Dec 1, 2013  - PHILIPPINE SEA - Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Israel Rodriguez directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5's fly-off. George Washington and its embarked air wing, CVW 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman/RELEASED)

 Feb 10, 2014  - Royal Mace Maintenance Officer LCDR Peter "Sosaj" McMorrow and LT Kyle "Nemo" Matson doing some formation flying near Mt. Fuji soon before our recent big snowfall (photo by Mace CO CDR Spencer "Soupbone" Abbot). The "Japanese Alps" of Nagano Prefecture are visible in the distance. (Image Source - US Navy/Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Feb 19, 2014  - NAF ATSUGI - Mace 200 piloted by LCDR Blaine Felloney over a still-snowy NAF Atsugi. The recent storm was the most snow to fall in the Atsugi area since Japan's Meiji Era in the late-1800's! (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Feb 22, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Five Royal Mace FA-18E's over Wake Island on 22 February 2014. Wake is of the most remote locations on the planet, 450 miles from the nearest land. Wake became famous as the "Alamo of the Pacific" at the start of World War II, and is a living museum with many pillboxes and other WWII historical sites located throughout the small coral atoll. (Image Source - US Navy/CDR Spencer Abbot)

 Feb 22, 2014  -  TRANSPAC/FALLON - Five Royal Mace FA-18E's over Wake Island, a coral atoll far from land in the Central Pacific. The island at the top center of the photo is called "Seal Island" (can you see why?), and used to be the site of a Pan Am Clipper refueling station in the 1930's. (Image Source - US Navy/CDR Spencer Abbot)

 Feb 22, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Five Royal Mace FA-18E's over Wake Island. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Feb 23, 2014  -  TRANSPAC/FALLON - Five Royal Mace FA-18E's on a U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker during the long trip across the Pacific Ocean to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.(Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 14, 2014  - CAG F/A-18E Super Hornet of VFA-27 lined up on the runway for takeoff from NAS Fallon during Bomb Qualification Testing operations. (Image Source - Peter Boschert)

 Mar 21, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - With the melting of the spring snowpack, Yosemite Falls was roaring as we flew over. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 21, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Here's a landmark that Japan-based squadrons don't often get a chance to fly over -- the Golden Gate Bridge, with Marin County in the background. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 21, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Here's a landmark that Japan-based squadrons don't often get a chance to fly over -- the Golden Gate Bridge, with Marin County in the background. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 23, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Royal Maces 200 tanking from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 "Iron Maiden" tanker over Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco, as we head west back to Japan via Hawaii and Wake Island. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 24, 2014  - Aloha Honolulu! - with David Tarr, Taylor Oakes, Steve Eckhart and Chris Nigus. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Mar 28, 2014  - TRANSPAC/FALLON - Three Royal Maces over the most spectacular golf course on the planet, Cypress Point (sorry Pine Valley...). Fore! - with Billy Case and Andrew Moore. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 May 27, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 performs a touch-and-go on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during carrier qualifications. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 May 27, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during carrier qualifications. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 May 28, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during carrier qualifications. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 May 28, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during carrier qualifications. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 Jun 1, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 Jun 2, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/RELEASED)

 Jun 5, 2014  - AIRSPACE TO THE SOUTH OF OKINAWA, Japan - A Navy FA-18E Super Hornet, left, from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 receives fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Young Tigers of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a scheduled refueling mission with aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trevor Welsh/RELEASED)

 Jun 8, 2014  - WATERS NEAR OKINAWA - Aviation mechanics perform maintenance on an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron of (VFA) 27 on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin K. Kittleson/RELEASED)

 Jun 8, 2014  - WATERS NEAR OKINAWA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/RELEASED)

 Jun 14, 2014  - SOUTH CHINA SEA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trevor Welsh/Released)

 Jun 20, 2014  - VICTORIA HARBOR, Hong Kong (June 20, 2014) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 rests on the flight deck of the U.S Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship departs Victoria Harbor after a four-day port visit. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/Released)

 Jun 22, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/RELEASED)

 Jul 1, 2014  - SOUTH CHINA SEA - An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

 Jul 3, 2014  - SULU SEA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Chris Cavagnaro/Released) Digital

 Jul 8, 2014  - EAST CHINA SEA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Beverly J. Lesonik/Released)

 Jul 10, 2014  - EAST CHINA SEA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Beverly J. Lesonik/Released)

 Jul 11, 2014  - USS George Washington and Mt.Fuji. Royal Mace parked on the starboard elevator. (Image Source US Navy/ Cdr. Spencer Abbot)

 Jul 19, 2014  - WATERS TO THE WEST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA - Distinguished visitors from the Republic of Korea watch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 as its towed across the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a distinguished visitor embark. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/Released)

 Jul 21, 2014  - WATERS WEST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

 Jul 29, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF OKINAWA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

 Jul 30, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF OKINAWA - Air department Sailors move an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)

 Jul 31, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF OKINAWA - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)

 Jul 31, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF OKINAWA - Japanese guests watch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 make an arrested landing during a distinguished visitor embark aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Geroge Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/Released)

 Aug 2014  - CAG 200 F/A-18E of VFA-27 on approach to NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - A. Kanzaki)

 Aug 6, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA 27) flies over the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during an air power demonstration as part of the ship's Tiger Cruise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)

 Aug 6, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 flies over the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during an air power demonstration as part of the ship's four-day Tiger Cruise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

 Aug 6, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 breaks the sound barrier over the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during an air power demonstration as part of the ship's four-day Tiger Cruise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Albert Moreno Jr./Released)

 Aug 6, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An E/A-18G Growler from the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, left, and an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 perform a simulated aerial refueling over the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during an air power demonstration as part of the ship's four-day Tiger Cruise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Albert Moreno Jr./Released)

 Aug 6, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - Sailors and civilian guests watch as an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 flies over the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during an air power demonstration as part of the ship's four-day Tiger Cruise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Everett Allen/Released)

 Aug 15, 2014  - Beautiful shot of the CAG Mace on approach to NAF Atsugi. Note the "SHELL" oil logo on the center line drop tank. Image Source - shitte641000-Japan

 Sep 4, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An F/A 18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialists 3rd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)

 Sep 5, 2014  - WATERS EAST OF JAPAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Everett Allen/Released)

 Sep 13, 2014  - WATERS NEAR GUAM - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Mai/Released)

 Sep 17, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, top, launches as an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Diamondbacks" of VFA 102 taxis on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as part of Valiant Shield 2014. George Washington is currently participating in Valiant Shield, which is a U.S. only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Mai/Released)

 Sep 18, 2014  - PACIFIC OCEAN - Practice ammunition are armed on an F/A-18 Super Hornet as an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a war-at-sea exercise (WASEX) as part of Valiant Shield. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 embarked aboard George Washington, CVW 17 embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and P-3C Orion patrol aircraft participated in this Valiant Shield WASEX to enhance their operational proficiencies while successfully engaging surface combatants in a dynamic environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)

 Sep 18, 2014  -  PACIFIC OCEAN - An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a war-at-sea exercise as part of Valiant Shield. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 embarked aboard George Washington, CVW 17 embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and P-3C Orion patrol aircraft participated in this Valiant Shield WASEX to enhance their operational proficiencies while successfully engaging surface combatants in a dynamic environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released)