Aviation boatswain's mate Airman Johnny Patterson prepares an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Pukin' Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron 143 for launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing 7 are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a transport for personnel, weapons or other material.