A Marine conducts maintenance on an AH-1Z Cobra helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in the Persian Gulf on March 4, 2012. The Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.