An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the Mighty Shrikes of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 94, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf, Dec. 21, 2017.

Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. – US Department of Defense

Classic image of an F-18 shrouded in steam from the catapult system creates a surreal environment on a US Navy aircraft carrier. With the advent of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) being used on the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford one day in the not too distant future images such as this will be no more.

Navy photo by Seaman Michael A. Colemanberry

FA-18F Super Hornet Mighty Shrikes Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 94 USS Theodore Roosevelt