New Zealand Girl Reacts to HOW AIRCRAFT CARRIERS WORK | CITIES AT SEA

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[@shibboleth5768]

Another cool aspect of US Aircraft Carriers and their Carrier Fleet is their disaster relief capabilities. A single aircraft carrier can pump, desalinate, purify and produce over 200,000 gallons of drinking water every day. They can produce and send out enough drinking water for entire cities in times of disaster. This has been done many times. A Big example was during the 2011 Japanese tsunami disaster. It was during the US Military relief effort called Operation Tomodachi or Operation Friend. The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group anchored offshore providing a safe airport to fly in over 100 tons of aid supplies from the USA and was sending out fresh drinking water to shore. It was sending out its own helicopters in the search and rescue effort. The other ships supporting the USS Ronald Reagan were also sending out their Helicopters to aid in the search, dropping off supplies, sending their amphibious boats to help the US and Japanese troops land where docks were damaged, and even deployed their on-board marines to aid in the relief effort. A US Carrier and its battle group of support ships are basically the gold standard for Disaster Relief quick response. Its pretty awesome.

[@cheeseninja1115]

never thought of that possibility, really interesting to think about

[@garyballard179]

Any time there's tsunamis, cyclones, mudslides, explosions/disasters... the US Navy is one of the first on scene to assist.

[@michealdrake3421]

Don't forget that their nuclear reactors can be used to provide power to critical shore facilities, and medical bays and cafeterias can treat and feed thousands with machine efficiency, and that's not even counting the other ships in their strike groups and assets like hospital ships. And the simple fact that they're a massive military force equipped with the latest in sci-fi technology does a good job of keeping things orderly when a natural disaster temporarily wipes out the government's ability to enforce the law.

[@ctmdarkonestm]

Most rewarding work i've ever been part of

[@jdanon203]

Yep. I remember during one of the tsunamis or earthquakes in southeast Asia some years ago, the U.S. sent a nearby carrier and the French made some comment about us sending a military ship, and the U.S. replied that an aircraft carrier can generate half a million gallons of fresh water from the sea each day, power a small city with its nuclear reactor, had plenty of food, has first class hospitals on board, helicopters for rapid rescues and airlifting resources into hard to reach places, and of course can provide air traffic control services for damaged airports.

[@CC78363]

USS Enterprise and USS Theodore Roosevelt veteran here!

[@CourtneyCoulston]

Amazing! I have big respect for you, thank you for your service! ❤️

[@MrFlatage]

Let's see ... Proof of Service in accordance with US civil rights. ;-) Stealing Valor is not cool. It is a crime.

[@CC78363]

Stolen Valor? Don’t come at me with this crap. I started in 1991 as a Seaman Recruit and Retired in 2011 as a Hospital Corps Chief Petty Officer. I have the credentials to back up a wonderful career serving this country. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

[@MrFlatage]

@@CC78363 Hmmm US Congressional Acts, US Federal Law and the US Constitution are now called ... crap. Wow! So US civil rights are not supported and defended by you proving you are not what you say you are. It is everyones civil right to ask Proof of Service to anyone who claims to be or ever has been a US servicemember. But you violate that right ... Now US servicemembers take an oath so as to ... not prove themselves to anyone? Yea you never served. Not letting that happen in my land of the free where I salute the mighty red, white and blue.

[@barreloffun10]

Chrstoph Paul Ignore the trolls, Chief.

[@militarymaster07]

I was a nuclear machinist mate on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. I've stood directly on top both reactors (have to for inspection while shutdown in port). Wish more would be discussed about the nuclear plants. Following 9/11 the responding carrier out ran the rest of the battle group to drop the first bombs. Love all your reactions, keep it up :)

[@CourtneyCoulston]

Wow that's incredible! Not many people would be able to say that they've done that. Thank you for your service and thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️

[@militarymaster07]

@Wes Takahashi what do you mean? Risky to out run the rest of the battle group? It was a terrorist attack. Not like Pearl Harbor when a country's Navy was there to fight back.

