THE TENSION: Photo Essay: Recent Imagery Aboard USS John S McCain

PHILLIPINE SEA (May 27, 2009) The guided-missile destroyers USS Chafee (DDG 90) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy ships BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11) and BRP Bienvenido Salting (PG 112) are underway in formation during exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2009. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brian Brannon.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (April, 11, 2009) Sen. John McCain administers the oath of enlistment to sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is leading a congressional visit to the western Pacific Ocean and took the opportunity to visit the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer which is named for his father and grandfather. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Vernon.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 17, 2009) An SH-60B helicopter stands by on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) after making an emergency landing due to poor visibility. McCain 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 (March 18, 2009) Line handlers aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) stand by as the ship approaches the Republic of Korea oiler ROKS Hwachon (AOE 59) for an underway replenishment. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and is underway supporting Exercise Foal Eagle 09. Foal Eagle is a joint exercise involving U.S. and Republic of Korea naval forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 18, 2009) The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) receives a fuel line from the Republic of Korea oiler ROKS Hwachon (AOE 59), during an underway replenishment. McCain, one of seven Arleigh Burke destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is underway in support of Exercise Foal Eagle 09, a joint exercise between the U.S. and ROK naval services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 4, 2009) Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) maneuver a recovered training torpedo after completing a torpedo exercise. McCain, one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is permanently forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

In this file photo, the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approaches the Kitty Hawk during a replenishment at sea RAS). (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom.)

In this 2008 file photo, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) operates with ships from the Indian navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in formation in Tokyo Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist John L. Beeman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 1, 2009) The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) fires its MK-45 five-inch gun system during a gunnery exercise. McCain, one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is currently serving as the flagship for exercise MultiSail. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 2, 2009) A large harbor tugboat assists the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) as it moors abreast of the guided-missile USS Hopper (DDG 70) as McCain returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka from a scheduled underway. McCain is one of seven guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 1, 2009) Search-and-Rescue Swimmer Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Antonio Rodriguez, from Los Angeles, signals he is ready to be lowered to line handlers during a forecastle recovery exercise aboard guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is one of seven guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 27, 2008) Line handlers assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) heave on the aft mooring lines as large harbor tugs assist the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) as it moors at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. McCain and Stethem are two of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2008) Sailors assigned to the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approach Australian Navy ship AORH Sirius (O 266) during a cross-training exercise with Sirius and HMAS Darwin. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2008) Australian Navy ship AORH Sirius (O 266) sends a fuel line to guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during an underway replenishment. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

MELBOURNE, Australia (Sept. 2, 2008) Cryptologic Technician (Collections) 3rd Class Brittany Gonzales, from Corpus Christi, Texas, delivers a posy bunch to a Royal Melbourne Hospital patient during a community outreach project conducted by Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). The ship's port visit to Melbourne is part of the Great White Fleet centennial anniversary celebration. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

SYDNEY, Australia (Aug. 20, 2008) The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approaches the Sydney Opera House as the ship prepares to enter Sydney Harbor for a scheduled port visit celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Great White Fleet. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (August 27, 2008) Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approach the ship in an Australian Navy rigid hull inflatable boat during a cross-training exercise. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 29, 2008) A rigid hull inflatable boat crew from the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) returns to the ship after successfully transferring personnel to the Fijian Coastal Patrol boat Levouka during an emergency medical evacuation. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) Hull Technician Fireman Branden Schmidt of Riverside, Calif., advances a hose during a flight deck firefighting evolution aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 15, 2008) Sailors assigned to the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approach the ship in a rigid hull inflatable boat during a training evolution. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 14, 2008) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Brent Johnson hoses down the forward close-in weapons system (CIWS) aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is deployed with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 13, 2008) Hull Technician 2nd Class Brian Yonkovich uses a naval firefighting thermal imager to search a space for hot spots during a main space fire drill aboard guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is deployed with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

FILE PHOTO - The guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) performs divisional tactics (DIVTACS) with the guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54). DIVTACS are tactical maneuvers practiced by multiple ships in unison. Currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Cowpens is a multi-mission, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine, long-range strike and anti-surface warfare combatant. (U.S. navy photo by Lt. Jeffery Jenkins.)

FILE PHOTO - Guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), foreground, followed by guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) underway replenishment oilier USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) shown in formation during the photo portion of Exercise Valiant Shield 2006. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces, enabling real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces and in detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Nicholas A. Galladora.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 9, 2008) Electrician Mate 1st Class Randy Flowe paints around shore power receptacles during Arleigh Burke-class-guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain's (DDG 56) upkeep period at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. McCain is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and permanently forward deployed to Yokosuka. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb 13, 2008) Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Fireman Jong Shin and Hull Technician 2nd Class Brian Yonkovich look for damage and use a naval firefighting thermal imager to find hot spots during a main space fire drill aboard the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is deployed with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

FILE PHOTO - A Sailor watches water burst up from the propellers of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during a full-power run. John S. McCain can reach speeds of more than 30 knots. John S. McCain is forward deployed and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Reckard.)

FILE PHOTO - The sun sets as Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) sails along side the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during a replenishment at sea (RAS). McCain is on a scheduled underway and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan.( U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Reckard.)

SYDNEY, Australia (Aug. 22, 2008) Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jim Rahmaan, from Fayetteville, N.C., tips-off the start of a basketball game with the Royal Australian Navy during the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain's (DDG 56) port visit to Sydney. McCain, one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, is in Sydney to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Great White Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) is named after John S. McCain, Jr. and John S. McCain, Sr., both Admirals in the United States Navy. They are respectively the father and grandfather of John S. McCain III, U.S. Senator representing Arizona and former Naval aviator Captain who endured five and a half years as a POW in the Vietnam War.