aircraft carrier visit

Your Guide To the 5 Aircraft Carrier Museums In The USA

There are five aircraft carrier museums in the USA on both the West and East coast, and all have seen combat.

Read update

Will there ever be another us aircraft carrier museum, quick links, uss yorktown cv-10, the uss hornet cv-12, uss intrepid cv-11, uss lexington cv-16, uss midway cv-41.

The United States is home to an impressive five World War Two-era aircraft carrier museums. There are five US Aircraft Carrier Museums, and they date from the same period - from WW2. Back then the aircraft carriers were smaller and were commercially powered. After the war, American aircraft carriers remained conveniently powered but grew larger and became supercarriers.

Four of these aircraft carriers are Essex-class aircraft carriers (the United States built 24 of these carriers during the war). The fifth one is a Midway-class carrier built towards the end of the war. They are scattered across the nation in New York, South Carolina, Texas, and California (California has two). They are some of the most interesting American naval museums to visit .

UPDATE: 2023/04/30 15:32 EST BY AARON SPRAY

The United States has five aircraft carriers for people to visit and learn about the role of the Navy in protecting the United States. People can explore the largest warships of their era and learn how they helped win the Pacific War and the role they took in the years following. This article was updated and expanded with more information about the prospects of there ever being a sixth aircraft carrier museum.

The USS Yorktown is an Essex Class aircraft carrier built in World War Two. Named after the Battle of Yorktown in the American War of Independence and took the name in honor of the previous aircraft carrier USS Yorktown CV-5. USS Yorktown CV-5 had fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the Battle of Midway, where she met her end.

• Commissioned: April 1943
• Campaigns: Pacific War, Korean War, Vietnam War
• Decommissioned: 1970
• Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943) 30,000+ tons (1956)

She was decommissioned soon after the war but reactivated and served in the Korean War. Eventually, she became an anti-submarine carrier and served during the Vietnam War (and earned another five battle stars).

Towards the end of her career, she served as the recovery ship for Apollo 8 space mission and was started in the film Tora! Tora! Tora! and the film The Philadelphia Experiment .

In 1975 she became a museum ship in South Carolina and is a National Historic Landmark.

• Time for tour: People expect to spend 5 to 6 hours touring the USS Yorktown CV-10 at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in South Carolina. Some even spend a longer time to see the Vietnam War Experience and the submarine. The USS Yorktown alone has six guided tours at the museum.

The USS Hornet is also an Essex class aircraft carrier that was built for World War Two. She was completed in 1943 and assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force. She saw action in 1944, attacking Japanese installations in New Guinea, Palau, and Truk, among others. Today one of the greatest attractions for divers today is seeing the sunk Japanese fleet at Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon.

Later she took part in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign as well as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," which was the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Like other ships, she took part in the Korean War (she had to be pulled out of reserve) and was modernized as an anti-submarine carrier. She played a minor role in the Vietnam War and also took part in the Apollo program.

• Commissioned: 1943
• Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943)

Today it is a museum in Alameda in California (open since 1998) and is also a National Historic Landmark. Admission is $20.00 for adults.

• Opening times: The USS Hornet Museum opens its doors, from Friday to Monday, and offers many interesting tours, exhibits, community events, group and special tours, and more. It opens from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with the last entry set at 4:00 PM.
• Price: While admission tickets are generally USD 20 per person, seniors, military, and students get the ticket for USD 15. Young people aged between 7 and 17 enter with a USD 10 ticket while children aged 6 and under can access the museum for free. The same applies to museum members.

Related: Japan's Truk Lagoon is Home To An Extraordinary Number Of Wartime Wrecks, Still Visible Today

She is another of the four Essex class aircraft carriers to survive today (unfortunately, the massively iconic USS Enterprise was scraped right after the war). She was also commissioned in August 1943 and participated in the Pacific War against Japan - notably the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Like many of the Essex class carriers (there were so many of them after the war that one could have tripped over one) she was decommissioned. But later she was modernized and reactivated and went on to participate in the Vietnam War and was also involved in the space program.

Her back luck earned her the nicknames "Decrepit" and "the Dry I" - she was high by four separate Japanese kamikaze aircraft.

• Campaigns: Pacific War, Vietnam War
• Decommissioned: 1974

The USS Intrepid is today part of the famous NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

• Museum hours: The NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum opens from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from June through September. From October through May, the museum opens its doors only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Things to do: The museum offers a handful of activities, including tours, simulators, education demonstrations, souvenir photos, space shuttle pavilion tour, and more.

The fourth surviving Essex class aircraft carrier, she also took part in the Pacific War. She was nicknamed "The Blue Ghost." She was named following the loss of the first American aircraft carrier - the USS Lexington CV-2, at the Battle of the Coral Sea. They are named in honor of the Battle of Lexington.

• Campaigns: Pacific War
• Decommissioned: 1991

Since 1992 she has been a museum and is docked in Corpus Christi in Texas.

• Opening times: The USS Lexington Museum opens its doors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Price: Admission costs USD 18.95 for adults. Seniors aged 60 and over get a discounted ticket for USD 16.95. Military members benefit from a special price of USD 14.95. Parking fees amount to USD 5.
• Attractions: There are many attractions to enjoy at the USS Lexington Museum, including Escape Rooms, the Flight Deck, Joe Jessel 3D MEGA Theater, Pearl Harbor exhibit, Scale Models, flight simulator, and Virtual Battle Stations. People can enjoy either self-guided or guided tours of the museum.

Related: America's Most Interesting And Historic Naval Museum Ships, And How To Visit Them

The USS Midway is the only museum aircraft carrier that is not an Essex Class carrier. She was the lead ship of her class and was commissioned just eight days after the end of World War Two.

She remained the largest ship in the world for a decade until 1955. During her time, she saw action in Vietnam and took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq but was decommissioned right after it in 1992.

• Campaigns: Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm
• Decommissioned: 1992
• Displacement: 45,000+ tons (1945)

Today she is a museum ship in San Diego, California .

• Price: Ticket prices at the USS Midway Museum are USD 26 for adults and USD 18 for youth and veterans.
• Activities: There are many activities to enjoy at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, such as Hangar Deck exhibits, Flight Deck exhibits, Below Deck exhibits, TBD Devastator, Remembrance Wall, Midway stories, Midway Virtual Tour, and more.

Unfortunately, after the Navy's decision to scrap the USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy last year , there are not likely to be any new aircraft carrier museums for a very long time (they were also supercarriers and the last American conventionally powered aircraft carriers).

The Forrestal class was the first completed supercarriers, and they were followed by the Kitty Hawk class (an incremental improvement on the Forrestal class). These were also the last American carriers to be built conventionally powered (all subsequent carriers are nuclear powered).

All the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk aircraft carriers have been decommissioned. For a long time, a couple of carriers - including the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Kitty Hawk were held in decommissioned mothball reserve. These were the last carriers that could feasibly be made into aircraft carrier museums.

The John F. Kennedy was held at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (a mothball fleet) and was available for donation as a museum. But eventually, in 2017 the navy revoked her donation hold status and the remaining Kitty Hawk carriers were sent for dismantling.

All other and future American carriers are nuclear-powered - that makes the effort and costs of converting them into museums much higher. It seems unlikely there will be another American aircraft carrier museum for a long time.

If visiting England, take the time to visit HMS Victory - Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar . Additionally, see the old museum ship (and still listed ship) of the United States - the iconic USS Constitution .

Next: How To Get The Most Out Of A Historical Visit To The Pearl Harbor Museum & Memorial

Our hours are subject to change on a daily basis based on special events and exhibition closures. Please check our Visitor Information page .  Last entry is one hour prior to closing.

Mon-Fri: 10:00am-5:00pm  

Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 10:00am-6:00pm  

Tuesday, September 3 through Sunday, September 15 : The Space Shuttle Pavilion will be closed due to exhibition planning.

APOLLO:  WHEN WE WENT TO THE MOON

Mon-Fri: 10:00am-5:00pm Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 10:00am-6:00pm

WELCOME TO THE INTREPID MUSEUM

Experience the world’s first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world’s fastest commercial airliner displayed in and around the legendary aircraft carrier, Intrepid —an awe-inspiring place for an unforgettable adventure. 

Ready for adventure? Explore our admission and membership options to find what’s right for you and your group.

Our dynamic exhibitions reveal the stories of the people who made history and the technology behind some of the most extraordinary accomplishments of the 20th century. 

We offer exciting events for every age and interest level. Browse our event calendar to see what we have planned!

Put yourself in the pilot’s seat with exhilarating flight simulators, a 4D theater, virtual and augmented reality experiences and more.

We offer a number of different programs and events that celebrate history, science, technology and engineering in fun and exciting ways.

Use our interactive map to get a closer look at the spaces you can’t wait to explore during your visit.

Stay in the know about upcoming events, exhibits and so much more.

Subscribe to our list Join

• Meeting Planners
• Meet the Team
• Services & Resources
• Service Providers
• Hotel & Venue Search
• Convention Center
• Travel Trade
• San Diego Specialist
• Trade Offers
• Request Images
• Hosting Assistance
• Press Releases

USS Midway Museum

*san diego’s most popular family attraction.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a historic aircraft carrier.  Activities for all ages including self-guided audio tours, theater, flight simulators, climb-in aircraft, ejection seats and cockpits, guided tours of the bridge and more. Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, French and German.

Spectacular flight deck views of the downtown skyline, San Diego Bay Bridge, and active U.S. Navy ships! Midway is an opportunity to experience the uniqueness of San Diego, original home of TOP GUN.

Conveniently located in downtown San Diego along the Embarcadero. Parking available alongside on Navy Pier. Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

*Cited by TripAdvistor

USS Midway Museum - a real aircraft carrier...fun for the family, once in a lifetime memory for everyone! Create a once in a lifetime memory exploring the USS Midway, the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century! Imagine living aboard a floating city at sea with 4,500 shipmates, by exploring galleys, officer's country, sleeping quarters and the 4 acre flight deck. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour to over 60 locations from the engine room to control tower, narrated by Midway sailors who lived or worked in each.

Family-oriented activities for all ages abound! Check out the new child's audio tour with content geared specifically for 7-12 year-olds, take the kids and explore, climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, walk through helicopters, ride three types of flight simulators, climb in bunks, sit in ejection seat theatre, listen to real pilot conversations during Desert Storm, take the family to sea without leaving port!

Located alongside Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, parking is managed by ACE Parking.

Neighborhood: Downtown

910 North Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101

Contact Info

(619) 544-9600

Daily: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Last Admission at 4:00 PM Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving

Admission Prices:

• $34 Adult (Ages 13+)
• $24 Youth (4-12)
• $24 Veterans (w/ valid ID)
• Children 3 and under are free

Experiences

• More than 30 restored military aircraft trace 80 years of naval aviation history
• Battle of Midway 3D Theater
• Flight Simulators
• Award-winning audio tour in six languages
• Virtual Reality experience

More Information

• Destination Weddings
• Historic Landmark
• World-famous docents bring Midway's flight deck to life
• Kid Friendly
• General Admission - Adult
• General Admission - Child
• General Admission - Senior
• Restaurants

Sharing is caring

Like what you see? Share with your friends, family, and the world!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

• Things to Do
• Downtown & Urban
• Inland Valley, Mountain & Desert
• Baja California
• Neighborhood Maps
• Getting Around
• Travel Guides & Apps
• Family Travel
• International Travelers
• Visitor Information & Services
• Hotels & Resorts
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Camping & RV Parks
• Vacation Rentals
• Other Accommodations

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

Or use google translate.

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum

Year in and year out, the USS  Midway  Museum is one of San Diego’s most popular attractions. This unique destination is actually a United States naval aircraft carrier that has been decommissioned and turned into a museum. Visitors to the USS  Midway  Museum can peruse a series of exhibits that demonstrate what life was like for the crew in every aspect of their time in service, as well as explore the over 30 historic aircrafts that remain onboard the vessel.

Save on your visit to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum! USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is included on the Go San Diego Pass . Save an additional 5% on the Go City Pass with Coupon Code: GO5CMANTIS The discount stacks on top the current sale prices! Promo expires on May 31st.

USS Midway History

Over the course of the 20 th  Century, no United States aircraft carrier was in active service for longer than the USS  Midway . Named in honor of the Battle of Midway, a significant naval confrontation that took place in early June 1942, the USS  Midway  was launched in September 1945, just after the close of World War II. The USS  Midway  would go on to see action all over the world, engaging in deployments off the coast of Vietnam, joining in NATO exercises, and serving as flagship naval carrier during Operation Desert Storm.

The USS  Midway  was decommissioned in 1992, and spent the next decade in storage. In 2003, plans were made to transform  Midway  into a museum, and the ship was moved to San Diego Bay. The USS  Midway  Museum opened its doors in 2004, and millions of visitors have passed across its decks ever since.

What’s at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

There are four primary exhibit areas at the USS  Midway  Museum: Hangar Deck, Flight Deck, Below Decks, and the Aircraft Gallery. Each one of the deck exhibits contains a plethora of hands-on experiences that share the story of life on the  Midway , details about its lengthy career, and historical artifacts pertaining to some of its many missions. Meanwhile, the Aircraft Gallery is home to over 30 historic aircrafts and helicopters. All of these aircrafts have been meticulously restored, and each one represents an important part of the  Midway ’s service.

The Battle of Midway Theater is a 90-seat facility that shows a 15-minute film called “Voices of Midway.” This riveting movie tells the story of the famous World War II battle that gave its name to the aircraft carrier, and is part of your general admission ticket. If you’re willing to pay a bit extra, you won’t want to miss going for a ride on one of the  Midway ’s flight simulators, Air Combat 360 and Virtual Reality Flight Experience: Screaming Eagles.

The USS  Midway  Museum has its own dedicated, on-site gift shop. Known as the Jet Shop, it occupies a prominent spot on the ship’s hangar deck, in the same location where jet engines were serviced by crew members when the vessel was on active duty. There you’ll have your pick of Navy-related apparel, souvenirs, books, and USS  Midway -themed memorabilia.

Not too far from the Jet Shop is Café 41, USS  Midway ’s in-house restaurant. Café 41 has been recently renovated and now features an all-new menu. Favorites here include staples like sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. There’s usually a daily special or two available as well. If you’re hungry but in a hurry, Jet Express is a “grab-n-go” option that might work best for you and your needs.

Tips for Visiting the USS Midway

• If you are planning to visit many tourist attractions while in Sand Diego, think about buying a Go San Diego Pass . It includes admission to the Midway Aircraft Carrier as well as lot of other popular tourist attractions for one price.
• The USS  Midway  Museum is a large site, where there’s a lot to see and do. Therefore, it’s recommended you budget three to four hours when planning to visit, and wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be on your feet plenty!
• Unlike most museums, the USS  Midway  Museum actually permits same-day re-entry. All you have to do is swing by the Visitors Information Center for more details.
• All visitors are provided a self-guided audio tour with their admission. This terrific resource is divided into three parts covering the flight deck, hangar deck, and below-deck, and since it’s self-guided, you can customize your listening experience to suit your interests. If you were to listen to the entire tour, it could take you upwards of four hours to complete. The museum recommends bringing your own headphones or earbuds. 
• There are plenty of museum docents situated throughout the museum just waiting to answer any of your questions. Many of these individuals have personal experience as navy veterans, and they can easily be identified by the yellow hats they wear. 
• Air Combat 360 is a two-person flight simulator. Both spots must be occupied by participants, each participant must be at least 48” tall, and it costs less than $10 per person. Virtual Reality Flight Experience: Screaming Eagles is similarly priced, and each participant must be at least 38” tall. 
• Traveling exhibitions and special events routinely stop at the USS  Midway  Museum. Make sure you consult the museum’s calendar of events prior to your visit in order to be aware of any exciting, upcoming happenings that might be taking place around the time of your trip.

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Best of America’s battleships and aircraft carriers on display

Want to see America’s military might up close? From New York to Hawaii, retired battleships and aircraft carriers give the public a peek into the lives of the men and women who lived, fought and died aboard them.

Check out some of the biggest battleships and aircraft carriers open to the public around the U.S.:

1. USS Hornet, San Francisco Bay area

(USS Hornet Museum Staff)

A registered state and national historic landmark, the USS Hornet opened as a museum in 1998. The aircraft carrier was under heavy attack 59 times during World War II, but it was never hit by a single bomb, torpedo or kamikaze. The Hornet is famous for recovering Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins after their mission to the moon, and it contains the largest collection of Apollo space mission artifacts along the West Coast. It also houses a Flight Simulator movie theater to give visitors the sensation of flight.

2. USS Midway, San Diego

110604-N-NS602-574 (USS Midway Museum)

America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century, the USS Midway shot down MiGs in North Vietnam in 1965 and played a key role in the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm. Visitors will find 29 restored aircraft on the ship, as well as a chance to see its sleeping quarters, the jail, the post office and more. You also can ride in one of two flight simulators that let you roll, spin and loop through the skies in the seat of a fighter pilot. Operators recommend setting aside three to four hours to see the whole ship.

3. USS Constitution, Charlestown, Mass.

140829-N-XP344-626 BOSTON (Aug. 29, 2014) USS Constitution sets sail in Boston Harbor during the ship's second and final chief petty officer heritage week underway demonstration of 2014. More than 150 chief petty officer selects and mentors assisted the crew of Constitution with setting the ship's three topsails during the underway to conclude a week of sail training aboard Old Ironsides. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Kinney/Released) (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Kinney, USS Constitution Public Affairs)

Boarding this warship is like stepping into history. At more than 200 years old, the USS Constitution – “Old Ironsides – is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, and it’s still active with a crew of U.S. Navy sailors. Undefeated in combat, the Constitution fought in the Barbary Wars, the War of 1812 and the Quasi-War with France. In 2009, it was designated America’s Ship of State by President Obama.

The ship’s crewmembers are stationed as interpretive historians, and they bring the ship’s past to life. The Constitution recently underwent a three-year, $15 million restoration, and starting June 8 visitors will be able to access the top deck to watch blacksmiths, woodworkers and others preserve the ship. Nearby is the USS Constitution Museum, which offers exhibits that demonstrate life aboard the ship, its storied history and its restoration.

4. USS North Carolina, Wilmington, N.C.

(Battleship NORTH CAROLINA)

This battleship serves as the state’s memorial to World War II veterans and the more than 10,000 North Carolinians who served and died in World War II. Commissioned in 1941, she was considered the world’s greatest sea weapon with nine 16-inch guns in three turrets and 20 5-inch, 3-caliber guns in 10 twin mounts.

The ship has been moored in Wilmington for 50 years, ever since North Carolina students contributed 10 cents each to raise $330,000 for the ship’s towing and placement in 1961. Visitors will find displays and artifacts across this two-city-block-long museum – including the engine room, captain’s cabin, coding room, butcher shop and more – to get a glimpse of what life was like aboard the ship in the 1940s.

5. USS Yorktown, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

(USS Yorktown)

Parked just across the Cooper River from historic downtown Charleston along an area in Charleston Harbor called Patriots Point, the USS Yorktown is not only an aircraft carrier museum, but also home to 29 aircraft from World War II to the modern era. Visitors can also tour several other ships there, including a submarine.

The Yorktown participated in the Pacific Offensive during World War II and was featured in the documentary “The Fighting Lady” and the film “Tora! Tora! Tora!” It also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule in 1968. Patriots Point hosts a magnificent fireworks display and celebration each July 4 that can be viewed from aboard the Yorktown.

6. USS Texas, LaPorte, Texas

(Ryan T Flynn)

The Texas is the last surviving Dreadnought Battleship and the only surviving battleship that fought in World Wars I and II. Docked along the Houston Ship Channel, she was commissioned in 1914 as the most powerful weapon in the world and was the first to mount anti-aircraft guns and to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers.

One hundred years later, visitors can walk the decks via a self-guided tour and go on a hard-hat tour to see areas usually closed to the public. There’s even a youth sleepover on the ship. Nearby is San Jacinto Battleground, where Texas secured its independence from Mexico in 1836.

7. USS Intrepid, New York City

(Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum)

A visit to the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86 in Manhattan offers more than a look at the aircraft carrier. You’ll also see the space shuttle Enterprise, some of the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. The Intrepid, which is a National Historic Landmark, served in World War II and the Vietnam War, and it survived five kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike. It also recovered astronauts from the Gemini and Mercury space missions.

The museum has more than a million visitors each year and contains 28 restored aircraft, including the Lockheed A-12 Blackbird, the world’s fastest military jet and spy plane, and the British Airways Concorde, the supersonic commercial jet. There’s also the Space Shuttle Pavilion, with the Enterprise, the world’s first space shuttle. Also on site is the USS Growler, the only American diesel-powered strategic missile submarine open to the public.

8. USS Missouri, Honolulu

(MISSOURI Memorial)

Commissioned in 1944 and moored just a short distance from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor pays tribute to “Mighty Mo,” the third navy ship to carry the name “Missouri” and the last battleship ever built. In 1945, during World War II, the Missouri was hit by a kamikaze, though it took minimal damage. She also participated in the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm.

Visitors can walk the ship to see how the crew lived, browse artifacts from her deployments and learn about the wars she participated in. Also on board, if you need a break, are the gift shop, Sliders Grill and Wai Momi Shaved Ice.

9. USS Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

(John David Mercer)

Located at Battleship Park in Mobile Bay, the USS Alabama --nicknamed Might A --downed many enemy planes during its 37 months of active duty in World War II -- earning nine Battle Stars. As long as the half the height of the Empire State Building, the ship could fire shells as heavy as a car accurately for more than 20 miles.

Like the North Carolina campaign, school children raised $100,000 together with a corporate fund-raising campaign to bring the Alabama home in 1965 as a tribute to the men and women who had lost their lives serving the armed forces. Since then, more than 13 million people have to come to see her along with the USS Drum World War II submarine and 25 military aircraft, including a complete collection of the "F" series of fighter jets and a P51-Mustang, the airplane of Alabama's Tuskegee Airmen.

10. USS Lexington, Corpus Christi, Texas

(USS Lexington)

While the USS Lexington has many claims to fame, including the first aircraft carrier to have women serve aboard as crew members and the first to deploy air-to-surface missiles, it may be most recognized as starring in the film "Pearl Harbor" with Ben Affleck.  The Blue Ghost, as it is nicknamed, set more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation and destroyed many enemies during World War II.  The Lexington's planes downed more than 370 enemy aircraft and another 475 on the ground. She sank or destroyed more than 300,000 tons of enemy cargo, and her guns shot down 15 planes. She sunk more than four times, but returned to fight again and again. On board the ship, visitors can see aircraft, guns, an exhibit on Pearl Harbor, officer's quarters, the dental clinic and more. On the Hangar Deck, test your bravery in a dog fight at the Virtual Battle Stations or head to the 3D Mega Theater to catch the latest movie.

Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

Neighborhood Activations: May 22-25 Public Tours & EXPO: May 24-27

Neighborhood Activations: May 22-25, 2024 Public Tours & Expo: May 24-27, 2024

LA FLEET WEEK 2024 TO HOST FIRST NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER VISIT TO LOS ANGELES IN 13 YEARS

by marannf | May 13, 2024 | Press | 0 comments

For the First Time Since 2011, A Navy Aircraft Carrier will Arrive at the Port of Los Angeles for Public Tours During the Largest Memorial Day Weekend Event in Los Angeles

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – May 13, 2024 – LA Fleet Week , Los Angeles’ annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services, today announced a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier will participate in LA Fleet Week 2024, marking 13 years since the last time an aircraft carrier visited Los Angeles and was available for public tours. LA Fleet Week, the largest Memorial Day weekend event in Los Angeles, will host events and activities throughout the Los Angeles area from May 22-27, 2024, culminating with the LA Fleet Week Expo and ship tours on the L.A. Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro open to the public from May 24-27, 2024.

LA Fleet Week will also bring thousands of Navy sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and soldiers to experience Los Angeles as they participate in a variety of community events, and the Navy and Marine Corps bands play at venues throughout the area. The event will culminate on Memorial Day, May 27, with a solemn ceremony to honor those who lost their lives in the defense of our country. The Memorial Day Observance will be held on the LA Fleet Week Expo main stage in the event footprint adjacent to Battleship IOWA at 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro.

Free Public Tours of Active Duty Ships Free tours of the aircraft carrier will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from Friday, May 24, through Sunday, May 26, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 27. The aircraft carrier will be berthed in San Pedro’s Outer Harbor and the only way to go aboard will be to catch a shuttle bus from the main LA Fleet Week EXPO footprint. A Coast Guard cutter will also be available for tours in the Downtown Harbor adjacent to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

Reservations for ship tours are not required and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All adults must present a valid government-issued I.D. (state I.D. card, drivers license or passport) to take Navy ship tours. Non-US citizens must show valid passports and will be subject to a brief additional screening before boarding the vessels. Photocopies of I.D.s will not be accepted. Additional information regarding ship tours, including tour requirements and restrictions, is available on the LA Fleet Week website and should be reviewed before attending.

LA Fleet Week Expo Features Displays, Activities, and Events for the Entire Family Located in the footprint next to the historic Battleship USS IOWA Museum , the LA Fleet Week Expo will be open to the general public 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Friday, May 24, to Monday, May 27. Free to the public, the Expo will provide a variety of activities and exhibits that highlight and celebrate the nation’s military services and the people who serve. Events will include: military displays and equipment demonstrations, live entertainment, aircraft flyovers, the annual Galley Wars culinary cook-off competition between culinary specialists from the five military service branches, and dodgeball and Military Has Talent competitions. Dining options will be provided by Vicky’s Doghouse Café aboard Battleship IOWA and a variety of popular food trucks.

Military Members to Engage with the Public and Give Back to LA-area Communities LA Fleet Week Neighborhood Activations will introduce visiting servicemembers to the public and organizations in various Los Angeles and Orange Counties cities through public engagements, community relations projects, and outreach activities. Navy and Marine Corps bands will perform at various venues in the Neighborhood Activation cities of Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Venice. Servicemembers will thank local communities for their support through several community relations projects including volunteering at a build site for Habitat for Humanity, a beach clean-up in Venice, and facility improvement project for the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center. As LA Fleet Week comes to a close on Memorial Day, 500 sailors will gather and walk across the iconic Sixth Street Bridge in Downtown Los Angeles as a Memorial Day salute.

Visit the LA Fleet Week website for the schedule of events and frequently asked questions .

About LA Fleet Week LA Fleet Week (LAFW) is possible because of support from our generous sponsors: the Port of Los Angeles, National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA, USO, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles Emergency Management District, Outfront Media, FOX Entertainment (Galley Wars presenting sponsor), FOX Sports (Dodgeball presenting sponsor), Princess Cruises, American Legion Post 283, Dave & Buster’s, Budweiser, Marathon Petroleum, R&S Kayne Foundation, UPS, Councilmember Tim McOsker – LA District 15, Navy Federal Credit Union, Chevrolet, Collier Walsh Nakazawa, Western Governors University, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Proud Source (official water of LAFW), Crowne Plaza (official hotel of LAFW), West Harbor, U.S. Veterans Magazine, KLOS -F.M., Harbor Community Health Centers, Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society, NIO Cocktails, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, ILWU Local 13, ILWU Credit Union, and Boeing.

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from los angeles fleet week | la fleet week | memorial day event.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Categories Aircraft Carriers Airshows Aviation History Aviation Humor Books Civil Aviation Cold War Era Drones F-14 Tomcat Helicopters Losses/Aviation Safety MiG Killers Military Aviation Space SR-71 Blackbird SR-71 Top Speed Naval Warfare U.S. Navy Warbirds Weapons Yearly Summary
• Partners Perks
• Advertise With Us

• Aircraft Carriers
• Military Aviation

Visit Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78): all you need to know about US Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier

“This ship and crew are actively reshaping the face of our Navy’s capabilities and strengthening the future of Naval Aviation,” Capt. Rick Burgess, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) commanding officer.

On 7 Aug 2023, our correspondent Angelo Romano [ CLICK HERE to buy the awesome books he wrote about US Naval Aviation], visited USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) , during a media embark, off the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy. Angelo flew out of NAS Sigonella onboard a VRC-40 DET 2 C-2A NP and made the eleventh arrested landing in his 37-years career as freelance historian and photographer.

The capital ship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), departed her home port Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a routine deployment, on May 2 .

“This strike group is the cornerstone of our Navy’s forward operations, capable of meeting any tasking provided by regional combatant commanders to ensure peace and stability at sea,” said Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12. “Our presence at sea throughout the deployment will provide reassurance to our partners and Allies that sea lanes will remain open, and our joint operations will demonstrate our commitment to interoperability and maritime stability.”

Ford’s second deployment marks the flagship’s first combat deployment, following its two-month deployment to the U.S. SECOND and SIXTH Fleet areas of operation in autumn 2022. “The Sailors of Gerald R. Ford are ready and able to perform because of the strenuous training they have put in to get this ship ready to deploy, and also in large part to the support of their families and friends,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Ford’s commanding officer. “This ship and crew are actively reshaping the face of our Navy’s capabilities and strengthening the future of Naval Aviation.”

The GRFCSG provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce.

The GRFCSG consists of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 staff, Gerald R. Ford, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 staff and units, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and the Information Warfare Commander. In total, the GRFCSG deploys with more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander’s tasking.

