170330-N-FT110-080 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 30, 2017) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The ship and it's 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 D’Andre L. Roden/Released)