport supplies during a connected replenishment from Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Essex is the flagship for the Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.