The ships of DESRON 2 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) . The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are:

• VFA-37 BULLS FA-18E AJ100 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37
• VFA-213 BLACK LIONS FA-18F AJ200 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213
• VFA-31 TOMCATTERS FA-18E AJ300 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31
• VFA-87 GOLDEN WARRIORS FA-18E AJ400 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87
• VAQ-142 GRAY WOLVES EA-18G AJ500 Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142
• VAW-124 BEAR ACES E-2D AJ600 Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124
• HSC-9 TRIDENTS MH-60S AJ610 Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9
• HSM-70 SPARTANS MH-60R AJ700 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70
• VRC-40 DET 2 RAWHIDES C-2A NP (CD)41/46 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40

Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN-78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, Advanced Arresting Gear and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to generate a higher sortie rate with a 20 percent smaller crew than a Nimitz Class carrier, paving the way forward for Naval Aviation. Cruise chronology (up to 18 Aug 2023)

02May2023, departed home port Naval Station Norfolk on her first global deployment; 02May-08May2023, Virginia Capes Operating Area; 09May-l4May2023, Atlantic Ocean; 15May-20May2023, Eastern Atlantic Ocean; 21May-23May2023, North Sea; 24May2023, transited the Oslo fjord for its first port call in Oslo, Norway; 24May-28May2023, anchored off the south of Oslo, Norway; 29May-01Jun2023, North Sea; 02Jun-03Jun2023, Norwegian Sea; 04Jun-06Jun2023, Baltic Operations 2023 in the Norwegian Sea; 07Jun-10Jun2023, North Sea; 11Jun-12Jun2023, Celtic Sea; 12Jun-16Jun2023, U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) and STRIKFORNATO-led BALTOPS 23 was the premier annual maritime-focused exercise uniting 19 NATO Allies and one NATO to provide complex training designed to strengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. 12Jun-23Jun2023 CVW-8 DET at Hohn Air Base, Germany, for the exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23), the largest deployment exercise of air forces in NATO’s history: up to 10.000 exercise participants from 25 nations, with 250 aircraft, trained air operations in European airspace, under the command of the German Air Force 13Jun2023, Eastern Atlantic Ocean; 14Jun2023, Bay of Biscay 15Jun2023, transited the Strait of Gibraltar, in-chopped Mediterranean Sea; 15Jun-17Jun2023, Western Mediterranean Sea; 18Jun-l9Jun2023, Ionian Sea; 20Jun-25Jun2023, Adriatic Sea; 26Jun-29Jun2023, anchored off the coast of Split, Croatia; 30Jun-07Jul2023, Adriatic Sea; 08Jul-10Jul2023, Ionian Sea; 11Jul-22Jul 2023, Adriatic Sea; 23Jul-24Jul2023, Ionian Sea; 25Jul-26Jul2023, Saronic Gulf; 27Jul-30Jul2023, anchored in Phaleron Bay, off the coast of Piraeus, Greece; 31Jul2023, Saronic Gulf, Greece; 01Aug2023, South-West of Crete, Greece; 02Aug-11Aug2023, central Mediterranean, Exercise Sage Wolverine – Ships from multinational NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) participated in a series of maritime training exercises alongside the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford during Exercise Sage Wolverine in the Mediterranean Sea. From 2 August to 11 August, Allied forces from Greece, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States honed their skills in maritime warfighting and seamless interoperability. 09Aug-18Aug2023, Adriatic Sea, Large Scale Exercise 2023 (LSE2023), a live, virtual, and constructive, globally integrated exercise designed to refine the synchronization of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps maritime operations, across six maritime component commands, seven numbered fleets, and 22 time zones. More than 10,000 Sailors and Marines participated in LSE2023, one of the maritime service’s largest exercises.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Fact Sheet

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, and is the flag ship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. As the first-in-class ship for the next generation of aircraft carriers, Ford introduces 23 technologies to deliver greater lethality, survivability and joint interoperability while reducing operating and maintenance costs. CVN 78 is the first new carrier designed in over 40 years, and it was designed to have the flexibility to operate with future generations of aircraft.

Ship’s namesake

Born in 1913, Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout’s highest rank. He attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he became a star football player for the Wolverines, with opportunities to pursue professional football. Instead, he chose the legal profession and went to Yale Law School, earning a Bachelor of Law degree in 1941. Naval Service

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ford joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and was assigned to USS Monterey (CVL-26). In 1943, he was sent to the South Pacific and took part in the battles for Truk, Guam, Fom10sa, Marianas and the Philippines. He was honorably released from active duty in 1946, having reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

After World War II, Ford returned to Grand Rapids and he returned to the law firm he started with Pat Buchanan. In 1948 he ran for congressional office and began tl1e first of 13 terms in the House of Representatives. As a congressman, Ford developed a reputation for integrity and the ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats.

Gerald R. Ford became Vice President of the United States in 1973 following tl1c resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. On Aug. 9, 1974, Ford became President following the resignation of President Nixon during tl1e Watergate scandal.

As President, Ford strove to bring unity to a nation disillusioned by the Watergate scandal, Vietnam War and an economic recession. Ford’s legacy is one of a man who placed service above self, and who served the nation with the highest level of personal integrity.

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is a first-in-class aircraft carrier, and the fast-new aircraft carrier designed in over 40 years. The Sailors who serve aboard Ford are tasked with ensuring tl1e ship is able to execute national tasking for decades to come.

Although it appears similar to a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier , there are many features that make Ford unique. First-in-class technology includes a new nuclear plant, tl1c ability to generate nearly three times the amount of electrical power, innovative advanced arresting gear and the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) .

Direct comparison between Nimitz and Ford Classes

Nimitz Class

· Steam catapult system · Three hangar bays and four aircraft elevators · Fueling stations only on flight deck catwalks · Weapons elevators have a conveyor belt system

· Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) · Two hangar bays and three aircraft elevators · In-deck fueling stations on flight deck · Only ship with advanced weapons/ stores elevators · Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) · Dual-Band Radar (DBR) · Island is smaller and further aft on the flight deck EMALS replaces the steam catapult system traditionally used to launch aircraft and will expand the aircraft launch envelope, paving the way for innovations in manned/ unmanned aircraft as well as providing tl1e opportunity for other technological advancements in the future.

· Keel Laid: November 2009 · Christening: November 9, 2013 · Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts · Length: 1,092 feet · Beam: 134 feet, · Flight Deck Width: 256 feet · Displacement: Approximately 100,000 long tons full load · Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour) · Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding · Ship’s Sponsor: Susan Ford Bales, daughter of Gerald R. Ford · Crew: 4,539 (ship, air wing and staff); 2,700 (ship’s company) · Armament: Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Rolling Airframe Missile, Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) · Aircraft: 75+

Technologies Introduced to Ford-Class

· Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) · Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) · Dual Band Radar (DBR) · Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE) and Vertically Integrated Stores Elevators · Propulsion Plants · Zonal Electrical Distribution System (ZEDS) · Electrical Power Distribution System (400 HZ Static Frequency Converters) · All Electric Auxiliary Systems · Machinery Control and Monitoring Systems (MCMS) · Combat Systems Local Area Network (CSLAN) · Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Services (CANES) · Ships Self Defense System (SSDS) · Steering and Hydraulic Control Systems · Navigation Network · Heavy Underway Replenishment · JP-5 (carrier jet fuel) Fuel Handling and Storage · Jet Blast Deflectors (JBD) · Aviation Electrical Servicing System (AESS) · Aircraft Elevators, automatic deck stanchions and associated support systems · CVN 78 Video Distribution System · Hangar Bay Conflagration Monitoring Station · Drainage and Ballast System · Magazine Sprinkling · Plasma Arc Waste Destruction System

Flight Deck (Largest and most advanced flight deck in the fleet)

· EMALS — Upgraded from steam catapults, EMALS on Ford-class uses stored kinetic energy and solid-state electrical power conversion to launch aircraft, permitting a high degree of computer control, monitoring and automation. EMALS improves takeoff speed while reducing wear on aircraft. Reduces cost for maintenance and support. Reduces personnel required to operate by one third. Allows for quieter and cooler work and living spaces for Sailors. Can launch aircraft every 30 seconds (60 seconds on average to include reload time). · AAG — Recovers a greater range of aircraft and limits the impact load on aircraft. · Electromechanical Actuators (EMA) — For jet blast deflectors and barricade stanchion. · Length — 1,092 ft. (more than 3.5 football fields) · Width — 256 ft. · Island Placemen t — 140 feet further aft from Nimitz-class carriers, increasing efficacy, creating more “real estate” on the flight deck to launch and recover aircraft. · In-Deck Fueling — Ford-class has the ability to refuel jets from the center of the flight deck, improving the ship’s ability to reload and relaunch aircraft.

TAC numbers “Bullseyes”

· Frame number: Frames run the length of the ship and indicate how far forward or aft you are, starting at frame O (bow) and ending at frame 265 (stem). Spaces forward of the bow are labeled with frame letters A-L. · Deck number: The Hangar Bay serves as the main deck (1). From there, the numbers increase the further away you get. An ” O” is added to levels above the hangar bay. · Port/Starboard: if a number is odd, you are on the ship’s starboard side. If a number is even, you are on the ship’s port side. A higher number indicates that you are farther outboard from the center of the ship. · Space Use: The specific use of a space is indicated by the assigned letters: A – Dry Storage C- Control Spaces L – Living Spaces M – Ammunition Q – Offices T – Vertical Access

Electrical Power Distribution System Generates nearly three times the amount of electrical power from Nimitz-class.

Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE) AWE moves more ordnance faster and requires less maintenance and personnel to operate. Ford has 11 weapons elevators with 4 upper stage elevators and 7 lower stage, enhancing the ship’s ability to move 24,000 pounds per load at a speed greater than Nimitz-class carriers.

Plasma Arc Waste Destruction System (PAWDS) Efficiently processes shipboard waste in an environmentally responsible fashion in compliance with national and international laws, rules, regulations and standards. PAWDS burns an average of 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of trash on a normal day underway onboard Ford at 9,032 degrees Fahrenheit. With the use of PAWDS, 100 pounds of trash can be reduced to one pound of ash.

Dual Band Radar (DBR) DBR is the primary radar for contacting aircraft. Its two functions are multifunction radar and volume search radar, which together provides a complete 360-degree air picture around the ship. Sage: a special dog Part of the first Expanded Operational Stress Control Canine Pilot Program Sage, a three-year-old female yellow Labrador Retriever, is deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), May 3, as part of the Expanded Operational Stress Control Canine pilot program.

This innovative program is aimed at providing a unique outlet and comfort for Sailors during deployment, with the goal of helping them cope with the operational stress associated with their work.

Sage is part of the warfighter toughness mental health and resiliency team on the Gerald R. Ford and is specially trained to help Sailors deal with the challenges of deployment. Animals have been proven to be an effective form of stress relief and can provide a sense of companionship, which is why Sage is expected to be an invaluable asset to the crew during their deployment.

CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TWELVE “READY ON ARRIVAL”

RADM Erik Eslich Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) Rear Adm. Eslich is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the United States Naval Academy in May 1993. He also earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Naval War College.

As a career surface warfare officer, he served tours aboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70), USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), and Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight. Eslich served as executive officer for both USS O’Kane (DDG 77) and USS Ramage (DDG 61) and he went on to command both USS Ramage and Destroyer Squadron Two (CDS 2), throughout which, he has made multiple deployments in support of training and real-world operations.

