An F/A-18C Hornet, from the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 are on a scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.