THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS George HW Bush, May 23, 2009

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 21, 2009) Sailors assigned to the Air Department of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) are silhouetted against the setting sun at the conclusion of flight operations. George H.W. is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, piloted by Lt. Patrick McKenna and Cmdr. Beau Duarte, became the first aircraft to be catapulted from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 20, 2009) Sailors assigned to the deck department of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) are lifted out of the water in a rigid hull inflatable boat after retrieving "Oscar," a rescue-training mannequin, during a man overboard drill. Bush is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer L Jaqua.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 passes by the landing signal officer on the way to making the first arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 makes the first arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) Air Department personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) prepare an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 for launch during the first day of flight operations. George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique J. Moore.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 makes one of the first arrested landings aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique J. Moore.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 8, 2009) Intelligence Specialist Seaman Joe Johnson, left, and Yeoman 3rd Class Lopez Ortiz launch a Nixie torpedo countermeasure device during the second day of acceptance trials aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas Hall.)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 7, 2009) Sailors assigned to the air department of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) test the ship's catapult systems during acceptance trials. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer L. Jaqua.)