060618-N-8492C-276 PACIFIC OCEAN, (June 18, 2006)

Click on photos for enlargements

Courtesy of member Dan Bott

Above right

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) (foreground),

USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) (middle), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and their associated carrier strike

Groups steam in formation while 17 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps fly over them

During a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) while preparing for exercise Valiant Shield 2006.

The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is currently participating in Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint

Exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area June 19-23, the exercise includes

28 Naval vessels including three carrier strike groups. Nearly 300 aircraft and approximately

22,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are also

participating in the exercise. Official U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographers Mate Todd P.