An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Fighting Vigilantes" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 takes off from the bow of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during flight operations. Lincoln conducted fixed-wing flight operations today for the first time since completing a nine-month dry-dock planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Lincoln is conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California. www.navy.mil