[@sgbench]

I was under the impression that the main reason the reactors aren't talked about much is because they're mostly classified

[@rsrt6910]

Most of the discussion about US Naval Nuclear power is classified NNPI and even the more general and mundane stuff is classified NOFORN (No FOReign Nationals, I am so, so sorry about that Courtney, it's nothing personal, but thems be da laws) so very little beyond the basics of nuclear power can be legally discussed openly in a KZbin video. (Heap of magic rocks get hot, make steam)

[@russellrofe4849]

I was a ELT on a Nimitz class.

[@jonathanbrady5243]

This was a great video, it's really cool to see people learning about the United States. One thing I wanted to point out was that it's not just the ships and planes and tanks. It's the people, the soldiers sailors airmen marines and coast-guardsmen. They are what make the United States military so strong. For example, the story of the USS Samuel B Roberts FFG-58. Named for the USS Samuel B Roberts DE-413, she had big shoes to fill bearing such a legendary name in the US Navy. Unfortunately she struck a mine while sailing in the Persian Gulf which tore a 40 foot hole in her hull amidships. She was on fire, was taking on water, and looked like a lost cause. The captain wrote later of seeing men running through the corridors as the vessel sank and as they passed a memorial to DE-413 and her crew, each man touched the plaque. The crew somehow managed to save the ship in the best damage control effort in US Navy history, she would be repaired and return to service. The captain says that his crew was inspired by the actions of DE-413 and that spirit saved the ship. Regardless of what drove the crew to save the ship, computer models after the event showed no way the ship could have survived. This story proves that no matter how advanced our warships and aircraft and tanks are, it's the brave Americans serving in them that make the difference.

[@glastonbury4304]

Us needs to learn about the world, not the other way round

[@Jacob-xs5yu]

Glastonbury nah we know bout the world ur just one those people that think the US abuses it’s power and all the other stupid shit y’all come up eit

[@jinyatta4103]

My "ship" In Bootcamp was the Sammy B.

[@glastonbury4304]

@@Jacob-xs5yu and thats exactly why you need to learn about the world 🤦🤦

[@glastonbury4304]

@ yes, he is a bit of a pain isn't he. Probably dropped his teeth on the porch whilst playing his banjo!👍😉

[@godlessveteran2431]

The speed they state is just the nonclassified speed. They're faster than that.

[@TheATHLETE420]

I was gonna say that. I was on the Cushing DD985 and we could go around what they said in the video. Carriers were so much faster though

[@saieshwar9716]

But aren't all the military related info is just a approx?

[@godlessveteran2431]

sai eshwar no. Actual speed is classified.

[@saieshwar9716]

@@godlessveteran2431 oh ok

[@allaboutthejourney488]

Not just faster, but considerably faster.

[@solarduchess989]

I’m active duty Navy right now, and I love your military reactions and especially this one since I’m constantly on a aircraft carrier. Keep up the good work love your content.

[@-C.S.R]

My dad served on the USS Enterprise CVAN-65 in Vietnam and every time I talk to him he still talks about it!

[@kennethsalyer1596]

NZ and America are allies we will fight for you as you will fight for other allies Small numbers still add to a great united military

[@CourtneyCoulston]

❤️❤️

[@niogel]

And correct me if I am wrong, but with NZ's recent move to ban firearms for civilians I imagine that would make it more difficult to defend if someone (we know who that is) were to try something. We have your backs! Plus you have the Maori! Fearless! Some of the finest warriors to walk the Earth!

[@richhahl1340]

Come on America would never let anyone hurt Middle Earth. If they had, they would know pain. But I seriously doubt anyone wants to hurt New Zealand. Basically you're the Switzerland of the Pacific.

[@anthonydrake4244]

Unless Trump decides to cancel training exercises to build our combined skillsets...oh wait... Didn't he already do that when KimJungUn asked?

[@niogel]

@@anthonydrake4244 I don't know your background or how well informed you are on military exercises, but the US has preformed multiple military exercises with South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines along with many freedom of navigation excursions throughout the South China Sea while Donald Trump has been president. The only time I can find where they talked of delaying/stopping was during the peace negotiations which did put an official end to the war. Even though Kim Jong Un's regime ultimately decided that they do not intend to join the global community, the efforts of President Trump were more aimed at the people of North Korea. Just look at the number of defectors since President Trump began the talks.

