The USS Cowpens (CG 63) leads the formation of USS
Lassen (DDG 82), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS
Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199)
in the Western Pacific Ocean on June 18, 2006,
to start exercise Valiant Shield 2006. The joint
exercise consists of 28 naval vessels including
three carrier strike groups and more than 300
aircraft and approximately 20,000 service members
from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and
Coast. DoD photo by Airman Benjamin Dennis, U.S. Navy.