050122-N-1113S-008 Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan (Jan. 22, 2005) - Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Cameron Bloom, listens to instructions on his radio prior to launching an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27), on board Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan. Petty Officer Bloom is VFA-27's Flight Line Coordinator, in charge of launching and recovering aircraft. Several aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) detached to Iwo Jima Air Base to allow pilots to get carrier landing qualified. Iwo Jima, roughly 700 miles south of Japan's main islands, serves as a location for these pilots to earn these qualifications, far away from the challenges presented by flying in the densely populated suburbs surrounding U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, where CVW-5 is forward deployed. Training was completed Monday, Jan. 24, with the return of personnel to their home bases. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Matthew R. Schwarz (RELEASED)
050122-N-1113S-003 Iwo Jima, Japan (Jan. 22, 2005) - Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joseph Dominguez salutes as Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Christopher Rainey, Master-at-Arms Seaman Heather Sadler and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force member lower the American and Japanese flags on board Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan. Members of U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Security Department are assigned to Iwo Jima Air Base to provide support to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Matthew R. Schwarz (RELEASED)