THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Nimitz, June 7, 2009

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2009) An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 makes an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 4, 2009) Sailors scrub the flight deck during a fresh water scrub down aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after completing flight operations. Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Amara R. Timberlake.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2009) An aircraft director guides an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, onto catapult one aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) An SH-60F Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 lifts palettes from the deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during a replenishment at sea with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Amara R. Timberlake.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 launches off the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) A Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate guides an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 into place on catapult three aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) A plane director guides an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 toward the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 27, 2009) An Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) launches from Sea Sparrow mount 2 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are a conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 15, 2009) Sailors assigned to the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 clean the cockpit windows of an EA-6B Prowler aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 11, 2009) Dolphins jump the wake in front of the Military Sealift Command fast-combat support ship USNS Rainer (T-AOE 7) during an ammunition onload with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is conducting operations off the coast of Southern California preparing for a scheduled Deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Mark Sashegyi.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 24, 2009) Marines and Sailors assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) clean an F/A-18D Hornet aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). VMFAT-101 is aboard Nimitz conducting carrier qualifications for the squadron F/A-18 Hornet pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Lemieux.)