THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower, May 4, 2009

PERSIAN SEA (May 3, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron 131 launches from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during flight operations. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (US Navy photo by Bradley Evans.)

PERSIAN SEA (May 3, 2009) Sailors from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's air department replace the catapult slot seal after a successful aircraft launch during flight operations. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (US Navy photo by Bradley Evans.)

MIDDLE EAST (April 29, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Jolly Rogers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 refuels in flight with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 over Afghanistan during a mission supporting coalition forces. VFA-103 is part of Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway on a scheduled deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (US Navy photo by Lt. Charlie Escher.)

MIDDLE EAST (April 29, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Jolly Rogers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 breaks away from his wingman during a close air support mission supporting coalition forces over Afghanistan. VFA-103 is part of Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway on a scheduled deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Charlie Escher.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 28, 2009) Three U.S. Navy ships sharing the same hull number, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), are underway in formation in the Arabian Sea. The three ships are underway supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 26, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) operates in the Arabian Sea displaying signal flags that read, "IKE, CVN 69, GR8R EACH DAY." The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway on a scheduled deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 25, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) operates in the Arabian Sea before the first aircraft launch of the day. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway on a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 24, 2009) Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa-Medina steps off elevator 3 during a swim call aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Dick.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 23, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) sort 32,000 pounds of mail during a replenishment at sea. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shonna Cunningham.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Cassandra Carpenter signals aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a vertical replenishment. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 4, 2009) Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Colin Powers and Store Keeper Seaman Daniel Daily sweep a room for suspects during Armed Sentry\Ships Reaction Force Basic (AS\SRFB), a required training for all security personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shonna Cunningham.)

ARABIAN SEA (April 2, 2009) The guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) performs maneuvers alongside the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Dick.)