160815-N-EH855-058 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 15, 2016) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Cody Gantte examines holdback bars during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Washington is hosting F-35C Lightning II carrier variants, assigned to the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, and the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, the Navy’s F-35C Fleet replacement squadron. VX-23 is conducting its third and final developmental test (DT-III) phase of the F-35C. VFA-101 is conducting its first carrier qualifications with the aircraft. The F-35C is expected to be Fleet operational in 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Mai)