Lance Cpl. Christopher Carter receives instructions while brake riding in an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Checkerboards” of Marine Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

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.

Watch: F-18 Going Supersonic

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Hogan