At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Apr. 24, 2002 -- Flight deck personnel prepare F/A-18 “Hornet” strike fighter aircraft for the next round of flight operations.

At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Apr. 24, 2002 -- Flight deck personnel prepare F/A-18 “Hornet” strike fighter aircraft for the next round of flight operations. Kitty Hawk is providing a forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region, conducting training and exercises with its regional allies. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class John E. Wood. (RELEASED)