THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Ronald Reagan; March 13, 2009

Lt. Hamish Kirkland observes the flight deck as an F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 113, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan's flight deck crew was in full motion, as Sailors participated in sea-trials with Carrier Air Wing 14. Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 is underway performing a sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Torrey Lee.)

Cmdr. J. J. Mann, the commanding officer of the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron 25, taxis his aircraft across the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan's flight deck crew after an arrested recovery. Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 14 flew aboard Ronald Reagan for their first sea trial since the ship's deployment in 2008. Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 are underway performing a sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Torrey Lee.)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Sehon watches over Petty Officer 1st Class Sancho Calimquin as he performs a final check on a F/A18-C Hornet before the aircraft is launched from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. A final checker makes all the appropriate check once a aircraft is on the catapult to assure it is prepared for launch. Ronald Reagan underway performing sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Torrey Lee.)

Landing Signal Officers watch as an F/A-18C Hornet prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Pilots and crews of Carrier Air Wing 14 participated in their first sea trial with Ronald Reagan since their Western Pacific Deployment in 2008. Ronald Reagan and CVW 14 are underway performing sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Torrey Lee.)

Sailors assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 watch flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Sailors must observe fight operations before working on the flight deck as part of their training. Ronald Reagan and CVW 14 is underway performing sustainment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy.)

An aircraft director signals an F/A- 18C Hornet assigned the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 to stop during flight operations aboard USS Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan and CVW 14 is underway performing sustainment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy.)

Quartermaster Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip Tufts charts the ships course on the bridge of USS Ronald Reagan as the ship pulls out of San Diego harbor. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing 14 is underway performing sustainment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy.)

Pilots aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan qualify and re-qualify for carrier based flight operations. This is the first time since Reagan's 2008 deployment Carrier Air Wing 14 has been aboard. Ronald Reagan and CVW 14 are underway conducting sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rosalie Garcia.)

Aviation boatswain's mate Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole Warren gives the position of aircraft landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in primary flight control (pri fly). Pri fly also tacks the aircraft as they touch-and-go, land, or maneuver around the flight deck. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing 14 are underway conducting sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rosalie Garcia.)

Captain John Breast, Air Boss aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, watches from primary flight control (pri fly) as aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 14, land during flight operations. Pri fly tracks aircraft as they touch-and-go, land or maneuver about the flight deck. Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 are underway conducting sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rosalie Garcia.)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Crystal Chambers loosens a bolt before conducting maintenance on the wing of an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 25 aboard USS Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing 14 are underway performing sustainment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Seaman Bill Larned.)