PERSIAN GULF (April 7, 2007) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Pukin' Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Angel Contreras

JOINT FORCE EXERCISE
U.S. Navy Airman Charlie Forshee, a plane captain assigned to the "Black Aces" of Attack Fighter Squadron 41, signals the pilot to start up the engine of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, Feb. 27, 2007, on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz , off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Specialist John Scorza