An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Carrier Airwing

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Carrier Airwing (CVW) 9, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) alongside the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Arabian Sea, Dec. 14, 2018. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jake Greenberg)