NORFOLK (April 16, 2017) Sailors assigned to the color guard aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) retire the colors. Dwight D. Eisenhower is pierside during the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew J. Sneeringer/Released)
NORFOLK (April 14, 2017) The aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) pulls into Naval Station Norfolk for the first time. The first-of-class ship - the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years - spent several days conducting builder's sea trails, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Matt Hildreth courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries/Released)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 12, 2017) An EA-18G Growler from the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 "Guantlets" takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy Photo by Lt. Andrew DeGarmo/Released)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 12, 2017) An F/A 18C Hornet from the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 "Blue Blasters" takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown/ Released)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 9, 2017) Sailors prepare to attach chocks and chains to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) 4 during flight operations aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). The ship is on a western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend U.S. 3rd Fleet command and control functions into the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey L. Adams/Released)