[@samsignorelli]

@ Courtney...you can find vids of flight operations on carrier decks. Controlled chaos is putting it mildly. Not only are jobs indicated by shirt colors, all the hand signals have specific meanings. It may look like they're randomly waving their arms about like they're having a grand mal seizure, but in a noisy environment with jets howling and props turning, clear communication is vital. There are specific hand signals for every step of ops....from engine start to launch. And if you think landing in daylight and calm seas is impressive, imagine slamming tons of flying metal onto a deck that's heaving in heavy seas, in bad weather, and at night.

[@CourtneyCoulston]

Hi Sam! ahh yes i noticed the hand signals. I figured they all mean something. and absolutely, i hadn't even thought about it on rough seas or at night, truly impressive!

[@michealdrake3421]

@@CourtneyCoulston That's where the sites at which the planes come in to land can be an asset. If a plane misses all of the drag lines, it's still going fast enough to take off again and come around for another try.

[@lucuix9901]

Growing up in the US, they have alot of the old Aircraft carriers available for the public. It is amazing getting to get onto the deck of those ships. It just feels like an island.

[@CourtneyCoulston]

thats so cool. im gonna try get to one, one day

[@lucuix9901]

@@CourtneyCoulston Go to Texas. Near Houston you have the Last remaining Dreadnought Battleship The USS Texas. Then just a short drive south in Corpus is the USS Lexington. It has a ton of History. First Aircraft carrier that had Woman crew members. It was sunk 4 times and 4 times it was revived. Best of all, they have a massive 3d mega Theatre where they will show movies on the carrier. Bring your man because that is an epic date night lol

[@operator0]

@@CourtneyCoulston NYC has one. They have a lot of cool aircraft on display aboard it, like a space shuttle and the SR-71.

[@joehaddow2746]

@@lucuix9901 I think people can't go on the Texas right now because as far as I know there getting ready to relocate it and repair it.

[@lucuix9901]

@@joehaddow2746 Yeah but Im sure she wouldn't be making that trip for years anyway

[@spuds416]

The US actually has 24 aircraft carriers if you include the Marine Expeditionary Forces vessels which launch Helicopters and now F35 Lightning 2 (the F35's replaced the AV8-B Harrier)

[@michealdrake3421]

He did imply in the source video though that he was talking specifically about ships capable of launching fixed wing aircraft.

[@retirednavy8720]

Technically the big deck gators are not carriers. They are amphibious assault ships. I spent several years in the gator navy on the USS Nashville LPD-13 whch was part of the USS Iwo Jima Strike Group.

[@ironseabeelost1140]

I believe it's eleven super carriers and nine amphibious carriers today!

[@costakeith9048]

@@michealdrake3421 The amphibious assault ships are capable of launching the F-35B, which is the same plane and same variant that the British carriers are using. Combined with the F-35B they really do represent a return of the escort carrier concept to the navy.

[@matthewjackson5325]

@@ironseabeelost1140 with 9 more on the way!

[@billneville6171]

I was a crew man on the USS Lexington before it became a museum after awhile you get used to it and see and do things nobody else can. For instance I got to land on the ship at sea and that was interesting.

[@ronwest8842]

I spent 6 years on two different carriers. Out of my 22 years of active duty. That was my best duty. Now these were older conventional carriers. As a supply type there was a lot of work but it was still fun.,!!😎🇺🇸✌️

[@ronwest8842]

Keen R I was on the Indy. In the early 90s. I cross decked from the Midway when she came over to Yosuka. I liked the midway. Knew a guy who was on the air wing that went on the Kitty hawk. Small world. I liked carrier duty. The only time u knew that there were 5000 crew was Liberty call and still beach. Lol!!!😎🇺🇸✌️

[@danieldunlap4077]

@Keen R I was with VFA 195 December 99-03', then with VFA-102 (VF-154's) replacement from 04 to 06'.

[@victorwaddell6530]

@@ronwest8842 I was CFAY Security in Yokosuka when Midway steamed out for the last time , and I was there when Indy sailed in for the first time . Yeah , I was one of those guys in camo patrolling the Honcho when you were on Liberty . Before CFAY I sailed on a DDG , and after CFAY I sailed on a CG .

[@danieldunlap4077]

@@ronwest8842 I was probably in the airwing with your guy. I got Japan in December of 99' and was assigned to VFA-195, then VFA-102, which replaced VF-154, afterwards.