Ashore, he served as a U.S. House of Representatives case officer, Office of Legislative Affairs; executive assistant to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic; global requirements officer at the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO); surface warfare community manager at the Bureau of Navy Personnel (BUPERS-3); and as executive assistant to the Deputy Commander and Commander at U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Deputy Commander at Seventh Fleet.

Eslich’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service medals and ribbons. Eslich began serving as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve, in May 2023.

CAPT Richard G. Burgess Commanding Officer USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Capt. Rick Burgess, a native of Bellevue, WA, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1998.

Operational assignments include tours with Fighter Squadron (VF) 31 , USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63); and two tours with VFA-103, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Shore assignments include service as Action Officer in the House Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA); TOPGUN Instructor with Navy Fighter Weapons School; Strike Fighter Placement Officer (PERS-433B) with Navy Personnel Command (NPC); Branch Chief, Global Missile Defense Requirements at Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO), the Joint Staff (J8); and Homeland Defense Technologies Project Lead with The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).

He completed the Air Command and Staff College Non-Resident Program, earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College, and has a graduate certificate in Nuclear Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School.

He commanded VFA-103, The Jolly Rogers, from July 2013 to November 2014; served as Executive Officer of USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) from June 2019 to December 2020; and commanded the nation’s first Expeditionary Sea Base, USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), from May 2021 to August 2022.

Burgess has flown more than 3,500 hours in the F-14, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various individual and unit campaign awards.

CAPT Dan S. Catlin Commander Air Wing (CAG) EIGHT (CVW-8)

Capt. Dan “OJ” Catlin is a native of La Porte, Texas. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in International Relations. He was designated a naval aviator in May 2003 after completing an inter-service transfer to the United States Navy.

Catlin’s fleet assignments include operational tours with the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the “Stingers” of VFA-113, and the “Sunliners” of VFA-81. During these assignments, he flew numerous combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve. While in command of VFA-81, Catlin was recognized as the recipient of the 2016 Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Navy and Marine Corps Association O-5 Leadership Award.

Shore duty assignments for Catlin include an instructor tour with the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122, NATO Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, England, and command of the “Gladiators” of VFA-106. While assigned to the “Flying Eagles”, he served as a super hornet tactical demonstration team pilot and was the recipient of the 2008 Instructor Pilot of the Year Award. Following his first command tour, he earned a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the prestigious National War College in Washington D.C.

Catlin has accumulated over 3,200 flight hours in various models of F/A-18 aircraft and over 750 arrested carrier landings. He humbly credits his various personal and unit awards to the outstanding men and women he has had the privilege of serving with throughout his career.

Photos by Angelo Romano, Patrick Roegies, and U.S. Navy.

Acknowledgements: ENS Paula Niederland with CVN 78 PAO; LCDR Tyler J. Barker and LTJG Swanson A. Tiona, with CNE-CAN-C6F PAO.

Angelo Romano

You may also like.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) aircraft carrier, the world’s largest warship, ready to deploy

Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Norfolk for first warfighting deployment

C-2, E-2 completed Advanced Arresting Gear performance testing

Enter keyword.

Beds | Baths | Guests

Experience the USS Yorktown: Charleston’s Renowned Aircraft Carrier

Planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina is always an inspiring choice for travelers looking to enjoy an unforgettable vacation. Here, it’s as easy to spend time on the sand as it is to indulge in amazing dining options, check out boutique shops, or hop from one gallery to the next. While the cobblestone streets are charming, downtown Charleston is bustling with vibrant options for fun and entertainment. Outdoor experiences are truly exceptional in Charleston, but if you happen to be a history, find yourself in town on a rainy day or you’re looking for an educational twist for a trip with the entire family, there are plenty of historical landmarks well worth checking out. Among them is the Charleston Aircraft Carrier. This exciting stop brings history to life in style and puts your right in the heart of the Charleston Harbor experience.

Everything You Need to Know About the USS Yorktown, the Most Famous Charleston Aircraft Carrier

Infuse History into Your Visit

The Charleston aircraft carrier, officially known as the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, is located within the greater Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. This destination was opened in 1976 and was designed as a space to educate visitors on wartime history and the resources and aircraft that are part of those battles. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier was used by the U.S. Navy during World War II and repurposed for battle once again during the Vietnam War. Today, it is very much the centerpiece of Charleston Harbor attractions and sits alongside other historic ships, a Medal of Honor Museum, and a recreation of a navy base used in Vietnam complete with a fire control bunker, mess hall, and river boat patrol.

What to Expect During Your Visit

Touring the aircraft carrier is both educational and exciting for guests. Signing up for the captain’s tour is a sure way to get the most in-depth experience possible. As you walk through the aircraft carrier, you’ll learn more about its placement as the 10 th aircraft carrier to serve in the U.S. Navy. Your guide will give you insight into this Essex-class carrier that was constructed over the course of 16.5 months total. The carrier was modernized for jet aircraft in the 1950s and was designated as an anti-submarine aircraft carrier in 1957. In 1975, the aircraft carrier was moved to Charleston and officially became part of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum experience. It’s 888 feet long and when it was in use, could travel at a speed of over 30 knots for 14,000 nautical miles.

Plan Your Experience At This Famous Charleston Aircraft Carrier

The Charleston aircraft carrier experience is located at 40 Patriots Point Road and you’ll want to set aside at least 2 hours to make the most of the fun. Admission includes access to three historic ships, the museum, and the Vietnam Experience alike. The museum is open year-round and adults can enjoy time here for $27 a person while kids 6 to 11 can visit for $16. Children under the age of 6 can tour the aircraft carrier for free. There’s also a gift shop on-site to browse before you go if you’re looking to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit.

Book Your Stay Today to Visit the USS Yorktown

Enjoy your getaway to Charleston and be sure you have amazing vacation rentals throughout Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for a chance to win a complimentary vacation on the Charleston Coast.

Why an American Aircraft Carrier Is Making a Rare Visit to Vietnam

This is only the third such visit since the end of the Vietnam War.

• Reagan is visiting Da Nang Air Base, a major U.S. military base during the Vietnam War.
• Vietnam would be a key ally if the United States and China went to war, and vice-versa.

A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is making a rare visit to Vietnam this week, only the third such visit since the end of the Vietnam War. Task Force 70, which includes the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group, anchored in Da Nang on Sunday as part of a multi-day visit. It comes as the U.S. attempts to woo Vietnam into becoming an ally against its neighbor, China.

The three-ship task force—consisting of USS Ronald Reagan and the guided-missile cruisers USS Robert Smalls (formerly USS Chancellorsville ) and USS Antietam— will remain in Vietnam for an unknown period of time. The Navy is typically cagey about the duration of port visits, likely as a security measure. According to the U.S. 7th Fleet, the crews will attend “cultural and professional exchanges such as community service projects, sports competitions, and receptions.”

Task Force 70’s visit is just the third that a U.S. aircraft carrier has made since the Vietnam War. USS Carl Vinson visited in 2018, followed by USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2020. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers played a key role in the Vietnam War, flying combat missions against targets in both North and South Vietnam. The service lost 796 fighter, attack, and reconnaissance aircraft over Vietnam , the equivalent of all the aircraft carried by all 11 of today’s carriers.

The United States is eager to ally with Vietnam; it shares a land border with China, and has several excellent deep water ports, including those at Haiphong, Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Cam Ranh Bay, and Da Nang. Any of these could be an important pit stop for U.S. naval forces in a war with China . A U.S. base located directly on the South China Sea would mean warships wouldn’t have to sail back to Japan, Guam , or even Hawaii to rearm, refuel, and if necessary, make repairs.

The United States has made an effort to put its best foot forward in an attempt to woo Vietnam. In 2009, the U.S. Navy command ship USS Blue Ridge and guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen visited Vietnam, one of the first American warship visits. USS Lassen was at the time commanded by Cmdr. H.B. Le, a Vietnamese American . Three carrier visits in five years is a high tempo frequency considering that includes the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam is more tentative about a new relationship with the U.S., but recognizes the value. Vietnam shares an 806-mile-long border with China, and the two countries have traditionally not gotten along. China invaded Vietnam in 1979, and immediately suffered heavy casualties, causing Beijing to pull out and declare victory after just one month. The two countries are also at odds over territorial claims in the South China Sea, including drilling rights. If the two countries go to war again, Beijing’s modernized armed forces will be a more difficult opponent, and Vietnam would need allies.

Nha Trang may also replace Hong Kong as the Navy’s port of call on the South China Sea. For decades, U.S. warships visited Hong Kong both to show the flag and give sailors on long deployments a break. China, which controls Hong Kong, has not allowed an American carrier to visit since 2017, and given the deteriorating relationship between the two countries, Beijing will probably not allow another visit any time soon.

Vietnam is unique in being one of just two countries—the other being Japan—to “sink” a U.S. aircraft carrier . In 1964, the USNS Card , an aviation transport ship and former Bogue -class escort carrier, was attacked by Vietnamese saboteurs with mines . The 14,000-ton ship sank at port in Saigon, but was later raised and returned to service. Miraculously, no one was killed in the attack.

Kyle Mizokami is a writer on defense and security issues and has been at Popular Mechanics since 2015. If it involves explosions or projectiles, he's generally in favor of it. Kyle’s articles have appeared at The Daily Beast, U.S. Naval Institute News, The Diplomat, Foreign Policy, Combat Aircraft Monthly, VICE News , and others. He lives in San Francisco.

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Pop Mech Pro: Military .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

How Russia Copied America’s Deadliest Missile

What We Know About Russia’s Mystery Radio Signal

Can the Army’s New Rifle Take on Russian Armor?

Inside the CIA’s Quest to Steal a Soviet Sub

The U.S. Has Built an Unstoppable Microwave Weapon

China Could Rule the Seas With This New Tech

This Is the Most Lethal Submarine in the Sea

The Most Expensive Plane Crash in History

Can America’s Aging F-16 Overpower Russia’s Su-35?

Get to Know the Marines’ Favorite Ride

Meet the Navy’s New Radar-Killing Missile

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Behold the USS Midway, the largest aircraft carrier in the world you can tour

More than three American football fields in length, the USS Midway was the largest ship in the world for a decade. Today, it's an amazing museum ship in San Diego. Here's the full tour.

