Iraq Here We Come: A Look Inside The USS Carriers George H.W. Bush And Mesa Verde

Capt. William P. Pennington, executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), proctors the E-5 Navy-wide advancement exam on the mess decks aboard the ship. George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on its first operational deployment conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jessica Echerri/Released)

This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows a small vessel transiting in front of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush as it transits the Strait of Hormuz April 28, 2014 as seen from the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the USS George H.W. Bush from the northern Arabian Sea Saturday June 14, 2014 as President Barack Obama considered possible military options for Iraq. (AP Photo/US Navy, Specialist 3rd Class Abe McNatt) (AP2014)

Engineman 1st Class (SW) Isa Grace, from Andalusia, Ala., monitors the ships propulsion plant while working as the engineering officer of the watch (EOOW) aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Grace is the first enlisted women to qualify as EOOW aboard Mesa Verde, a position typically assigned to officers. The EOOW monitors propulsion, auxiliary, and other vital systems which keep the ship operational. Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Smith/Released)

Sailors adjust the pelican hook during the removal of the anchors and chains aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is undergoing a planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to refurbish shipboard systems and conduct maintenance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Samantha Thorpe/Released)

Sailors aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) give an MV-22 Osprey flight directions during touch and go training. Sailors assigned to Mesa Verde and Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) are deployed as part of the Bataan Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Phylicia A. Hanson/Released)

Chief Information Systems Technician Curtis Buzard, from Philipsburg, Pa., defends himself against a simulated attacker after being sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum spray during force protection training aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Mesa Verde is a part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Phylicia A. Hanson/Released)

The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) drops anchor in Antalya, Turkey. George H. W. Bush is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Card/Released)

Engineman 1st Class Shamsiddean Williams, from Chesapeake, Va., performs maintenance on a low pressure air compressor in an auxiliary machine room aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Mesa Verde, part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, and the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Phylicia A. Hanson/Released)

Lt. Kent Davis, left, the flight deck officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Cmdr. William Powers, the ship's air officer, Cmdr. Michael Bissell, the ship's assistant air officer, and Cmdr. Robert Rivera, the ship's safety officer, discuss a training evolution in flight deck control. George H.W. Bush is conducting training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis/Released)

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Walter Boyd, from Omaha, Neb., and Airman Fontella Synergy, from Birmingham, Ala., enter a MV-22 Osprey during a simulated flight deck fire drill aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Mesa Verde and the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Phylicia A. Hanson/Released)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is underway during a training exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. Mesa Verde is deploying to the Mediterranean Sea.  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julio Rivera/Released)

A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) fires an M240B machine gun during a live-fire exercise. Anzio is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine exercises as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming combat deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian M. Brooks/Released)