THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS George Washington, June 1, 2009

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 waits to launch on the opposite catapult. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John J. Mike.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Pablo Paredes prepares MK-76 inert bombs aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) Supply and deck department Sailors retrieve cargo from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a replenishment-at-sea. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) Supply and deck department Sailors transfer cargo in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), left, is underway alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) as Byrd conducts refueling at sea operations with the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Fitzgerald is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Luis Latorre, left. and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Robert McLendon monitor the charging panel of catapult three during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Johnathan Anderson, left, Aviation Machinistís Mate Howard Quintus and Aviation Machinist's Mate Matthew Mihali transfer an F/A-18 engine to a transport trailer aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 28, 2009) Sailors assigned to the Air department, V3 division aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) fight a simulated hangar bay aircraft fire during a general quarters drill. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rachel N. Clayton.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 22, 2009) A C2-A Greyhound assigned to the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment 5, approaches to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as four F/A-18 Hornets prepare to pass over the flight deck. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a combat operations efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 22, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Diamondbacks" assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a combat operations efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rachel N. Clayton.)