Your Navy TODAY (Feb. 28, 2012)

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the ship pulls into San Diego. John C. Stennis is returning to homeport in Bremerton, Wash., after completing a seven-month deployment.

A high-speed camera captures the first full-energy shots from the Office of Naval Research-funded electromagnetic railgun prototype launcher that was recently installed at a test facility in Dahlgren, Va. The test shots begin a month-long series of full-energy tests to evaluate the first of two industry-built launchers that will help bring the Navy a step closer to producing a next-generation, long-range weapon for surface ships. The new launcher brings advanced material and high-power technologies in a system that now resembles a large-caliber gun.

Sailors and Marines participate in a chess tournament in the mess decks of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). The ship is en route to relieve USS Essex (LHD 2) as the forward deployed ship in Sasebo, Japan.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Charles Swanson, assigned to the weapons department, stands the look-out watch aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN 734). Swanson said he enjoys the look-out watch because it's his only opportunity to see the exterior of the ship while underway.