Valiant Shield 2006

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 22, 2006) – An aircraft director signals an F/A-18C Hornet to taxi to the No. 3 catapult in preparation for launch during night flight operations aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The Hornet is an all-weather, attack aircraft that can also be used as a fighter. 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 involves 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. U.S. Navy photograph by Photographer's Mate Airman Benjamin Dennis.