An E-2C Hawkeye launches from one of four steam-powered catapults as an F/A-18 Hornet taxis into position on the busy flight deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) operating in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 2, 2004. The Nimitz is conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of southern California. The Hawkeye is assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117.

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Size: 1734px × 1153px
Photo credit: © Vital Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -2, -2c, 68, 117, archive, armed, catapult, cvn, cvn-68, defence, forces, hawkeye, iraq, launch, military, nimitz, reportage, samarra, servicemen, turn, usa, vaw, vaw-117, wallbangers, weapons