[@HillbillyWhisperer63]

I spent 3 1/2 years on the Eisenhower and a little over a year on the Nimitz. I was a weather guesser, (Aerographer's Mate)

[@robinmills8675]

My hairdresser's son was struck by a plane tire (or the thing that helps the plane brake, I can't recall which) on an aircraft carrier. He lost his leg, but he is the first person to ever survive that type of accident. He was 18 or 19 at the time. Straight out of high school. I am vicariously proud of him.

[@whirledpeaz5758]

I served on the USS Eisenhower in the 1980s, imagine being in the middle of the Atlantic before the internet.

[@golddredging]

Been there, done that. CV-67 1980-82

[@aleksbiteman5324]

Explains a lot about the rumors you hear regarding sailors XD

[@golddredging]

@@aleksbiteman5324 What are those rumors?

[@aleksbiteman5324]

@@golddredging Lol the old joke that all you sailors have to do on a boat is each other.

[@golddredging]

At sea, 12 hours on and 12 hours off, working, eating, and sleeping is pretty much sop and you can never get enough sleep.

[@michealdrake3421]

6:00 So, here's a little bit of useful context on the politics that put one of our carriers right next to China, a country with which we have a VERY complicated relationship which tends to range from cool to openly hostile. Now, China has recently begun trying to enforce ownership claims over the South China Sea. This is because China faces the problem that most of the island nations on the borders of that sea are close allies of the US, which means that if tensions between our countries ever boil over, it would be very easy for us to enforce a naval blockade, and since China's economy is dependent on exports, that would destroy it overnight. For China, no shipping means no money and no power. Knowing this, China has been throwing its weight around in the region, doing things like building artificial islands and the arguing that those islands should count toward their Exclusive Economic Zone. In response, the US sent a carrier group down to the SCS to tour the area, say hi to our island allies, and if it's presence happens to remind China why they shouldn't push us or fuck with our friends, well that's just icing on the cake. In short, it was a power move because China was making a few of those themselves. 9:15 That's luxury compared to a submarine, where you'll usually be sharing a bunk with another crew member, each sleeping while the other is awake 10:13 That's actually kind of an interesting point right there. Every now and then a President will propose bringing carriers in for refits and such, and there is pretty much guaranteed to be an uproar over the prospect of us not having aircraft carriers on the ocean, for a variety of good and bad reasons. 12:00 This is a good point, these ships might be more vulnerable than prior want to believe, but to me, that just says we need to reevaluate their defenses. A second point is that sinking an aircraft carrier is not the end of the war, it's the start. If anyone ever sunk a US aircraft carrier, well, the US has launched full scale invasions over far less. Part of what protects those ships is the knowledge of the consequences for sinking one. And the fact is, the US has so many that sinking one wouldn't even be a significant military victory overall. An accomplishment, yes, but there's 10 more ready to take its place.

[@Dylanking10]

God bless America!

[@golddredging]

"but there's 10 more ready to take its place" And all would be more than ready to burn the culprit of that sinking and all they hold dear, to the ground.

[@mrexists5400]

on that last point, it's not a guarantee to sink a carrier if they got torps off, not even a guarantee to disable it. a thick hull, most compartments can be made water tight quickly, well trained damage control response and every single sailor has some fire fighting training, they'd be tough to put down. the easiest way to knock them out of the fight is to land some bombs on the flight deck, very hard to launch and recover aircraft with craters on the flight deck

[@Caseytify]

Alas, anti-mine & anti-sub operations aren't very sexy, so they don't get a lot of attention. The most recent non-nuclear subs are capable of Air Independent Operation. They are very, very quiet & hard to find.

[@usgator]

You probably at least had a mattress on the sub. You should see where us infantry often sleep. ;) Just poking fun. We all had a different role to play. I’ve done two tours in combat as an infantry team leader but I probably couldn’t hack it on a sub. I’d rather be shot at on land than live in isolation 100s of meters below the sea.

[@chemislife]

They missed a few carriers for the US, though that is more because we technically don't call them "carriers" lol We have ships called "amphibious assault ships" like the USS America which operationally can function like an aircraft carrier and is about the same size as the UK HMS Queen Elizabeth.

