The 'Shooter' signals the pilot of an F-14-D Tomcat from Fighter Squadron 213 to bring his aircraft up to full throttle prior to being launched from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The Vinson is patrolling the Arabian Sea participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by PH1 Greg Messier, USN



The 'Shooter' gives the signal to launch as an F-14D Tomcat from Fighter Squadron 213 is pulled down the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson by a steam-powered catapult. Photo by PH1 Greg Messier, USN



An aviation ordnance man runs out from under an F-14D Tomcat after putting the safety pins back in unexpended ordnance so the aircraft can be safely moved around the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. Photo by PH1 Greg Messier, USN



As catapult steam rises around them, the catapult crew readies the launch area for the next aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. Photo by PH1 Greg Messier, USN



Flight deck personnel prepare an F-14D Tomcat from Fighter Squadron 213 for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. Photo by PH1 Greg Messier, USN

from http://www.defendamerica.mil