Ships of the Bataan Strike Group performed maritime security operations (MSO) Feb. 25 to March 1 in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. “Every ship in the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is actively engaged in MSO,” said Cmdr. Timothy Spratto, Bataan Strike Group chief staff officer. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. “We’ll partner with regional allies or multinational coalition forces to supoort security in various regions,” said Cmdr.