190425-N-GD018-1021 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 25, 2019) An E-2D Hawkeye from the "Bluetails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to conduct a long-range strike exercise together with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, U.S. Air Force 603rd air Control Squadron and the Romanian Air Force. Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group (CSG )12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; as well as the Spanish navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amber Smalley/Released)