Nothing wakes you up on a Monday like a subtle, perfectly low-key display of air and sea power….
A B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of Air Force and Navy F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles, and F-18 Hornets over the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz and USS John C. Stennis Strike Groups during Exercise Valiant Shield exercise Aug.14 in the Pacific. The forces participated in Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 servicemembers from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
That’s cool and all…..but who invited the Coast Guard?
That B-52 needs to work on its cover and alignment. Typical air force.
The coast guard needs to be there to catch all of the navy that fall overboard. Coast Guard for the Win!!
This pic reminded me of the “Hippie” poster over at Military Motivators
Wow. Beautiful.
What coast is there to guard out there?
Thanks for the new desktop background
The problem with smoke trails is……… there’s usually a Buff at one end.
So is Nimitz in the middle? Would that be the flag ship? Does anyone know how that’s decided?
Viewed from the left to the right (viewers left-right) it appears to be the Nimitz, Kitty Hawk and JC Stennis. KH probably has the guide as OCE was embarked on her (and she’s also the oldest active commissioned ship – note the ‘active’ qualifier).
Also, just like last year’s VS shot, the F-16 element has dash-4 out of position…
-SJS
The submariners are licking their chops!! TARGETS!!