More than 60 years have passed since our valiant naval aviators and their support systems performed their heroic deeds in the South Pacific in The Battle of the Marianas, June 1944, paving the way for the eventual defeat of the Japanese military system during WW II. Time and again, since then, our men and women in uniform have been called into action using increasingly complex and technologically advanced weapons systems. As I write this introduction, in 2006, our military services have conducted a training exercise known as Valiant Shield. This process has brought together three of our largest, most modern, aircraft carriers and their support systems. One of the by-products of this gathering is a collection of unique and inspiring aerial photographs that brings this collection of hardware and dedicated personnel into view where we can, in sweeping perspectives, take in the scope of this coordinated effort.

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