PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 23, 2008) Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Equipment) give a "good-to-go" sign before an F/A-18F Super Hornet.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 23, 2008) Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Equipment) give a "good-to-go" sign before an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is sailing off the coast of southern California conducting flight deck qualifications with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 for the first time. George Washington departed San Diego Aug. 21 en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony R. Martinez/Released)