THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS George Washington, June 19, 2009

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 18, 2009) Chief Warrant Officer James Edwards, air department training team coordinator, briefs Sailors on proper fire fighting methods on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is underway on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 10, 2009) Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship departs on her first summer deployment since arriving at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 18, 2009) Sailors assigned to the air department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) simulate fighting an aircraft fire during a general quarters drill. George Washington is underway on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 17, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Golden Dragons of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 flies with an Air Force F-22 Raptor from the 525th Fighter Squadron. VFA-192 is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is underway on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John M. Hageman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 11, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) participate in a general quarters drill in the ship's hangar bay. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean during her first summer deployment since becoming the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rachel N. Clayton.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 12, 2009) Lt. Marc Henderson, a Shooter aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), gives the signal to launch an F/A-18C Hornet from the Golden Dragons, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 off the bow catapult during flight operations. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the Western Pacific ocean, while on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan since becoming the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 13, 2009) Sailors assigned to the "Chargers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14 perform maintenance on an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean during her first summer deployment since becoming the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 13, 2009) The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) pulls alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a replenishment-at-sea. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean during her first summer deployment since becoming the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Mike.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 13, 2009) Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Jeremy Fortaleza, left, and Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman John Sexton pressure wash the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN73). George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean during her first summer deployment since becoming the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2009) Sailors battle a simulated helicopter fire in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a general quarters drill. George Washington successfully completed a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in preparation for its first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K.Thomas.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2009) Marines from Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC) participate in a live-fire exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington completed a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in preparation for its first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas.)