The USS Midway is huge .

She was the first of a new generation of carriers, referred to as battle carriers. She measures nearly 1,000 feet long. For 10 years, from 1945 to 1955, she was the largest ship in the world, and one of the largest moving objects ever made by humans.

After 47 years of service, including tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm, she was finally decommissioned in 1992. Now she sits in quiet San Diego, a massive floating museum. She's the largest aircraft carrier in the world that you can tour, and the tour makes for an incredible experience

If you can't make it to San Diego to see it for yourself, here's how it looks in many words and photos.

Take a tour of the USS Midway (pictures)

Battle Carrier

Advancing from the earlier Essex class, the Midway was the first of her class. Larger in nearly every dimension, she was a marvel of engineering in her day, and is still an incredible sight. In countless ways, she seems far more modern than other aircraft carriers you can tour, like the Intrepid in New York City.

Stepping on board, the cavernous hangar deck seems impossibly large. It'd be a huge open space if it was inside a building. That it's the middle of a ship plays tricks with the brain.

An optional self-guided audio tour gives you info as you wander. And wander you will. There's no direct line through all the open parts of the ship. Just when you think you've seen everything, you'll notice another hatch, corridor, or stairway.

One of the things that makes the Midway such a great tour is how much of the ship is open for exploration. Far more than the Intrepid is available for perusal: multiple crew messes, kitchens, cabins, ready rooms and more. A few dozen planes and helicopters are on the various decks, though they don't get in the way of the main attraction.

Related Tours

• A tour of the ballistic missile nuclear submarine Redoutable
• Tour the battleship USS Missouri
• A Tour of the Intrepid Museum
• Battleships and battlefields: WWII Museums from around the world

The island is the one part of the ship that is guided, though I lucked out. It wasn't busy, so I got the guide, Tom, to myself. I asked many, many questions. He was a Junior Officer on a different carrier in the '60s, and gave me tons of great info.

On the flight deck, a former aviator explained the complexities of carrier landings and takeoffs to a rapt audience.

The only aspect even slightly lacking are the engine room (which you only see a small part of). One docent told me they hope to open even more areas of the ship soon.

I started my tour around 1 p.m., and I was rushing to finish by the time the ship closed at 5. I recommend planning even more time.

See it yourself, if you can

I've done tours of military vessels all over the world, and the Midway is one of my favorites (perhaps no. 2 after the amazing nuclear submarine Redoutable ). Her size, condition and openness are incredible, but also the amount of information that's available everywhere really puts it over the top. It's one of the best tours in the world, and highly recommended.

As well as covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines , aircraft carriers , medieval castles , epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.

Also check out Budget Travel for Dummies , his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube . 

Computing Guides

• Best Laptop
• Best Chromebook
• Best Budget Laptop
• Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
• Best 2-in-1 Laptop
• Best Windows Laptop
• Best Macbook
• Best Gaming Laptop
• Best Macbook Deals
• Best Desktop PC
• Best Gaming PC
• Best Monitor Under 200
• Best Desktop Deals
• Best Monitors
• M2 Mac Mini Review
• Best PC Speakers
• Best Printer
• Best External Hard Drive SSD
• Best USB C Hub Docking Station
• Best Keyboard
• Best Webcams
• Best Laptop Backpack
• Best Camera to Buy
• Best Vlogging Camera
• Best Tripod
• Best Waterproof Camera
• Best Action Camera
• Best Camera Bag and Backpack
• Best E-Ink Tablets
• Best iPad Deals
• Best E-Reader
• Best Tablet
• Best Android Tablet
• Best 3D Printer
• Best Budget 3D Printer
• Best 3D Printing Filament
• Best 3D Printer Deals

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

US aircraft carrier makes Da Nang port call as America looks to strengthen ties with Vietnam

In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, the United States and Vietnam national ensigns are raised in unison on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a port visit, Sunday, June 25, 2023. The American aircraft carrier made a port call in Vietnam on Sunday — a rare visit by one of the U.S. Navy’s biggest ships that comes as Washington and Beijing both step up efforts to bolster ties with Southeast Asian nations.(Mass Communication 3rd Class Eric Stanton/U.S. Navy via AP)

In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), approaches Da Nang, Vietnam, for a port visit Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Mass Communication 3rd Class Jordan Brown/U.S. Navy via AP)

In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin, right, receives a wreath during a welcome ceremony after the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), anchored into Da Nang, Vietnam, for a routine port visit, Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Keyly Santizo/U.S. Navy via AP)

• Copy Link copied

BANGKOK (AP) — A U.S. aircraft carrier and two guided missile cruisers were visiting Vietnam on Monday, a rare port call that comes as the United States and China increasingly vie for influence in Southeast Asia.

The USS Ronald Reagan, along with the guided missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert Smalls, arrived in Da Nang on Sunday for the visit.

Neighboring China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner but Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea have led to increasing friction with Vietnam, as well as with Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines .

The U.S., meantime, has been on a diplomatic push to strengthen economic and military ties in the Indo-Pacific region.

The aircraft carrier’s port call — only the third such visit since relations were reestablished after the end of the Vietnam war — follows visits to Vietnam this year from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken , U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

“Though aircraft carrier visits often spark media attention because of their highly visible nature, the broader question is how this will play into the development of ties, including Washington’s quest to upgrade relations,” Prashanth Parameswaran, a fellow with the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, wrote in a research note.

“An overly narrow focus on carrier visits can distract from the broader trend of the more comprehensive development of U.S.-Vietnam defense ties and relations more generally,” Parameswaran added.

Officers from the Ronald Reagan debarked Sunday and were greeted by Vietnamese officers after mooring in Da Nang, a port that was modernized and expanded by the United States during the war for its own use.

Capt. Daryle Cardone, the Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer, said some of the more than 5,000 sailors from the ship will volunteer at several community relations events, play sports with local athletes and take part in other cultural and professional exchanges during the visit through June 30.

“A few Reagan sailors call Vietnam home, but for most it will be their first time visiting,” Cardone said in a release from the U.S. Navy.

Washington sees Hanoi as a key part of its strategy for the region and has sought to leverage Vietnam’s traditional rivalry with its much larger neighbor China to expand U.S. influence in the region .

Japan , a strong U.S. ally, also made a port call in Vietnam last week with its largest destroyer, Izumo, following exercises in the South China Sea with the Reagan and other American ships.

China has also been reaching out in an effort to mend fences, sending a navy training ship to make its own port call in Da Nang a month ago as part of what it called a goodwill tour that also took it to Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry called the Reagan’s port call part of a “normal friendly exchange for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in both the region and the world.”

Vietnam needs to balance its sensitive ties with Beijing with the U.S. outreach and domestic opinion, Parameswaran said, noting that polls suggest Vietnam’s people have among the highest levels of pro-U.S. sentiment in Southeast Asia.

Based in Yokosuka, Japan, the USS Ronald Reagan is the only forward-deployed American aircraft carrier. It is due to be replaced in that role next year by the USS George Washington, also a Nimitz-class carrier.

Explore the Midway from the Comfort of Home

Let’s be clear: there is no substitute for a real, in-person, all hands on board visit to the Midway. But, for now, here are a few ways to see all the spectacular experiences in store for you.

Midway 360 Virtual Tour

Select an area to explore.

• Flight Deck
• Hangar Deck
• Jet Airplanes
• Helicopters
• Battle of Midway Theater
• Visitor Center
• Helicopter Cockpit

Audio Tours

Listen to what it was like to live aboard a floating city at sea..

Choose from two engaging audio experiences for the entire family to enjoy! Midway’s award-winning Audio Tour & Family Audio Tour bring the ship’s history to life.

Our Family Audio Tour is perfect for our Little Skippers! Families can follow Airman Sam Rodriguez as he leads youngsters on an eye-opening and entertaining audio tour to more than 30 locations throughout the aircraft carrier.

Our Audio Tour is great to listen to Midway pilots describe their incredible experiences flying more than 20 different aircraft from the flight deck off of this floating airport. Learn what it was like to drop anchor, sleep in an enlisted sailor’s bunk or fly a WWII aircraft. From the Sick Bay, Galley, Laundry and Engine room hear Midway sailors describe their daily shipboard life in their own words!

Turn your speakers up and click on the numbered sound bites to begin your tour of the USS Midway! Tours are available in 6 languages, simply click on the flag to access your desired language.

More Midway Fun From Home

Midway’s Aircraft Gallery

Explore a unique collection of more than 30 Navy aircraft including jets, propeller planes, and helicopters!

Karl’s Korner: History Blog

Meet Karl Zingheim, USS Midway’s ship historian and a San Diego State University military professor and specialist in naval history. Karl shares slices of naval history in his blogs that are family friendly and compelling reads for the military history or curious buff.

Little Skippers: Activities 
for Kids

Learn naval history and all about the USS Midway Museum from Airman Sam Rodriguez. Download activity sheets, recipes, and enjoy the Family Audio Tour for some family fun in the comfort of your home.

UNITED STORIES OF AMERICA

Restoring one of the u.s.’s biggest aircraft carriers.

The son of a fisherman, he was an enlisted man who “came up the hawsepipe” to become Chief Warrant Officer aboard Midway. Today, he will tell you to go the engine room — because that’s where the values of responsibility and respect can be found.

Fall of Saigon Survivor Recounts U.S. Navy’s Rescue in Vietnam

As Saigon collapsed around her, Stephanie and her family ran to a rescue helicopter destined for the USS Midway. Stephanie experienced firsthand the chaos and heartbreak of the U.S. evacuation in Vietnam. But what stayed with her to this day is a perspective of how precious freedom truly is. It’s a tale she’s still sharing from the Midway.

U.S. Navy Aviator and Former P.O.W. Tells His Story

The combat missions seemed endless. First, Jack and his co-pilot shot down two North Vietnamese fighter jets only minutes apart. But on his 285th combat mission, he was shot down by the enemy. This former USS Midway aviator’s journey carried him through the depths of pain and humiliation at the “Hanoi Hilton” — and ultimately to triumph, honor, and personal peace.

