ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 10, 2015) Cmdr. Christian “Wilson” Sewell, a test pilot from the F-35 Lightning II Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF) launches his F-35C carrier variant from the deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) at the completion of the second developmental test (DT-II) phase of the next-generation strike fighter. Assigned to the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, Sewell was joined by fellow test pilots Cmdr. Ted “Dutch” Dyckman, Cmdr. Tony “Brick” Wilson and Lt. Chris “TJ” Karapostoles for the second of three at-sea test phases planned for the F-35C. DT-I, -II and -III test phases ensure aircraft meet specifications and identify mission critical issues sufficiently early in the test phase to deliver fully capable aircraft in time for their scheduled initial operating capability (IOC). Lt. Cmdr. Daniel “Tonto” Kitts served as the detachment Officer-in-Charge (OIC). (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Lockheed Martin photo by Andrew McMurtrie/Released)