THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, 9 Aug

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2007) - The guided missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) steams into the sunset as storm clouds set in during exercise Valiant Shield 2007. Preble is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. The John C. Stennis, Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are participating in Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (August 08, 2007) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, launches off the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW) 11 are deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations participating in exercise Valiant Shield 2007. Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in recent history, includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft, and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2007) - Fire Controlman 1st Class Matthew Forrest sits as missile system supervisor in the Combat Information Center aboard the guided missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77). O'Kane is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group participating in Valiant Shield 2007. The John C. Stennis, Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are participating in Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more the 280 aircraft and more then 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph R. Vincent (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 7, 2007) - Electrician's Mate Seaman Nastasia Andreanoff operates a 2” inch fire hose during repair locker training on the flight deck of the guided missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77). O'Kane is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group participating in Valiant Shield 2007. The John C. Stennis, Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are participating in Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more the 280 aircraft and more then 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph R. Vincent (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2007) - Sailors watch from the catwalk as an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, launches off the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation participating in Valiant Shield 2007. Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in recent history, includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft, and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist David L. Smart (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2007) - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Anthony Coark directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, onto the catapult on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation participating in Valiant Shield 2007. Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in recent history, includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft, and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist David L. Smart (RELEASED)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 7, 2007) - Chief Hospital Corpsman Gaspare Corrao plays a guitar during a morale, welfare, and recreation division sponsored music night on the mess decks of the guided missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77). O'Kane is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. The John C. Stennis, Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are participating in Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more the 280 aircraft and more then 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph R. Vincent (RELEASED)