How 40,000 Dozen U.S. Eggs Saved a Philippine Village

Jim was responsible for all the supplies aboard a floating city of 4,500 voracious young men. From eggs to pens to equipment weighing tons, there isn’t anything that USS Midway supply officer Jim Reily hasn’t seen, ordered, inventoried, and reordered. Rescuing families threatened by a massive volcano eruption in the Philippines reminded him why it mattered.

An Aerial Reconnaissance Chief Talks Operation Linebacker

Ed Murray defied the odds to make sure that Navy aircrews could rely on their 75 planes during combat missions. He regularly worked two 12-hour shifts back to back, prepping jets with parts from half a world away for each day's missions: a life of "eat, sleep, work, repeat." To date, Ed Murray has even logged 7,500 hours as a docent on the Midway. Dedication doesn’t run any deeper.

How A Former U.S. Navy Captain Helped Avoid A Nuclear War

The shortest flight of his career was over in “10 or 15 seconds” — when a botched catapult launch dumped Herb Zoehrer's aircraft into the ocean where he was rescued by Midway crewmembers. His longest flights? Going low and slow, chasing enemy submarines. In the Cuban Missile Crisis, Herb and his fellow airmen stepped up to maintain a fragile peace.

Supporting Sponsors

Your Adventure Starts Now

Your email is the key to information that will open up all your possibilities for exploring the mighty Midway!

Repeat After Me: The U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier's Are All Done

Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Navy's reliance on aircraft carriers is outdated in the face of modern anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

-In a conflict over Taiwan, submarines, long-range missiles, and amphibious capabilities should be prioritized over carriers.

-Submarines, particularly the Los Angeles-class, Virginia-class, and Seawolf-class, should be the primary tools for power projection.

-The Navy must focus on destroying A2/AD systems before considering the deployment of aircraft carriers to avoid making them liabilities in a high-threat environment.

Is the US Navy's Aircraft Carrier Strategy Outdated

The US Navy has gotten complacent. It has come to  view  its aircraft carrier force, the crown jewels of its surface fleet, as the cure all for great power competition.

For many years, this was a safe assumption. But in the age of  anti-access/area denial (A2/AD),  all bets are off. An entirely new paradigm is needed. 

The US military must focus on developing countermeasures for overcoming the A2/AD threats that  China , Russia,  Iran , and North Korea will deploy against US forces if a major war were to erupt. 

If a war with America’s number one strategic challenger, China,  erupted  anytime soon it would likely be over Taiwan. Beijing would, therefore, be “all-in” when it came to an invasion, and they would be fully aware of the prospect of US military intervention. 

Thus, Chinese forces would move swiftly to stunt whatever power projection capabilities the US military could bring to bear. Denying the aircraft carrier access to the Taiwan Strait area would be a critical move early at the start of any conflict. 

The Age of the Aircraft Carrier Is Over: Where Do We Go from Here?

Ideally, the Pentagon’s  assessments  of such a conflict occurring sometime between 2027 and never would pan out. That would give the US defense industrial base, which is a  broken  down husk of the once mighty “arsenal of democracy.”  Meanwhile, the defense industrial bases of  all  of America’s rivals—notably  China ,  Russia , and even  North Korea —are operating at record-breaking levels. 

The longer the conflict takes to start, the more that the American defense industrial base can right itself, and begin equipping its forces for the big war that could erupt at any moment over Taiwan.

Should conflict occur in the next year or so, the ideal situation will not be upon us. Instead, the US military, as it has done so often, will have to go to war with the (broken) military it has, not the robust military it needs—or wants.  Submarines  must be the Navy’s primary method of power projection (at least until China’s A2/AD threat is mitigated). 

Attack submarines will be key to deterring any Chinese invasion of Taiwan (should Washington decide to honor its admittedly ambiguous commitments to Taiwan via the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979). The bulk of the Navy’s  Los Angeles-class submarines , whatever  Virginia-class , and  Seawolf-class  submarines are operational must be removed from their respective areas of responsibility globally and brought into the INDOPACOM area of responsibility until the window of crisis closes (we are currently in the window of crisis).

The US Army  could conceivably provide  long-range strike capability to target and annihilate known Chinese A2/AD emplacements. The Marine Corps,  with their widespread  amphibious capability, could further destroy Chinese A2/AD systems spread throughout the area of responsibility. 

The essential element here is that the Navy, with its submarines, the Army with long-range missile—preferably hypersonic—systems, and the Marine Corps, with its amphibious capacity, should be the first points of contact between American and Chinese forces. 

Overcoming A2/AD

The Americans will have to strike hard and fast at the Chinese A2/AD systems, the moment that any Chinese invasion of Taiwan is detected. If the Chinese forces are given any amount of breathing space  they will use that time  to mount devastating counterspace strikes against sensitive American satellite constellations as well as brutal cyberattacks against the infrastructure of both Taiwan, their objective, and Taiwan’s allies—notably the United States—which could sow confusion and cripple the US military’s response.

Any thought of deploying aircraft carriers into the region to deter the invasion must be abandoned. Should China opt for an invasion, once their forces are moving, the path to violence will be inexorable. Such a pathway will only be ended through superior force of arms. 

Until those A2/AD systems are removed by the US military, none of the legacy systems the military uses for conventional power projection should be placed in harm’s way. Their utility would be negated immediately. In fact, they would be  more of a liability  for the US war effort than an advantage. 

The Navy must deprioritize the aircraft carrier and elevate the importance of the submarine. And it must do so in the face of the cultural love of flat tops as well as Washington’s obsession with big, beautiful weapons systems that the world can see. 

Submarines will be the primary naval weapon.

About the Author 

Brandon J. Weichert , a National Interest national security  analyst , is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, as well as at American Greatness and the Asia Times. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower (Republic Book Publishers), Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. Weichert can be followed via Twitter  @WeTheBrandon .

All images are Creative Commons. 

US aircraft carrier counters false Houthi claims with 'Taco Tuesdays'

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower may be one of the oldest aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, but it’s still fighting — despite repeated false claims by Yemen’s Houthi rebels

ABOARD THE USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER IN THE RED SEA -- The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower may be one of the oldest aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, but it's still fighting — despite repeated false claims by Yemen's Houthi rebels .

The Houthis and social media accounts supporting them repeatedly have falsely claimed they hit or even sank the carrier in the Red Sea. The carrier leads the U.S. response to the rebels' targeting of commercial vessels and warships in the crucial waterway — attacks the Houthis say are aimed at bringing an end to the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

The Eisenhower's leader, Capt. Christopher “Chowdah” Hill, is creatively striking back on social media to counter the misinformation — and boost the morale of the ship's 5,000 personnel — as the Navy faces its most intense combat since World War II .

“I think it’s been about two or three times in the past six months we’ve allegedly been sunk, which we have not been," Hill told The Associated Press during a recent visit to the carrier. "It is almost comical at this point. They’re attempting to maybe inspire themselves through misinformation, but it doesn’t work on us.”

The visit by two AP journalists and others to the Eisenhower represents part of the effort the Navy has made to try to counter the Houthi claims. While on board for about a day and a half, journalists escorted by sailors crisscrossed the nuclear-powered ship's 1,092-foot (332-meter) length. AP journalists also repeatedly circled the Eisenhower from the air in a Seahawk helicopter.

Other than rust on its side from the hot, humid Red Sea air and water apparently leaking from a pipe in a dining room, the ship appeared no worse for wear. Its flight deck bore no blast damage or gaping holes, just the stink of jet fuel, pooled puddles of oily water and the scream of engines before its F/A-18 fighter jets took flight.

The other half of the information warfare effort has been Hill himself, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, something noticeable immediately in his South Boston accent. While even the secretive leader of the Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has name-dropped the carrier in speeches while making false claims about the vessel, Hill has offered ceaselessly positive messages online about his sailors on board.

Videos of flight operations from the bridge and images of sailors eating cookies in the captain's chair are constant staple. After one false Houthi claim, Hill responded by posting images of cinnamon rolls and muffins in the bakery on board the Eisenhower — a subtle jab at the claims.

“The whole intent of the social media outreach was to connect with families, to bring them closer to the ship,” Hill said. "So if I can post pictures of sons and daughters, husbands and wives out here, or even fathers and mothers, get it out there, it just kind of brings the family closer to us. And again, that’s our support network. But it also took on another role because everyone else was watching to see what we’re doing.”

Then there's the “Star Wars” memes and images of Captain Demo , the Labrador-golden retriever mix who roams the ship as a support animal for sailors. And as far as the Houthi forces watching his postings, Hill takes special pleasure in writing about “Taco Tuesday” on the ship.

“We’re going to celebrate ‘Taco Tuesdays’ because it’s my absolute favorite day of the week. That will never end," the captain said. "If you call that an information warfare campaign, you can. It’s just who I am, you know, at the end of the day.”

But morale remains a deep concern for Hill and other leaders on board the ship. The Eisenhower and its allied ships have gotten just one short port call during the eight-month rotation so far to Greece. The carrier also has been the most-deployed carrier among the entire U.S. fleet over the last five years, according to an analysis by the U.S. Naval Institute's news service.

One sailor, Lt. Joseph Hirl from Raleigh, North Carolina, wore a patch reading: “Go Navy, Beat Houthis.” While that's a play on the classic call for the annual Army-Navy football game, the naval flight officer stressed that he knew the combat was deadly serious.

“It’s pretty much the day-in, day-out stress of knowing that we are being shot at definitely gives a realism to the whole experience that this is not a normal deployment," Hirl said.

Meanwhile, munitions also remain a concern. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told the U.S. Senate's Armed Services Committee in May the Navy had spent at least $1 billion in armaments to fight in the Red Sea. Every leader on board the Eisenhower that the AP spoke to acknowledged the Navy was trying to use the right weapon against the Houthis, whose asymmetrical warfare sees them use far cheaper munitions.

“My sailors, my ships are priceless — that’s not a calculus I want a captain to have," said Capt. David Wroe, the commodore overseeing the guided missile destroyers escorting the Eisenhower. "Now, using the appropriate effect weapon system on the appropriate threat to preserve magazine depth, to have more missiles, is certainly a germane tactical question.”

For now, the Eisenhower continues its patrol along with the USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser, and two destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Mason. It's been extended twice already and there's always the chance it could happen again. But Hill said his sailors remained ready to fight and he remained ready to continue to captain in his style.