[@CourtneyCoulston]

interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@operator0]

Interesting fact: Back in the 60s the UK parliament decided that the UK didn't need Carriers, so they cut funding to all aircraft carrier production. The UK Navy, along with some politicians renamed their carriers to 'Through Deck Cruisers' to get around the funding blockade.

[@chemislife]

@@operator0 lol that is next level react adapt improvise

[@baronofrhodes1185]

Our landing ships are not nearly as big as the HMS Queen Elizabeth, but are more comparable to the Charles de Gaulle. Still, we have many, many landing ships too.

[@chemislife]

@@baronofrhodes1185 in both displacement and max aircraft they are very compatible to the Elizabeth from what I saw. I didn't check the actual sizes so if the size is the that much smaller I'm more impressed with how many planes they seem to claim to be able to fit.

[@TheGerrok]

I was on a smaller helicopter carrier (LHD), and I can tell you that most of the time the people on there weren't doing anything productive like working out. Most of our time was spent watching movies, playing cards, or trash talking over video games.

[@jdanon203]

Keep in mind these are just supercarriers. Many countries have smaller carriers that have helicopters instead of fixed wing aircraft. With the U.S. and allies buying the F-35B jets that can land vertically, it allows those smaller helicopter carriers to now have fixed wing aircraft. The U.S. marines for example will fly the F-35B, and their ships will carry up to 20 of these jets plus the helicopters they have traditionally carried.

[@linusa2996]

There is a minimum number of aircraft before the ship is no longer considered to be able to defend itself. 20 aircraft means you have 16 combat capable aircraft, or 8 2 ship elements. That breaks down to 2 planes available for Combat Air Patrol at any given time.

[@TheTexasorbusted]

I was a nuclear machinist mate (glorified plumber) on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) from Sept '02 to Jan '07. It's true that you can go weeks without seeing the sun. It's a floating city. And a nickname for an aircraft carrier is a "target" because it really is a floating target. But it's probably one of the safest places on Earth to be because of the ship's company protecting it.

[@victorwaddell6530]

I was an OS on a DDG and a CG . We got you covered , Shipmate.

[@maxwellharris507]

The greatest carrier is USS Enterprise CV(N)-6. She earned 20 Battle Stars, 6 Presidential Unit Citations, and the Lord’s Admiralty Pennant; that makes her the only American ship to earn the Royal Navy’s highest honour. But she was sold for scrap in 1958, only after fundraising efforts to save her failed

[@4catsnow]

There should be Constitutional stipulation that the U S Navy always has three front line carriers named Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown.

[@maxwellharris507]

@Thomase Synek in CV-6's case, the N stood for Night operations

[@jamesharris4695]

This is why time machine creation is important

[@TheChoochooboy99]

Thomase Synek my father served on the Saratoga back in the 1970’s. He then served on the Independence in the 1980’s. I remember as a kid waiting for my dad to come off the Saratoga in Mayport after one of his Med cruises. It was an amazing experience. I miss those times.

[@markmark2080]

@@TheChoochooboy99 My dad served on the Saratoga CV 3 from '36 - '40, they conducted 2 war games where they played the part of a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, interesting stuff.

[@jayman58016]

US carriers have more air power than a lot nations air forces. When one or more of those shows up off of your coast when you've been acting up you'd better settle down quick. LOL

[@CourtneyCoulston]

for real haha

[@colinsmith1495]

@@CourtneyCoulston Realize, this is actually a big piece of US peace-keeping. It's the idea that a firearm doesn't need to fire a shot to do it's job. Just knowing that it _can_ can make people behave. Same thing with a carrier, only on a national scale.

[@matthew9677]

And we had 3 of those near north korea simultaneously a couple years ago.

[@DeusEx1977]

The US Air Force is the largest Air force in the world. The US Navy is the second largest Air Force in the world.

[@fredflintlocks9445]

@@DeusEx1977 To be fair it only became that way because the Soviet Red Air Force was the largest air force for ~40 years and we had to compete, after they broke up alot of planes were divided up between the former soviet states, sold to 3rd world countries, scrapped etc, and we've been downsizing since then too.

