U.S. Marines embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) participate in small boat operations with the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in the Mediterranean Sea on May 7, 2011. The Mesa Verde, part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, deployed to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet's area of responsibility.