THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Ronald Reagan, Aug. 14, 2009

GULF OF OMAN (Aug. 2, 2009) Cmdr. Scott "Steamer" Raupp, executive officer of the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, waits to taxi an F/A-18C Hornet to the catapults on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Raupp relieving Cmdr. Erik "Rock" Etz as commanding officer of VFA 113 during and aerial change of command ceremony. 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.)

GULF OF OMAN (Aug. 7, 2009) Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Calvin Lawson helps sort through 21,000 pounds of mail in the hangar bay of 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 (Aug. 7, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the Gulf of Oman alongside the Military Sealift Command fast combat-support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) as they prepare for replenishment at sea. 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 (Aug. 5, 2009) Sailors clean and inspect an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the Cougars of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Prowler provides an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft, ground troops and ships by jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications. 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 (Aug. 5, 2009) Damage Controlman 3rd Class Michael Minotti uses a pecu cutting tool on a damaged lathe in the machine shop of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Members of the Ronald Reagan Flying Squad used the damaged lathe for training on emergency cutting procedures. 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.)

GULF OF OMAN (Aug. 1, 2009) An EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the Cougars of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, lands on the flight deck of 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 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy.)

GULF OF OMAN (Aug. 1, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class James Deguise makes sure the catapult is ready to launch an aircraft off of the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while Lt. Cmdr. Steven Thomas, the Shooter, gives the go-a-head sign. 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 (Aug. 1, 2009) Two Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 carry a bomb rack onto the flight deck of 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 (Aug. 1, 2009) Plane captains assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 clean their aircraft on the flight deck of 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 (Aug. 1, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class James Deguise gives a thumbs up to acknowledge that the catapult is ready to launch an aircraft off of the flight deck of 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 (Aug. 1, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Fist of the Fleet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 launches off of the flight deck of 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 (Aug. 7, 2009) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 flies over the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) during a replenishment at sea. Rainier is conducting a replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole.)

GULF OF OMAN (Aug. 1, 2009) A Sailor stands by waiting to chain down an aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during flight operations. 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 (Aug. 5, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). F/A-18 aircraft can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles, or both, and are interoperable not only with other aircraft and ships in the strike group, but also with our joint forces and those of our allies at sea and ashore. 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 (Aug. 2, 2009) Cmdr. Erik "Rock" Etz the commanding officer of the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, breaks away from formation during an aerial change of command over 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 (Aug. 1, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 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.)