
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 waits to launch on the opposite catapult. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John J. Mike/Released)
