170408-N-HD638-236 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 8, 2017) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 �Blue Blasters� launches from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled 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 aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown/Released)