Secretary of the Navy

130118-O-GR159-001 NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Jan. 18, 2013) Two F-35 Lightning II carrier variants complete an aerial refueling for the first time. Test pilots Navy Lt. Christopher Tabert and Dan Canin fly CF-1 and CF-2 respectively, with a KC-130 from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. This was the first dual aerial refueling for the F-35C. The F-35C carrier variant of the Lightning II is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2014. The F-35C is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River before delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe)

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130125-N-ZZ999-001 PORT HERA NAVY BASE, Timor-Leste (Jan. 25, 2013) U.S. Ambassador Judith Fergin addresses members of the U.S. and Timorese Navies during the opening ceremonies of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Timor-Leste exercise. CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. (U.S. Navy photo by Prudencio Cabral/Released)

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130124-N-ZZ999-001 SULU SEA (Jan. 24, 2013) Malaysian tug Vos Apollo, foreground, prepares for de-fueling operations near the grounded mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) while a U.S. Navy small boat approaches with a salvage team. The U.S. Navy contracted Vos Apollo to assist with removing fuel from Guardian, which ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea on Jan. 17. No fuel has leaked since the grounding and all of the approximately 15,000 gallons onboard Guardian was safely transferred to Vos Apollo during two days of controlled de-fueling operations on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. The U.S. Navy continues to work in close cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy to safely remove Guardian from the reef while minimizing environmental effects. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Air Crewmen 3rd Class Geoffrey Trudell/Released)

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130124-N-SN160-195 EL CENTRO, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2013) Lt. Nate Barton, left wing pilot, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, from Hummelstown, Pa., references checkpoints while flying in formation with the right wingman over Shadetree Range, near El Centro, Calif., during a training sortie. The Blue Angels are currently conducting winter training where pilots must complete 120 practice flights before kicking off the 2013 air show season at Naval Air Facility El Centro March 16. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Lindsey/Released)

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130124-N-PW661-015 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 24, 2013) Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jeffery Manuel cleans and inspects the tail rotor of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise in preparation for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Rob Aylward/Released)

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130123-N-SB587-523 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 23, 2013) A landing craft air cushion from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is conducting amphibious squadron and Marine expeditionary unit integration in preparation for a scheduled deployment this spring. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released)

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130124-N-DU438-082 SASEBO, Japan (Jan. 23, 2013) Sailors heave a line on the fantail during sea and anchor detail aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Betsy Knapper/Released

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130123-N-DI878-086 CORNANDO, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2013) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Juan Pantoja and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Jesus Ibarra install a nose gear launch assembly aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is currently pierside at Naval Air Station North Island undergoing planned incremental availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Giovanni Squadrito/Released)

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130101-N-OY799-085 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 1, 2013) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Cory Colleary retrieves a hold back bar after a successful launch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)

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130122-N-ZZ999-061 SULU SEA (Jan. 22, 2013) The mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) sits aground on the Tubbataha Reef. Operations to safely recover the ship while minimizing environmental effects are being conducted in close cooperation with allied Philippines Coast Guard and Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Geoffrey Trudell/Released)

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130123-N-ZZ999-027 SULU SEA (Jan. 22, 2013) U.S. Navy salvage assessment team members board the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5). The ship ran aground on Tubbataha Reef on Jan. 17. Operations to safely recover the ship while minimizing environmental effects are being conducted in close cooperation with allied Philippines Coast Guard and Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Geoffrey Trudell/Released)

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130122-N-TH437-053 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Jan. 22, 2013) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Jamie Vittorio investigates a space during a general quarters drill aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as part of a bi-monthly readiness exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to train Sailors to safely fight the ship as Theodore Roosevelt prepares to rejoin the operational fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Lockwood/Released)

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130122-N-TR165-051 EVERETT, Wash. (Jan. 22, 2013) Seaman Van Le and Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Joseph Janelle prepare to throw out a line mooring the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Ford (FFG 54). Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) helped with line handling from the pier as Ford set sail for a training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Cousins/Released)

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130122-N-DI878-326 CORONADO, Calif. (Jan, 22 2012) Sailors assigned to the air department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conduct medical training during a flight deck fire drill. Carl Vinson is currently pierside at Naval Air Station North Island undergoing Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Giovanni Squadrito/Released)

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130122-N-ED185-050 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Jan. 22, 2013) Sailors assigned to Repair Locker 3 fight a simulated fire during a general quarters drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as part of a bi-monthly readiness exercise to train Sailors to safely fight the ship as Theodore Roosevelt prepares to rejoin the operational fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released)

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130119-N-KG407-351 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 19, 2013) Two F/A-18C Hornets execute a simultaneous launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during carrier qualifications. Harry S. Truman is underway conducting composite training unit exercise in preparation for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kameren Guy Hodnett/Released)

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