ABOARD USS INDEPENDENCE CV-62 (FEB. 22,1998) -- Aviation Boatswain Mate Equipment Handler Third Class (ABE3) Joshua Schwandt of Sacramento, California motions as he launches a F/18 Hornet from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62). Independence is forward deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Thunder. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Brian J. Hoosack.