PACIFIC OCEAN, (June 22, 2006) â A plane captain from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 the "Dambusters," prepares the cockpit of an F/A-18C Hornet during recovery operations on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is currently participating in Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area June 19-23, the exercise includes 28 Naval vessels including three carrier strike groups. Nearly 300 aircraft and approximately 22,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are also participating in the exercise. Official U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Stephen W. Rowe
