Keywords: Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Juan Cumpston directs an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant to the catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) (28540439234).jpg ATLANTIC OCEAN Aug 18 2016 Aviation Boatswain ™s Mate Handling 3rd Class Juan Cumpston from Richmond Virginia directs an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant assigned to the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX 23 to the catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington CVN 73 VX-23 is conducting its third and final developmental test DT-III phase aboard George Washington in the Atlantic Ocean The F-35C is expected to be Fleet operational in 2018 U S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kris R Lindstrom/Released 160818-N-GN619-047 Join the conversation http //www navy mil/viewGallery asp www navy mil/viewGallery asp http //www facebook com/USNavy www facebook com/USNavy http //www twitter com/USNavy www twitter com/USNavy http //navylive dodlive mil navylive dodlive mil http //pinterest com pinterest com https //plus google com plus google com https //www flickr com/photos/usnavy/28540439234/ 160818-N-GN619-047 2016-08-18 07 16 https //www flickr com/people/56594044 N06 Official U S Navy Page from United States of America MC2 Kris R Lindstrom/U S Navy Attribution License IPTC Caption-Abstract U S Navy photo PD-USGov-Military-Navy Official U S Navy Imagery https //flickr com/photos/56594044 N06/28540439234 2016-08-22 23 10 32 cc-by-2 0 160818-N-GN619-047 Navy Aboard USS George Washington CVN-73 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 United States Navy Files from the U S Navy Flickr stream Photographs taken on 2016-08-18 Taken with Nikon D700 |