THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Ronald Reagan; Feb. 2, 2008

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2008) The pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Rough Riders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 salutes the catapult officer, or "shooter," before launching from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher D. Blachly (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Vikings" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 129 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2008) Two catapult officers, or "shooters," give the signal to launch an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher D. Blachly (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 15, 2008) Operations Specialist 3rd Class Dion Johnson talks on a sound-powered telephone on the bridge of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while the ship pulls into its homeport of San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aaron Holt (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan 15, 2008) Quartermaster 3rd Class Nicholas Rader charts a course on a map on the bridge of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while the ship pulls into its homeport of San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aaron Holt (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 14, 2008) U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps members from Santa Barbara, Calif., learn about the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan's (CVN 76) Combat Direction Center while on a guided tour of the ship. Ronald Reagan is underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer S. Kimball (RELEASED)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2008) Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Andrew Dorich, assigned to the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), describes his ribbons to a child while on liberty. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Kathleen Gorby (Released)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Jan 12, 2008) A jogger uses the bike path along Cabrillo Blvd. as the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), sits anchored offshore. Reagan Sailors are on a scheduled port visit to Santa Barbara, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Moriatis (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 9, 2008) An MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, lifts off the Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Flint (T-AE 32) during an ammunition on load with the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Brossard (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 9, 2008) A Sailor assigned to the Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Flint (T-AE 32) attaches a sling to an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during an ammunition on load with the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer S. Kimball (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 9, 2008) The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Flint (T-AE 32) steam alongside one another during an underway replenishment. Through connected and vertical replenishment, the two ships exchanged more than two million pounds of ordnance over a two-day period. Ronald Reagan is underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher D. Blachly (Released)