Photoyage

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 6, 2008) Capt. John Aquilino, outgoing commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 banks an F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter over the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as he leaves incoming commander Capt. Alton Ross, to lead a formation of aircraft during a CVW 2 aerial change of command ceremony. Lincoln and CVW 2 are returning from a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)

PAKISTAN (Oct. 9, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 transits over the Pakistan coast. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are providing support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Commander Erik Etz/Released)

AFGHANISTAN (Oct. 9, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 transits over the desert of Southern Afghanistan. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are providing support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Commander Erik Etz/Released)

AFGHANISTAN (Dec. 7, 2009) F/A-18F Super Hornets assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), refuel from an Air Force KC-10 Extender tanker aircraft. An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Tophatters of VFA-14 flies starboard observation position on station over Afghanistan. The strike fighter squadrons are part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and are on a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Kyle Terwilliger/Released)

ARABIAN SEA (May 4, 2010) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Pukin Dogs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 catches the arresting cable on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed as a part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad R. Erdmann/Released)

AFGHANISTAN (Oct. 9, 2008) Several F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 await refueling with a British Royal Air Force L-1011 tanker aircraft in Southern Afghanistan. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are providing support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Commander Erik Etz/Released)

AFGHANISTAN (Oct. 9, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, holds in the port observation position on a British Royal Air Force L-1011 tanker aircraft while another Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 takes on fuel. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are providing support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Commander Erik Etz/Released)

AFGHANISTAN (Nov. 2, 2008) An F/A-18 Hornet from the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 flies over Afghanistan during routine operations. VFA-31 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is on a scheduled deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility and is focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Adam Cohen/Released)

United States - (May 31, 2003) An F-14D Tomcats assigned to the "Bounty Hunters" of Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2), heads back to its home base, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, after a successful seven month deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. In formation with the "Bounty Hunters" Tomcat, is their new aircraft, the F/A-18F Super Hornet. VF-2 will be transiting to the Super Hornet when they make a homeport change to Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. and will become Strike Fighter Squadron Two (VFA-2). U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

AFGHANISTAN (Nov. 5, 2008) A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender refuels an F/A 18 Hornet assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 while flying over Afghanistan supporting ongoing operations in the region. VFA-31 is deployed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8. Theodore Roosevelt is on a scheduled deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Adam Cohen (Released)

Pacific Ocean (June 14, 2005) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Bounty Hunters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two (VFA-2), conducts a training flight over the Pacific Ocean near the coast Southern California. The Super Hornet pictured is outfitted with an aerial refueling system (ARS) pod and drop tanks. The tanker-configured Super Hornet can carry more than 29,000 pounds of fuel including up to four external 480-gallon tanks and a 330-gallon ARS. The Super Hornet returns a tactical airborne tanker capability to the U.S. Navy's carrier air wings, last provided by the KA-6D/A-6E Intruder. VFA-2 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is at sea conducting readiness training in support of the Navy's Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Midshipman John Ivancic (RELEASED)

In the skies over Afghanistan (Oct. 31, 2001) -- An F/A-18 “Hornet” from the "Mighty Shrikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron Nine Four (VFA-94) fires flares during a training mission. Flares are part of the aircraft's defense against surface-to-air and air-to-air infra-red (IR) heat-seeking missile attacks. IR missiles follow a heat source. The heat created by the flare will hopefully burn hotter than the aircraft engine and attract the incoming missile away from the aircraft. VFA-94 is assigned to Carrier Airwing Eleven (CVW 11) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Steve Lightstone. (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (June 14, 2005) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Bounty Hunters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two (VFA-2), conducts a training flight over the Pacific Ocean near the coast Southern California. VFA-2 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is at sea conducting readiness training in support of the Navy's Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Midshipman John Ivancic (RELEASED)

Two F/A-18C "Hornets" from the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Three One (VFA-131) patrol the skies over the Arabian Gulf, March 25, 1996. VFA 131 is part of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7), currently embarked on board the U.S. Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). The George Washington is presently deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of UN-led sanctions against Iraq, under Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Tom Haeussler (Released)

Persian Gulf (Oct. 12, 2005) - An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Valions" of Strike Fighter Squadron Fifteen (VFA-15), conducts a mission over the Persian Gulf. VFA-15 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosevelt and CVW-8 are underway conducting a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rob Tabor (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (July 01, 2006) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA-115) performs an air power demonstration over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). VFA-115 is one of eight squadrons from Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) participating in the event. Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are currently on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kathleen Gorby (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (July 1, 2006) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA-115) conducts a high-speed pass of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a rehearsal for an air power demonstration. Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are currently on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique M. Lasco (RELEASED)