170519-N-OI810-036

170519-N-OI810-036 WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN (May 19, 2017) Sailors prepare to launch an E-2D Hawkeye assigned to the "Tigertails" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Carrier Air Wing 5 is embarked on Ronald Reagan and conducting flight-deck qualifications to ensure the ship and air wing is able to safely launch and recover aircraft. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke/Released)