English: 070601-N-1467R-004 SUEZ CANAL (June 1, 2007) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport (LPD 12) follow the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) while transiting the Suez Canal to depart U.S. Naval Central Command area of responsibility. Bataan, commanded by Capt. Rick Snyder, left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 4. on a regularly scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group in support of maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts in regional nations’ littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct maritime operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.