An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 27, top, launches as an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Diamondbacks" of VFA 102 taxis on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington as part of Valiant Shield 2014. George Washington is currently participating in Valiant Shield, which is a U.S. only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners.