Valiant Shield 2006Valiant Shield 2006 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), USS Kitty Hawk (CV- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-

63), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN- 72) steam along 63), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN- 72) steam along side each other while participating in a photo exercise side each other while participating in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) for the joint exercise Valiant Shield 2006. (PHOTOEX) for the joint exercise Valiant Shield 2006. The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group participated in The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group participated in Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint exercise in recent Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area 19-23 June history. Held in the Guam operating area 19-23 June 2006, the exercise involved 28 Naval vessels including 2006, the exercise involved 28 Naval vessels including three carrier strike groups. Nearly 300 aircraft and three carrier strike groups. Nearly 300 aircraft and approximately 22,000 service members from the Navy, approximately 22,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard also Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard also participated in the exercise.participated in the exercise.

Donald A. Brewer 5 December 2006Donald A. Brewer 5 December 2006

Fore to aft, Reagan, Kitty Hawk, Lincoln

USS Ronald ReaganUSS Ronald Reagan

CVN-76CVN-76

Strike GroupStrike Group

USS Kitty HawkUSS Kitty Hawk

CV-63CV-63

Strike GroupStrike Group

USS AbrahamUSS Abraham

Lincoln Lincoln

CVN-72CVN-72

Strike GroupStrike Group

Abraham Lincoln, Kitty Hawk, Ronald Reagan Strike Groups

USAF B-2 Led Flyover

(2) F-16, (2) F-15, (4) FA-18, B-2, (4) FA-18, (2) F-15, (2)F-16

FA-18 Hornets

Strike Groups Tactical ManeuverStrike Groups Tactical Maneuver

USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63, from astern

Completion of the first gathering of three United Completion of the first gathering of three United States Navy Carrier Strike Groups in many yearsStates Navy Carrier Strike Groups in many years..

Valiant Shield 2006Valiant Shield 2006

• Photos and essentials for compiling the Photos and essentials for compiling the captions were obtained from a USN Web Site. captions were obtained from a USN Web Site. Several hours were required to select the Several hours were required to select the photos from among dozens available. photos from among dozens available. Considerable initiative was used to compile the Considerable initiative was used to compile the captions from available information. If any captions from available information. If any error is noted, please advise.error is noted, please advise.

• Donald A. Brewer 14 January 2007Donald A. Brewer 14 January 2007 Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL