THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS George Washington, Oct. 22, 2009

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 19, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John M. Hageman.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 20, 2009) A towed target is sprayed by ammunition during a live-fire exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan L. Guimont.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 20, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Robert Haworth, assigned to the air department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) fires a .50-caliber machine gun at a towed target during a live-fire exercise. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 20, 2009) Hull Technician 2nd Class Jason Nicholson demonstrates how to don an MCU-2P chemical, biological, and radiological protective mask to Hull Technician Fireman Apprentice Sara Bingham during a general quarters drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mike Mulcare.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct.18, 2009) Gunner's Mate Seaman La'kesha Hartsfield, assigned to the weapons department of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), uses an M-14 rifle to shoot a messenger line to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) during a replenishment at sea. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Apprentice Marcos Vazquez.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 17, 2009) A plane captain cleans an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob D. Moore.)

YELLOW SEA (Oct. 13, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits behind the Republic of Korea guided-missile destroyer SeJong the Great (DDG KDX 991), along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), the Republic of Korea destroyer Kang Jan Chan (DDH 979) and the guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Shiloh (CG 67) during a bilateral exercise. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the Yellow Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart.)

YELLOW SEA (Oct. 13, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), middle, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) transit behind the Republic of Korea guided-missile destroyer SeJong the Great (DDG KDX 991) during a bilateral exercise. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the Yellow Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 17, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Nathaniel Corron cleans a pylon on an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Golden Dragons, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob D. Moore.)

YELLOW SEA (Oct. 13, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and the Republic of Korea navy Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG KDX 991) are underway in the Yellow Sea during a bilateral exercise. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 13, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 catches the #2 arresting wire aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during routine flight operations. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Harrington.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 9, 2009) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Justin Lane stands life buoy watch on the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to land. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob D. Moore.)