An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 launches from catapult one on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Steam-powered catapults are capable of launching aircraft off the flight deck in under two seconds. VFA-154 is currently embarked on board Ronald Reagan performing carrier qualifications in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan McCord)

The first MC-12 Liberty aircraft in-theater lands here at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time June 10 after its first combat sortie. The Air Force's newest ISR platform, the MC-12 is a medium-altitude manned special-mission turbo prop aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The aircraft will operate from here in direct support of coalition and joint ground forces. Photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca

A technician straps legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield into the cockpit of the X-15 rocket plane before an early test flight. The X-15's maiden flight occurred on June 8, 1959, during which Crossfield was carried aloft in his sleek, black rocket plane beneath the wing of a B-52 from NASA's Flight Research Center (now NASA Dryden). This was the beginning of nearly a decade of flight research that probed the hypersonic speed realm and altitudes at the edge of space. Image Credit: NASA/North American Aviation

06/08/2009 - USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) leads a formation of ships from 12 different countries through the Baltic Sea June 8, 2009, during the exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2009. BALTOPS is an annual exercise hosted by the United States and is intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Rumbach, U.S. Navy/Released)