[@stevengoodpaster3330]

The US navy has the second largest air force in the world. Some carrier groups can be 20or more ships...scary ain't it? I was thinking the sub fleet is unmatched you should check them out then you said you would. I went into the navy because of the subs...they are so badass

[@CourtneyCoulston]

insaaane but also so cool at the same time

[@Cubs-Fan.10]

The Navy, Air Force and Army has had a 'Biggest d**k' competition for a very long time in regards to air force. Which is why the US dominates other nations military force. We compete within our own departments to be the best, while other nations just do what they can to stay viable in the threat of war.

[@stevengoodpaster3330]

I went to the ASW (anti submarine warfare) base in san diego and was shocked. Mess hall was a 3star restaurant, quarters were 2star quality and I was like that's for me

[@garymartin9777]

But not enough pilots to go around.

[@ironseabeelost1140]

@@Cubs-Fan.10 So has Mcdonalds and Burger King, So what?

[@randygumaer282]

Hi Courtney, I served on the aircraft carrier USS RANGER CV-61. I loved every second of it. Serving on an aircraft carrier was the adventure of my life. working hard, serving my country, and visiting friendly allies (countries), and experiencing different cultures.

[@spuds416]

I had the privilege of serving my country for 20 years. I was stationed in Germany (2year tour unaccompanied) . After I got married I had to go "remote 1 year" to South Korea when I left my wife was pregnant, after 5 months on went home on mid tour baby was "late" 7 days after birth I was back in Korea for 7 more months. That was hard I also have an older child she was 5 at the time. I have also been deployed to the "desert" several times. It's a commitment that we choose the Military is not for everyone. America's Military is a totally volunteer force.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

My Dad was on the USS Yorktown in WW2 and it was sunk at Midway. These were the first Carriers and they have improved tremendously since 1942. Amazing to see the growth of this class of ship over the decades.

[@donaldwantola5800]

"The United States is the defender of the free world whether we like it or not, because we are the only ones that can do it." - President Ronald Regan

[@smylebutta7250]

And that is on brainwashing.

[@yamemeguy4744]

smylebutta7250 would you rather live under Chinese rule?

[@jamieswafford977]

@@yamemeguy4744 I know I definitely wouldn't.

[@nicolivoldkif9096]

@@smylebutta7250 it's the truth whether you want to or not. The China and Russia are not going to be putting forth a very libertarian freedom ideal. The EU has the money to possibly match the US but will constantly be hampered from the fact that it doesn't have a unified command or even objectives because of numerous countries involved.

[@michealdrake3421]

@@nicolivoldkif9096 Agreed. I disagree with a lot about US politics and foreign policy, but it's an undeniable fact that the navy is doing a job that benefits everyone and that no one else is doing because no one else has the money, equipment, and manpower to do it. That's not a derogatory statement to any of them. They have their own capabilities and they can decide how best to use them. But as things stand, it's a job that needs to be done, and no one else is doing it. And I think we all know the story of Somebody, Anybody, Nobody, and Everybody.

[@lesliemurphy7808]

I served in an A-6 aircraft squadron at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach from 87-90 and we were on the very last 6 month cruise of the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier; also the workup cruises for the USS Abraham Lincoln and then the USS Theodore Roosevelt for a 6 month cruise. I've got to say that it was a lot of fun on our shore times at our Naval Base; but the biggest thrill of my life doing night time flight operations launching and recovering jets on the flight deck. The synchronicity was amazing teamwork and everyone had each others back. A lot of polls back then said that it was the most dangerous jobs in the world and I'm here to agree. You can't hear anyone speak so we had to rely only on flashlights and hand signals.

[@lawrencenull]

The US numbers don't take into account the mothball fleets. The full number is very large.

[@ericlanglois9194]

There are three carriers that are still around that were retired, the Kitty Hawk, the Enterprise and the John F Kennedy... Kitty Hawk and Enterprise are both awaiting plans for scrapping, while John F Kennedy is on hold pending negotiations for donation as a museum ship. All other carriers that are no longer active have either already been scrapped, sold or turned into museum ships.

[@benruss4130]

@@ericlanglois9194 not any more, they never found any organization that they would trust with it so its scheduled to hit the scrapper.

[@Outdoor-Avenger]

Awesome video my dad served on the USS Midway during Vietnam. He was an Aviation technician if That’s the correct term for it. He worked on the A-7 Corsair attack aircraft. my dad spent almost 3 years out at sea. When me and my family go to the ocean sometimes for vacation. We always try to get Dad to come with us. I always tell him we’re going to the ocean don’t you want to go. He always says I spent three years on the ocean I have seen enough of it. Lol

[@CourtneyCoulston]

wow thats amazing! Huge kudos to your father!

