For the past two years, photographer Erik Hildebrandt has traveled the globe documenting the vast universe of modern naval aviation. He has flown with deployed forces over war-torn Afghanistan, through the tranquil skies over Hawaii with the Blue Angels and practically everywhere in between. By doing so, he has assembled an unprecedented historic record of the Navy's men and women hard at work on the eve of this centennial celebration.

Hildebrandt's personal fascination with flying and his insightful, artistic vision result in remarkably powerful photographs that tell the stories of each aircrew and aircraft as we get to ride along on incredible real-life missions. He has pioneered new technologies and explored revolutionary techniques to bring back innovative aerial images.