AROUND WEST PHILIPPINEs SEA

WEST PHILIPPINES SEA (South China Sea) — An F/A 18E Super Hornet from the “Golden Dragons” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The ship and its carrier strike group are on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown)

WEST PHILIPPINES SEA (South China Sea) — An E-2C Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft assigned to the “Black Eagles” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113 flies over the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The ship and its carrier strike group are on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown)