170222-N-BL637-009 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 22, 2017) Two F/A-18E Super Hornets assigned to the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 take off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The ship and its carrier strike group are on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)