<p>PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 2, 2016) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, launches from the flight deck of the Navyâs only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during Keen Sword 17 (KS17). KS17 is a biennial, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, U.S. Pacific Command-sponsored Field Training Exercise (FTX). KS17 is a joint/bilateral FTX designed to meet mutual defense objectives by increasing combat readiness and interoperability between Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and U.S. forces. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5), is on patrol in the Philippine Sea supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Burke/Released)161102-N-OI810-289
Join the conversation:
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp">www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy">www.facebook.com/USNavy</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://twitter.com/USNavy">www.twitter.com/USNavy</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://navylive.dodlive.mil">navylive.dodlive.mil</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://pinterest.com">pinterest.com</a>
</p>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://plus.google.com">plus.google.com</a>
<p><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/56594044@N06">Official U.S. Navy Page</a> from United States of America
</p>
MC3 Nathan Burke/USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/30715776506/">An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan.</a>