040919-N-8704K-002 Arabian Gulf (Sept. 19, 2004) - Two Naval Aviators assigned to the “Diamond Cutters” of Sea Control Squadron Three Zero (VS-30) complete pre-flight checks of their S-3B Viking prior to launch aboard the conventionally-powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). S-3B Aircraft are tasked by the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commanders to provide Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), surface surveillance and intelligence collection, electronic warfare, mine warfare, coordinated search and rescue, and fleet support missions including air wing tanking. Kennedy and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17) are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Units in the Kennedy Carrier Strike Group are working closely with Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Iraqi forces to bring stability to the sovereign government of Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 3rd Class Joshua Karsten (RELEASED)
040915-N-9593M-011 Pacific Ocean (Sept. 15, 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Red Devils” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Two Three Two (VMFA-232) launches from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with a flash of fire caused by unburned jet fuel. Lincoln and embarked Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are currently conducting operations in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Philip A. McDaniel (RELEASED)
040919-N-8704K-004 Arabian Gulf (Sept. 19, 2004) - An S-3B Viking assigned to the “Diamond Cutters” of Sea Control Squadron Three Zero (VS-30), maneuvers the Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) drogue into position prior to refueling another S-3B Viking assigned to VS-30. S-3B Aircraft are tasked by the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commanders to provide Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), surface surveillance and intelligence collection, electronic warfare, mine warfare, coordinated search and rescue, and fleet support missions including air wing tanking. Kennedy and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17) are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Units in the Kennedy Carrier Strike Group are working closely with Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Iraqi forces to bring stability to the sovereign government of Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 3rd Class Joshua Karsten (RELEASED)
040918-N-6371Q-036 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Sept. 18, 2004) - Line handlers assigned to USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), stand at parade rest as the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) makes her way to the pier. Wasp returned to Norfolk, Va., following a seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Wasp-led Expeditionary Strike Group Two (ESG-2) was the first East Coast ESG to deploy. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Orlando Quintero (RELEASED)