#aircraft carriers

Skylines….

SAN DIEGO, CA (October 13, 2020) – United States Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USSTheodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) becomes part of the skyline in its homeport.

The warship and it’s crew of nearly 6,000 men and women is preparing for its next overseas deployment in early 2021.

                                 USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

                                           _____________________

>>Top photo: Mass Communication Specialist2nd Class Kyle Hafer, USN

Acreage at sea….

ATLANTIC OCEAN (November 9, 2020) – The vast size of the flight deck aboard the United States Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USSGerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is evident….

….as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate directs an E-2C Hawkeye into position for an electromagnetic catapultlaunch.

The flight deck on the new Gerald R. Ford-class carriers covers 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares)….or, 196,000 square feet (18,200 square meters)….or, space for 65 large (3,000 square foot / 279 square meter) suburban homes.

                                   USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

                                       _____________________

>>Top photo: Mass Communication Specialist2nd Class Ryan Seelbach, USN

Lightning pilot….

NORTH SEA (October 10, 2020) – United States Marine Corps fighter pilot Major Christopher Brandt, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, prepares for takeoff in an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike FighteraboardBritish Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMSQueen Elizabeth (R 08).

                                  HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08)

The U.S. Marine Corps pilots and flight crews are onboard the British carrier to conduct cross-training with their United Kingdom counterparts in preparation for the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployment coming up in Spring 2021. The carrier will deploy with the brand-new F-35B Lightning II’s onboard….and ready for action.

                                        __________________

>>CLICK the photos for a much closer look….

>>In the sixth photo above….showing Major Brandt taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth….note the position of the main engine, directing thrust almost downward….as his supersonic short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B takes off from the ski-jump forward flight deck.

>>Top six photos: 1st LT Zachary Bodner, USMC

Armed and Ready….

PERSIAN GULF (October 29, 2020) – A flight deck crew member signals while an F/A-18E Super Hornet is armed and readied for launch from United States Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USSNimitz (CVN 68).

Moments later, LT Charlotte Thayer, USN, piloted her fighter jet into the skies in this often troubled part of the world….

                                           ____________________

>>ZOOM-IN on the top photo to get a closer look….and note the pilot’s name and an award-winning flight-crew member’s name stenciled on the aircraft – points  of professional pride, and a traditional honor for both.

>>Top photo: Mass Communication Specialist3rd Class Elliot Schaudt, USN

             USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on patrol in the Persian Gulf