THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Nimitz, Sept. 19, 2009

INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2009) Alert aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) move into position for launch. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are underway on a scheduled 2009 deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn.)

PACIFC OCEAN (Sept. 1, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) navigates between thunderstorms during a transit of the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Graham.)

INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) recover the flight deck after launching alert aircraft. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are underway on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn.)

INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2009) An F/A 18F Hornet assigned to the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to refuel airborne alert fighters. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are underway on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn.)

INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2009) Newly pinned chief petty officers stand at attention in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the 2009 chief petty officer pinning ceremony. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed supporting the U.S. Navy maritime strategy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

BAY OF BENGAL (Sept. 14, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Seth Houston, assigned to the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, inspects and cleans a BRU-32 bomb rack in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

BAY OF BENGAL (Sept. 14, 20009) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) fight a simulated fire during a mass causality drill in the ship'shanger bay. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr.)

BAY OF BENGAL (Sept. 14, 2009) Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Katherine Knipfer and Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jason Nieva, assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, prepare to re-install the propeller assembly of an E-2C Hawkeye in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn.)

BAY OF BENGAL (Sept. 12, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepare aircraft for flight operations during a transit of the Strait of Malacca. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 1, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) clean the flight deck after a tropical rain shower. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil.)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Aug. 28, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departs from Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Michael R. Mulcare.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2009) Two HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters, assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS 6), fire live AGM-114 Hellfire missiles at Oki Daito Jima range. HS-6 is a part of Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Graham.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2009) Two HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters, assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, fly in formation to a live fire exercise on Oki Daito Jima range. HS-6 is a part of Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Graham.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2009) Sailors assigned to the colors detail fold the national ensign on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are on a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn.)