PHOTOS OF PLANES BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER

050727-N-3488C-051 Philippine Sea (July 27, 2005) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VFA-102), breaks the sound barrier during a fly-by over the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently conducting operations in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jonathan Chandler

As a plane accelerates and breaks the sound barrier, an unusual cloud forms. The origin of this cloud is still debated. A leading theory is that a drop in air pressure at the plane occurs, so that moist air condenses there to form water droplets.

060911-N-8604L-741 East China Sea (Sept. 11, 2006) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five breaks the sound barrier during an air power demonstration practice aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Wayne LeGrand

061015-N-9500T-008 San Diego (Oct. 15, 2006) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Two (VFA-122), flown by Lt. Matt Turner, pushes the limits of the sound barrier during a performance at the Miramar Air Show on board Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. This year's air show was themed "The Sound of Freedom: Celebrating the Blue Angels' 60th Anniversary", showcasing military and civilian aircraft and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Taylor

080417-N-2382C-001 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 17, 2008) Capt. Norbert "Smurf" Szarleta, commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, breaks the sound barrier in an F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter during an air power demonstration aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) on 17April 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Yeoman Augustine Cooper

070909-N-4515N-438 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 9, 2007) - An F/A-18 Super Hornet breaks the sound barrier during the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show. The three-day show included performances by the Navy’s Blue Angels, the British Red Devils and Blackwater USA parachute jump teams, and a variety of aerial demonstrations and static displays of military and civilian aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Nuzzo

070824-N-0684R-060 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 24, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet, from the "Argonauts" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, breaks the sound barrier while making a high-speed pass close to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during an air power demonstration. The air power demonstration showed the capability of Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 to service members' family and friends who were invited to get underway with the ship. Stennis is returning to the United States after a 7.5-month-long deployment promoting peace, regional cooperation and stability and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves

040609-N-9742R-041 Atlantic Ocean (June 9, 2004) - An F/A-18 Hornet, assigned to the “Marauders” from Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Two (VFA-82), piloted by Lt. Cmdr. James Montgomery, of Yukon, Okla., reaches the sound barrier during a supersonic flyby over USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise is one of seven aircraft carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse is the Navy’s first deployment under its new Fleet Response Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Milosz Reterski

050330-N-0382O-503 Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 30, 2005) - An F-14B Tomcat, assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF-32), breaks the sound barrier during the supersonic fly-by portion of an air power demonstration performed by Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3), for the Sailors and Marines aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group was recently relieved after completing nearly four months in the Persian Gulf in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Justin S. Osborne

070801-N-6854D-001 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 breaks the sound barrier during an aerial demonstration for the Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Dasbach

070403-N-7130B-138 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 3, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25, breaks the sound barrier while performing a supersonic flyby of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during an air power demonstration. The air power demonstration was performed by Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and featured participation from each of the eight squadrons assigned to CVW-14. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway in support of operations in the western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Burden

050817-N-3488C-151 Pacific Ocean (Aug. 17, 2005) - An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Golden Dragons" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Nine Two (VFA-192), breaks the sound barrier near the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently returning to their homeport after a scheduled deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jonathan Chandler

050727-N-3488C-047 Philippine Sea (July 27, 2005) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VFA-102), breaks the sound barrier during a fly-by over the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently conducting operations in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jonathan Chandler

050323-N-5781F-081 Yokosuka, Japan (Mar. 23, 2005) - An F/A-18C Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) breaks the sound barrier during an air power demonstration conducted by Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Currently participating in the annual exercise Foal Eagle, Kitty Hawk and CVW-5 demonstrate their commitment to the Republic of Korea/U.S. alliance through joint training. Under way in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, operating from Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Bo Flannigan

030726-N-4953E-081 Atlantic Ocean (Jul. 26, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet, assigned to the "Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron Thirty Seven (VFA-37) performs a sonic boom by breaking the sound barrier during a Friends and Family Day Cruise aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Danny Ewing Jr.

061013-N-9500T-008 San Diego (Oct. 13, 2006) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Screaming Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Two (VFA-122), flown by Lt. Matt Turner, pushes the limits of the sound barrier during a performance at the Miramar Air Show on board Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. This year's air show was themed "The Sound of Freedom: Celebrating the Blue Angels' 60th Anniversary", showcasing military and civilian aircraft and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Taylor

070923-N-3136P-039 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 23, 2007) - Two F/A-18C Hornets, assigned to the "Dambusters" of Strike Fighter Squadron 195, punch through a cloud of water vapor while breaking the sound barrier during an air power demonstration for friends and family of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jimmy C. Pan

030428-N-4308O-006 The Mediterranean Sea (Apr. 28, 2003) -- Sailors assigned to the “Swordsman” of Fighter Squadron Thirty Two (VF-32) perform maintenance to an F-14 Tomcat in the hangar bay after it had broken the sound barrier during an air power demonstration. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are on deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor

030422-N-0382O-588 Mediterranean Sea (Apr. 22, 2003) -- An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the “Swordsmen” of Fighter Squadron Thirty Seven (VF-32) reaches the sound barrier during a low altitude super sonic fly by, during an air wing flight demonstration for the crew aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are currently deployed conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Justin S. Osborne

990707-N-6483G-001 Off the coast of Pusan, South Korea, July 7, 1999 -- An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron One Five One (VFA-151) breaks the sound barrier in the skies over the Pacific Ocean. VFA-151 is deployed aboard USS Constellation (CVN 64). U.S. Navy photo by Ensign John Gay At sea aboard USS Constellation, July 7, 1999 — An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron One Five One (VFA-151) breaks the sound barrier in the skies over the Pacific Ocean, July 7, 1999. VFA-151 is currently deployed with USS Constellation (CV 64). U.S. Navy photo by Ensign John Gay. Ens. Gay, photo officer for Fighter Squadron Two (VF 2), shot this image from the 0-10 level weather deck (the uppermost deck on the island) of USS Constellation (CV 64). It was shot with a Nikon N-90s with a Nikon 70-300 ED zoom lens, using Kodacolor 200 negative film. The camera was set for manual exposure of F/5.6 at 1/1000 sec. The image was acquired with a single shot, panned from left to right, prefocused at approximately 200-300 yards off the port side of the ship, where the aircraft flew by. This image has appeared in many publications worldwide. [990707-N-6483G-001] July 7, 1999