THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Ronald Reagan, July 20, 2009

AFGHANISTAN (July 7, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 conducts an Operation Enduring Freedom mission over southern Afghanistan. VFA-113 is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Commander Erik Etz.)

PAKISTAN (July 7, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 flies north to an Operation Enduring Freedom Mission in Afghanistan to support coalition forces in the Helmand River Valley. VFA-113 is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Erik Etz.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 14, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Nathan Scharf communicates with arresting gear engine rooms as he looks at the arresting gear primary flight control screen in the primary flight control tower aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 15, 2009) Royal Australian Navy Commodore David J. Gwyther, commander, Northern Command, is rendered honors by rainbow sideboys aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Gwyther is aboard the ship to meet with Commanding Officer Capt. David A. Lausman. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole/Released) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 14, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Fist of the Fleet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25, makes an arrested recovery aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 14, 2009) An aviation machinist's mate, assigned to the eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115), carries a turn screen across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during flight operations. A turn screen is used to protect aircraft engines from ingesting debris during engine operational checks. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 14, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, launches from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 16, 2009) An F/A 18C Hornet assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 launches off the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) is underway alongside. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 13, 2009) Actor D.B. Sweeney signs autographs for Sailors in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Sweeney visited Ronald Reagan with four other celebrities during the USO Summer Troop Visit. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Briana C. Brotzman.)

ARABIAN SEA (July 7, 2009) Two F/A-18 Super Hornets fly in synchronization around the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a recovery cycle. Ronald Reagan is currently deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Torrey W. Lee.)

GULF OF OMAN (July 13, 2009) Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, hands out his coin to Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Adm. Mullen was aboard Ronald Reagan to thank the crew for their service and operational support. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac.)

AFGHANISTAN (July 7, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 conducts an Operation Enduring Freedom mission over the Helmand River Valley in southern Afghanistan. VFA-113 is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Erik Etz.)