PHILIPPINE SEA (June 9, 2024) Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jacob Mason, right, from Moundsville, West Virginia, and Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Jason Tagita, from Twentynine Palms, California, signal to a shooter to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, from the flight deck aboard the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during flight operations in support of Valiant Shield 2024 in the Philippine Sea, June 9. The Eagles conduct carrier-based air strikes and strike force escort missions, as well as ship, battle group, and intelligence collection operations. Exercises such as Valiant Shield allow the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal)