Flight deck personnel on the USS Nimitz prepare an F/A-18 Hornet for launch. Flight deck personnel on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepare an F/A-18 Hornet for launch during flight operations in the Persian Gulf on Nov. 10, 1997. The Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing 9 are operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. The Hornet is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 146, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.04 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 551296-E-JHD69-202.jpg Photo Gallery