Persian Gulf (Jan. 3, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat launches off the bow of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosevelt and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) are underway during a regularly scheduled deployment, providing close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces, and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Nathan Laird