(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Singley)

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Crishtian Taylor, from Duluth, Ga., observes an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.