Dec. 7, 2005 – An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27), launches off the flight deck of the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during an early morning rain shower. Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently conducting operations in the Western Pacific Ocean.