[@Outdoor-Avenger]

Courtney Coulston thank you he will appreciate that.

[@Outdoor-Avenger]

Wes Takahashi Thank you

[@wildgrizz2221]

there is a documentary that was shown in the States called Carrier it was shown on our PBS was a very good watch

[@papawjohn9588]

Don't know if it's still there, but it was on youtube. Great program, as the people were aboard for a whole deployment, and focused on the lives of a few lower ranked people.

[@nocalsteve]

Carrier : Fortress at Sea

[@coriolass]

It was a great Doc, though I'm biased. Our flight deck officer Lt. Cdr Odenwelder was interviewed for it, that guy was kind of a legend for us, a true badass.

[@kruser79]

I always loved the idea of our aircraft carriers, studied them as a kid. The chance to see one in person dropped my jaw. If you "can't imagine", you should see one for yourself! I believe the word is gobsmacked, lol!

[@yugioht42]

The true Flagship carrier of our fleet is the legendary USS Enterprise. The ship has a storied past from WW2, the enterprise fought in every naval engagement of the pacific during that time only once was she seriously damaged by a bomb hit losing her forward aircraft elevator which blew sky high. But she refused to sink, she was repaired later that year and fully updated with new guns and better technologies. Enterprise was scrapped at the end of WW2 but from some of that scrap came the new USS Enterprise with the first nuclear reactor on a ship. This ship is constantly being updated with new technologies including radar jammers, new heat seeking missiles, new stuff to stop stealth planes, even new sonar for submarines. Actually the Enterprise now has a few depth charges that it can launch to stop submarines. I believe the US government is developing a electric detection system to track enemy submarines or planes just by their electrical output alone so stealth wouldn’t work. Every kid in the US kinda grows up with the legends of the Enterprise and it’s exploits and it’s unsinkable nature. Heck the Japanese were so scared just by the sight of the ship emerging from the mist during Guadalcanal because they thought they sank her earlier that month which they didn’t. This is why it’s so paramount that carriers are out at sea doing their job as they prove the strength of America and forces enemies to rethink their plans.

[@jamesharris4695]

A true fighting ship!

[@kdrapertrucker]

The enterprise that served in WWII was CV-6 and was scrapped in the 1950s, the Enterprise you think of was CVN-65 the first nuclear powered carrier that was launched in 1960 and was decommissioned 3 years ago and is being scrapped currently. The CVN-80 is under Construction and is using steel recycled from the scrapping of CVN-65 and should launch in 2024 as the new U.S.S. Enterprise

[@dalejohnson9342]

I see that someone else has mentioned the Disaster relief aspect of the carriers. I was on one carrier and it had three disaster calls while I was on board. On top of that they have complete hospitals with medical personnel, Doctors, Surgeons, Dentists, and even rehabilitation therapists on board and are used often for other ships (not just military) and persons who are in need of immediate medical assistance.There were ten babies born to at risk ladies from three different countries that we were traveling past, multiple heart attack victims from other (non-military) ships and assistance for disabled vessels and search and rescue for many people while we were on deployment. By the way this was when there were no females on aircraft carriers (1970s').

[@billyculbertson3880]

I did sub service in the USN so I’d like to see u learn how badass our sub fleet is !!!!! Also u should watch the movie “ The Hunt for Red October “!!!!!

[@derrty2614]

Love your reaction to this. As a member of the Navy who was deployed twice. Let me just say, ship life can be rough, but it also has its days were it's not so bad. The video doesn't mention the hours worked by the crew. I was part of the catapult crew and we sometimes worked 16 hour days. When I become and Ordinanceman I was lucky enough to only work 12 hour days. Also, you don't have to worry about your Navy being so small, we got your guys back.

[@russellrichter3473]

A Gerlard R Ford displaces approximately 100k US TONS. Yet it is capable of 40 knots or 48 miles per hour. In kph 77 or so. Keep in mind that this high cruising speed. Flank speed is run away and this massive ship is capable of exceeding the legal speed limit on every country except the autobahn in Germany

[@operator0]

I have heard from reliable sources that a nuclear aircraft carrier can go 55mph if they really push it.

