THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Ronald Reagan; Nov. 9, 2008

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 5, 2008) F/A-18C Hornets assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 fly above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) before their final approach to make an arrested landing. While in its fighter mode the Hornet is used primarily for escort and fleet air defense. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Erik Etz.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 6, 2008) Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Laura Vasher stick welds metal aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Hull maintenance technicians receive special training on different types of welds and brazing. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oliver Cole.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 9, 2008) Petty Officer 3rd Class Von Lawrence Alboano uses window wax on the windows of a E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, parked in the hummer hole on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Window wax is used as a cleaner and window protector for aircraft windows and canopies. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 52 million square miles, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. (Photographer: Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary Prill, Navy Visual News Service.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 9, 2008) Airman Matthew Childers stands at the ready in front of his aircraft, an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron 115. Once a plane captain has completed all their preflight checks they will stands in front of his aircraft signaling to the aircraft handlers that it is ready to be moved. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 52 million square miles, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. (Photographer: Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary Prill, Navy Visual News Service.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 9, 2008) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 completes its launch off the number 4 catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Though many of Ronald Reagan Sailors are enjoying their well deserved day off the flight deck crew is manning up every few hours for a full day of flight operations. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 52 million square miles, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. (Photographer: Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary Prill, Navy Visual News Service.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 9, 2008) An F/A-18E Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 begins its launch off the number 3 catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Though many of Ronald Reagan Sailors are enjoying their well deserved day off the flight deck crew is manning up every few hours for a full day of flight operations. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 52 million square miles, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. (Photographer: Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary Prill, Navy Visual News Service.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 3, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 launches off of the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 3, 2008) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) stands by as plane guard for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the sun sets over the horizon. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 9, 2008) Three F/A 18F Super Hornets assigned to the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 sit side by side on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. The Super Hornet provides the carrier strike group with a strike fighter that has significant growth potential and increased range, endurance and ordnance-carrying capabilities. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 52 million square miles, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. (Photographer: Seaman Aaron Holt, Navy Visual News Service.)

SINGAPORE (Oct. 29, 2008) Sailors assigned to the colors detail lower the Navy Jack on the bow of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a scheduled port visit to Singapore. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 3, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 prepares to launch off of the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott.)

INDIAN OCEAN (Oct. 22, 2008) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and two ships from the Indian navy's Western Fleet sail in formation during a passing exercise (PASSEX). The PASSEX symbolized the completion of exercise Malabar 08. Malabar was designed to increase cooperation between the Indian and U.S. Navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the U.S. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call.)