PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) after completing a training mission as part of exercise Valiant Shield 2007. The John C. Stennis, Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are part of the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins
