PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 28, 2021) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, prepares to launch off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2021, Nov. 28, 2021. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise conducted by naval elements of the Royal Australian, Royal Canadian, German, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. navies to demonstrate naval interoperability and a joint commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Micheal Mensah)