BALLOON RELEASE U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristopher Rodriguez prepares to release a weather balloon from the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the Pacific Ocean, July 9, 2008. The radiosonde, a radio transmitter attached to the balloon, has sensors that measure meteorological variables such as wind, temperature, dew point and humidity, sending this information to the observing station. Kitty Hawk is taking part in the Rim of the Pacific 2008. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.05 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 006868-B-PMA68-575.jpg Photo Gallery