THE TENSION: Combat Camera: On Borard USS Abraham Lincoln; Feb. 24, 2008

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 26, 2008) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) guides the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a straits transit exercise. Ships and aircraft assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 are off the coast of Southern California participating in a joint task force exercise. U.S. Navy photo by IS1 Wayne Hamrick (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 28, 2008) U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Pfeffer, an aircraft shooter, stands watch in the catapult bubble control booth during flight operations on USS Abraham Lincoln while under way. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick M. Bonafede (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2008) A member of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) weapons department moves dummy missiles into place on the flight deck. Lincoln, and the rest of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is off the coast of Southern California conducting Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dennis P. Irwin (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 26, 2008) Ships assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, led by the guided missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) during a straits transit exercise. Ships and aircraft assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9are underway off the coast of Southern California participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 28, 2008) Aviation boatswain's mates (Equipment) from the air department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) lay down a rubber cover on a steam catapult track at the conclusion flight operations. Lincoln is participating in a joint task force exercise off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick M. Bonafede (Released)

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2008) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Dustin Waggener stands watch as part of a small craft action team on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as she passes a cruise ship. Lincoln is participating in a joint task force exercise off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 23, 2008) An E-2C Hawkeye, assigned to "Sun Kings" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, makes an arrested landing during flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is off the coast of Southern California participating in a joint task force exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 24, 2008) Lt. Jason Sparks stands watch as ship's weapons coordinator in the combat direction center aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is conducting flight operations as part of a joint task force exercise off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 27, 2008) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald Winter sits in the captain's chair on the bridge of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) while being briefed by Capt. Patrick Hall, commanding officer of Lincoln, about the capabilities of the ship. Winter visited Lincoln to observe the Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise that is part of a joint task force exercise being conducted off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Bonafede (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 26, 2008) Ships assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, led by the guided missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) during a straits transits exercise. Ships and aircraft assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 are underway off the coast of Southern California participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 27, 2008) Boatswain's Mate 1st Class William Geurin signals the SH-60F Seahawk carrying Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald Winter to a landing aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92). Winter visited Momsen with members of the press to observe steps being taken to mitigate the impact of sonar on marine mammals. Momsen is part of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group participating in a joint task force exercise off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)