THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Nimitz; April 12, 2008

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 12, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams ahead of the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) during a combined training exercise. The Nimitz and Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Groups are conducting combined training exercises in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau (Released)

HONG KONG (April 6, 2008) A night view of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong during a port visit by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 1, 2008) Sailors unload cargo in the hangar bay aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Concord (T-AFS 5). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Eduardo Zaragoza (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 9, 2008) Sailors stand by to fight a simulated fire during a flight deck drill aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. Operating off the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed fleets with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong. (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 2, 2008) Chocks are removed from an HH-60H Seahawk assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 6 during preparations for take off aboard the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 11, 2008) The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) approaches the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to conduct a replenishment-at-sea. Nimitz is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste (Released)

HONG KONG (April 3, 2008) Sailors aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) line up to go on liberty during a port visit to Hong Kong. Nimitz is currently operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 29, 2008) Marines assigned to the "Red Devils" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 clean an F/A-18A+ Hornet on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet and is conducting combined training exercises with the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Eduardo Zaragoza (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 31, 2008) Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Paul Portillo, assigned to the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, performs a pre-flight inspection on an EA-6B Prowler aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Eduardo Zaragoza (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 31, 2008) Sailors move an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 onto an elevator to lift the aircraft to the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 31, 2008) Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class John Lambert checks to ensure that ammunition is properly loaded into a .50-cal. rifle on the fantail of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 1, 2008) An AS-332 Super Puma helicopter transports supplies from the Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Concord (T-AFS 5) to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew J. Lanese (Released)