Guns of the U.S. Navy

Sailors from the surface contact attack team conduct a gun exercise with a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57). Mitscher is a part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Deven B. King)

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 prepares to take off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans)

AV-8B Harriers fly by the moon over San Diego Bay during the Centennial of Naval Aviation Open House and Parade of Flight at Naval Air Station North Island. The Navy is observing the Centennial of Naval Aviation with a series of nationwide events celebrating 100 years of heritage, progress and achievement in naval aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trevor Welsh)

The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) fires its aft 5-inch Mark 45/54-caliber lightweight gun at the ex-USNS Saturn during a sinking exercise. Gettysburg and other ships assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group fired live ammunition at Saturn. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tony Curtis)

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Nicole M. Calvery fires a M-240B machine gun during a live-fire exercise aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl)

Sailors aboard a riverine patrol boat assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 fire an Mk 44 mini machine gun during a six-day field exercise at Ft. Knox, Ky. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan)

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) fires its MK-75 76mm mounted gun while underway off the coast of Brazil. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stuart Phillips)

A NATO Sea Sparrow Missile launches from USS George Washington during a missile exercise. George Washington is based in Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jessica Davis)

Lithographer 2nd Class John F. Buckles shoots an M16 during a small-arms qualification onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Small-arms qualifications are held regularly to qualify crewmembers for future watch standing duty. (Official US Navy photograph by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Konstandinos Goumenidis)

Force Protection Team member FC3 Pellegrino has her gas mask donned and her shotgun ready to deter unauthorized personnel from gaining access to the ship's pier. Force Protection training involves Sailors responding to possible intruder or terrorist activity on or near U.S. Navy ships. This exercise was held at Pier 8, Naval Station San Diego. (Official U.S. Navy Photograph by Petty Officer First Class Edward G. Martens)

Navy SEAL team personnel conduct special warfare insertion techniques at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif. (U.S. Navy Photo by PHC Ted Salois)

Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Alexander Castillo, left, and Information Systems Technician 1st Class Cyrus Fluitt, fire M9 service pistols during small-arms qualifications aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael O'Day)