THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS John C Stennis, May 6, 2009

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 launches from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 5, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during an airborne change of command. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 5, 2009) Two F/A-18C Hornets from the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during an airborne change of command. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Brandon Benedict, from Tulsa, Okla., performs final checks on an aircraft catapult prior to flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Steckler.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) During the airborne change of command of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, Cmdr. Jeffrey Czerewko pulls away from the three plane formation, transferring command of the squadron to Cmdr. Todd Marzano. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 fly over the mast of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during flight operations. Stennis and CVW 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)

SINGAPORE HARBOR, Singapore (April 24, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits Singapore harbor before mooring pier side at Changi Naval Base, Singapore. John C. Stennis is in Singapore for a scheduled port visit during a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Husman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 24, 2009) Quartermaster Seaman Britney Benigno, from Wichata Falls, Texas, stands the forward bearing watch on the island structure aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as it transits Singapore harbor before pier side at Changi Naval Base, Singapore. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Husman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Czerewko of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 is greeted by his plane captain Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Adedamola Durojaiye, from Baltimore, on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) prior to an airborne change of command. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)

SINGAPORE HARBOR, Singapore (April 24, 2009) Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Collin Naylor, from San Jose, Calif., stands a .50-caliber machine gun force protection watch aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the ship transits Singapore harbor. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Richard Smith, from Fort Worth, Texas, watches as an F/A-18C Hornet from the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 launches from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman.)