Pula, Croatia — An F-14 ÒTomcatÓ fighter assigned to the ÒJolly RogersÓ of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) leads a formation comprised of F/A-18 ÒHornetÓ strike fighters from the ÒBlue BlastersÓ of VFA-34, the ÒSunlinersÓ of VFA-81, and the ÒRampagersÓ of VFA-83. U.S. aircraft belong to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17), currently embarked on board. Two Croat MiG-21 ÒFishbedÓ fighter-interceptors flank the each side of the formation. U.S. Navy aviation squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) have sent a detachment to Croatia in order to participate in Joint Wings 2002. Joint Wings is a multinational exercise between the U.S. and the Croat Air Force designed to practice intelligence gathering. George Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and is nearing the end of a scheduled six month deployment after completing combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photograph by CAPT Dana Potts. (RELEASED)
