An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 22 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 21, 2011.

The Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are underway on a western Pacific deployment.

DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans, U.S. Navy