160818-N-VH385-311 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2016) Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Christopher Hilger, from St. Louis, prepares the catapults for flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is underway with the embarked Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, which is conducting its third and final developmental test (DT-III) phase of the F-35C Lightning II carrier variant. The F-35C is expected to be Fleet operational in 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wyatt L. Anthony)