“I came to a revelation at some point in my career that, one of the things that all humans require is to be loved and valued," Hill said. "So I shouldn’t be afraid, as a leader, to try to love and value everybody, and also to expect other leaders that I’m responsible for to love and value their sailors.”

Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Related Topics

• US Military

Trending Reader Picks

Taliban leader warns Afghans against earning money

• Jun 17, 9:04 AM

Joe Alwyn addresses split from Taylor Swift

• Jun 16, 5:43 PM

Famed New York City chef James Kent dies at 45

• Jun 16, 3:57 PM

China says Chinese ship, Philippine ship collided

• Jun 16, 11:17 PM

Woman holding large knife in Denver shot, killed

• Jun 16, 9:46 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's captain wants all his crew to feel loved

Gaza hospital eyewitness tells NBC News about victims of Israel's hostage rescue

Secretary Blinken says Hamas is responsible for prolonging war with Israel

Eyewitness of Israel's hostage rescue operation tells of indiscriminate killing

The fallout in Gaza after Israel’s daring hostage rescue

Biden welcomes hostage rescue by pushing ceasefire

Israel rescues four hostages in Gaza raid, reuniting families and leaving casualties

Dozens killed in Israeli attack on UNRWA school in Gaza

Israel targets U.N. school in Nuseirat, Gaza, claiming it held Hamas fighters

Gunman arrested after shootout at U.S. embassy in Beirut

‘He is a child. He did not fire rockets’: Father grieves for baby son killed in Gaza

'We are seeing nightmares': Doctor at Khan Younis hospital fears for patients and staff

Gaza aid crisis is not caused by supply issues but distribution, Blinken says

Gaza paramedics killed in Israeli attack on Red Crescent ambulance

Two young girls killed in an airstrike on a 'safe area' near Rafah

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike on tent encampment in Rafah, officials say

Hamas claims responsibility for firing missiles into Israel

Displaced Gazans say they are skeptical about ICJ ruling on Rafah

International Court of Justice set to rule on Israel's Rafah offensive in Gaza

Palestinian children killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza City school

Uss dwight d. eisenhower's captain wants all his crew to feel loved.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is one of the oldest aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, but it's still fighting — despite repeated false claims by Yemen's Houthi rebels that they have sunk it. June 17, 2024

Best of NBC News

NBC News NOW

Harvard professor discusses research claiming aliens may live on earth.

Trump holds rally in Wisconsin ahead of the first presidential debate

Maine authorities blame armed standoff on public defender shortage

New York father donates kidney to son with rare condition

Baseball legend Willie Mays dies at 93

One dead in New Mexico from dangerous wildfire

• Cover Letters
• Jobs I've Applied To
• Saved Searches
• Subscriptions

Marine Corps

Coast guard.

• Space Force
• Military Podcasts
• Benefits Home
• Military Pay and Money
• Veteran Health Care
• VA eBenefits
• Veteran Job Search
• Military Skills Translator
• Upload Your Resume
• Veteran Employment Project
• Vet Friendly Employers
• Career Advice
• Military Life Home
• Military Trivia Game
• Veterans Day
• Spouse & Family
• Military History
• Discounts Home
• Featured Discounts
• Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
• Electronics
• Join the Military Home
• Contact a Recruiter
• Military Fitness

Russian Flotilla Off Florida Coast Sparks Deployment of US Navy Destroyers, Planes

The Pentagon deployed three Navy destroyers and maritime patrol aircraft this week to keep tabs on a group of Russian ships that conducted missile exercises and reportedly got within 30 miles of the Florida coast.

"In accordance with standard procedure, we've been actively monitoring the Russian ships as they transit the Atlantic Ocean within international waters," a defense official, who spoke on the condition his name not be used, told Military.com in an emailed statement Wednesday.

The official added that "air and maritime assets under U.S. Northern Command have conducted operations to ensure the defense of the United States and Canada," but wouldn't elaborate on what those assets were. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh also wasn't able to offer specifics at a briefing to reporters Wednesday.

Read Next: Lasting Grief but Few Answers: Families of Troops Killed in Osprey Crashes React to Hearing on Troubled Aircraft

In contrast, Russia has been very clear about what ships were deployed and what they were up to.

Russian state-run media announced last week that a group of four ships, including a frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine, would be making a port call in Havana between June 12 and June 17.

On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in an online post that the ships conducted exercises in the use of "high-precision missile weapons in the Atlantic Ocean" and included video shot aboard the vessels.

"As part of the exercise, the crews of a frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine practiced the use of high-precision missile weapons using computer-simulated naval targets that represent naval groups of a mock enemy and are located at a distance of over 600 kilometers," the statement said, while noting no missiles were launched.

The Pentagon would not say what U.S. assets were deployed in response to the Russian presence, but online amateur analysts used public flight and ship-tracking data to identify the three destroyers as the USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook and USS Delbert D. Black on Tuesday.

They also identified U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft as part of the response.

The defense official who spoke with Military.com on Wednesday would go only so far as to say that the Navy's U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. 4th Fleet, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Canadian Joint Task Force Atlantic were all "conducting routine operations throughout the Atlantic, and we will continue to operate and engage from a position of strength."

A Defense Department photo of the Truxtun taken last week noted that the destroyer was sailing with the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone -- two ships that online analysts also suspected to be responding to the Russians.

Online analysts also estimated that the Russian flotilla got within 25 miles of shore. The Miami Herald, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that the ships sailed "less than 30 miles off South Florida's coast" on Tuesday.

According to images uploaded to sites such as Telegram by Russian state-run outlets, the Russian ships , including the frigate and the submarine, pulled into Havana on Wednesday.

Singh, the Pentagon spokeswoman, downplayed the presence of the flotilla by telling reporters that "we've seen them do this -- these type of port calls before -- and these are routine naval visits that we've seen under different administrations."

"We're always constantly going to monitor any foreign vessels operating near U.S. territorial waters ... but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States," she added.

However, unlike prior port visits that involved less-advanced Russian vessels, the submarine and the frigate are some of the newest and most advanced Russian warships currently in that country's arsenal.

The frigate, the "Admiral Gorshkov," was commissioned in 2018.

Meanwhile, the submarine, the "Kazan," was commissioned in 2021 and is similar to U.S. guided-missile nuclear submarines, capable of carrying a range of anti-ship and land attack missiles, including the hypersonic "Zircon" anti-ship missile, according to an analysis by the U.K.-based think tank Royal United Services Institute , or RUSI.

RUSI's report noted that the Kazan has " a reported level of quietness comparable to the very best Western [nuclear submarines] and a long-range strike capability which exceeds that seen on most Western assets."

USNI News reported in 2014 that a U.S. Navy official in charge of its submarine program was so impressed with that class of Russian submarine that he had a model of the lead boat -- the Severodvinsk -- placed outside his office so that he could look at it daily.

The defense official who spoke with Military.com said that, while Russian naval visits to Cuba are routine, they have "ratcheted up because of U.S. support to Ukraine and exercise activity in support of our NATO allies."

"We should expect more of this activity going forward," the official added.

Related: Navy Relieved 12 Commanders in 6 Months -- Including 3 Firings that Were Never Publicly Announced

Konstantin Toropin

You May Also Like

The U.S. territory hasn't had a neonatal intensive care unit that meets U.S. standards of care since at least 2020. A...

Col. William Wright, the director of the U.S. Military Academy's geospatial information science program, was arraigned on...

The original film depicted Richard Gere as Zack Mayo, a troubled and rebellious loner who wants to finish Navy Aviation...

Under the amendment Tricare Prime and Tricare Select would be required to cover a range of fertility treatments, including...

Military News

• Investigations and Features
• Military Opinion

Select Service

• National Guard

Most Popular Military News

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in an online post that the ships conducted exercises in the use of "high-precision...

A decade of declining recruitment numbers for the Army is almost entirely attributable to a significant drop in male...

The service announced Friday that it relieved Cmdr. David Ruhlig on June 3 "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to...

For the second year in a row, the House approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, mostly along...

The U.S. military launched the disinformation campaign following a decision by then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper to loosen...

Latest Benefits Info

• Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): What You Need to Know
• 8 Keys to Understanding VA Loan Occupancy Rules
• Paying for School with Federal Aid
• The GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program Explained
• VA Health Care Eligibility

More Military Headlines

President Joe Biden has delayed delivering certain heavy bombs to Israel since May over concerns about the killing of...

After more than a dozen MV-22 Osprey incidents involving what is known as a hard clutch engagement, or HCE, military...

• West Point Officer Arraigned on Charges of Drinking with Cadets, Violating No-Contact Orders for Women's Tennis Team
• Lawmakers Move to Defund US Military's Gaza Aid Pier After Torrent of Problems
• Army Lieutenant Colonel Says Lewiston Shooter Had 'Low Threat' Profile upon Leaving Hospital
• Robins Air Force Base Officer Sued over Vaccine Rule. What Happens Now with Mandate Dropped?
• Air Force Has Spent Nearly $59M to Address PFAS at Wright-Patterson
• Court-Martial for Air Force General Accused of Sexual Assault Being Held This Week in Texas
• The Military on Guam Has No Intensive Care Unit for Newborns in Critical Condition. Some Don't Make It.
• 'An Officer and a Gentleman' Is Getting a Remake. Here Are 5 Actors Who Could Play Sgt. Emil Foley
• New Parking to Alleviate Tough Sailor Commutes at Newport News Shipyard After Spate of Suicides

Military Benefits Updates

• The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know
• VA Fertility Benefits for Military Veterans
• Virginia Veterans Rally the Troops, State Leaders in Support of Education Benefits
• After Deadly Crashes, New 'Leading Theory' on Osprey Issues Points to Sprag Clutches
• Marine Corps Cuts Time for SkillBridge Transition Program, Citing a Drain on 'Unit Readiness'
• A Year After the Titan's Tragic Dive, Deep-Sea Explorers Vow to Pursue Ocean's Mysteries
• Coast Guard Relieves Commander of Biggest Station for Failing to Act on Harassment Claims
• From the Coast Guard to NASA: How Andre Douglas Became a Rarity Among Astronauts

Entertainment

• Watch 'Band of Brothers' Cast Members Jump into Normandy for D-Day's 80th Anniversary
• ‘World of Tanks’ Wants You to Invade Normandy During D-Day