An MH-60R from the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington is participating in Valiant Shield, a U.S.-only exercise integrating an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, 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.