Jason R Zalasky News

Nov. 19, 2008, sailors from the visit, board, search, and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conduct compliant boarding training aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168). Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky)

Pirates holding the crew of the Chinese fishing vessel FV Tian Yu 8 guard the crew Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 as the ship passes through the Indian Ocean. The ship was attacked Nov. 16 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali coast. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky. (Source: Navy News Service)

The crew of the merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck of the ship after a U.S. Navy request to check on their health and welfare. The Belize-flagged cargo ship, owned and operated by , was seized by pirates Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali coast. The ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related military equipment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky. (Source: Navy News Service)