THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Nimitz; Aug. 6, 2009

SAN DIEGO (July 31, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 depart San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 3, 2009) Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Frost uses a telescopic alidade to find surface and air contacts while on watch in the pilot house of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently underway for a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 3, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Ira Baratt and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Amy Landa, both assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, lift an inert bomb into position under the wing of an F/A-18 Super Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are underway on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2009) Rear Adm. John W. Miller, commander of Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG) 11, performs a pre-flight inspection of an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked CVW-11 are on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2009) Capt. Michael Manazir, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Capt. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, render salutes during a burial at sea on the flight deck of Nimitz while underway off the coast of California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

SAN DIEGO (July 31, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) man the rails as Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 depart San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

SAN DIEGO (July 29, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 transits into San Diego prior to mooring at Naval Air Station North Island. Nimitz is preparing for a 2009 regularly scheduled Western Pacific Deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 27, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 makes an arrested landing during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz(CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting operations 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 Peter Merrill.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 27, 2009) Operations Specialist 3rd Class Wendy Rambo identifies air contacts and issues queries to unknown aircraft approaching the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting operations 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 2nd Class Gregory A. Streit.)