English: Arabian Gulf (Sept. 19, 2004) - A Naval Aviator and a Naval Flight Officer (right seat) assigned to the “Diamond Cutters” of Sea Control Squadron Three Zero (VS-30) complete pre-flight checks of their S-3B Viking prior to launch aboard the conventionally-powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). S-3B Aircraft are tasked by the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commanders to provide Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), surface surveillance and intelligence collection, electronic warfare, mine warfare, coordinated search and rescue, and fleet support missions including air wing tanking. Kennedy and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17) are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Units in the Kennedy Carrier Strike Group are working closely with Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Iraqi forces to bring stability to the sovereign government of Iraq.

In this photo, the engine "tapes" indicate that the left engine is started. The pilot's right hand is on the starter switch for the right engine. The "fog" near the top of the picture is cold air from the airplane's powerful air conditioning system, which provides necessary cooling for the onboard electronics.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 3rd Class Joshua Karsten (RELEASED)