[@MrFlatage]

@@operator0 Fake news ...

[@kevinhaywood1268]

I had the honor of serving aboard the carrier USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 from Jan 97 to Aug 2000. When the guy talked about how fast a carrier can get to the Middle East i can vouch for that. In Feb. 1998 we left for the ships first deployment and a around the world cruise. Unfortunately we had to go striaght to the Persian Gulf instead of a normal cruise. We left Norfolk, Va Feb. 26 and was on station in the Gulf 12 days later, where we stayed for 4 1/2 months. We averaged a speed of over 29 knots during those 12 days, although i can say we did a hell of alot faster then that. Going thru the Suez Canal slowed us down of course. That deployment sucked (we missed out on alot of good port visits in the Med) but im proud to say i was apart of it.

[@andressandoval2904]

With no where to go for most of them on a carrier they really put their lives on the line if they go to war. That takes a lot of courage.

[@lesliemurphy7808]

When I deployed with my squadron on our designated Carrier, I wore a white shirt with a checkerboard pattern. This meant that I escorted my jets to the catapult and communicated to the Yellow shirt that I had done my final check for flight readiness and assisted in the launch. It was a huge LOUD RUSH! It was the biggest thrill I'll ever experience. I spent a total of a year and a half at sea on various Carriers and it was ONLY men at the time. Food was available at any time with a buffet of anything you could imagine. Some times we didn't get mail for 4 days at the least, but I got my Christmas Cookies from my family to share with my mates. One of my best friends was Australian. Great Dude that ended up making an incredible career out of it. He was the US Navy's east coast's most senior Masterchief in the whole Navy before he retired. I Miss "Aussie"! Love you! :)

[@williambrown1343]

Great video, I first saw this on Artur Rehi's channel.. Carriers are amazing!

[@michealdrake3421]

Hey! Another fan of our favorite Estonian KZbinr/conscript/ex-conscript/soldier/ex-soldier!

[@josephrussell5175]

I served on 2 carriers back to back sea duty tours in the US Navy... I enjoyed seeing an open interest and Intrigue on an international level. Thank you for sharing your reaction with world, our biggest strength is as a deterrent but capable of so much more. Love your channel

[@roshanmhapsekar3911]

"It's not the size of the dog, it's the size of fight in it." doesn't matter how big or small an army is its how good and brave they're at their business.

[@NavyCopMA1]

Hey Courtney... USS Abraham Lincoln (carrier), USS Camden (supply ship), and USS Rodney Davis (guided missile frigate) veteran. So much more to it than a single short video can show. Full fire department, jail and police force (my job), jet engine repair shops, 2 main galleys 1 of which is always open, library, multiple gyms, hospital with usually 2 surgery suites, dental offices, etc. Spent 3 years on my carrier and still have shops and spaces that I never set foot inside.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

My brother's father was a elevator operator on the uss enterprise cv-65

[@CourtneyCoulston]

that's amazing! I have huge respect for him living and working on one of these ships!

[@Dannyedelman4231]

@@CourtneyCoulston yeah unfortunately the ship was sent to the scrap yard because of it being over 50 years old and being a nuclear powered carrier my uncle was also on another carrier named the USS MIDWAY which is parked in San Diego California

[@jameskoralewski1006]

I used to work in the Navy at a rate classified as TD (Training Device Man). We operated and repaired all training devices for the Navy. Most of their simulators are aircraft simulators but the Navy also has submarine and aircraft carrier simulators. Most of their ship simulators are near or in Virginia. My rate (TD) had no sea duty because you can't put simulators on a ship, only on solid ground. Some guys in this rate wanted to have some sea duty so they created a job on a ship just for us. We ran and maintained the closed-circuit TV cameras that filmed all the take-off and landings on the aircraft carrier. We got to view all the crashes, fires, and sometimes deaths during aircraft carrier operations.

[@jeremywilliams1835]

React to "how big is the us navy 7th fleet"

[@CourtneyCoulston]

i'll check it out. thanks Jeremy!

[@abramrexjoaquin7513]

@@CourtneyCoulston after watching this. Watch NCIS. Gives you a much appreciation.

[@eddiegreencheez]

How big.....it's 6 times bigger than the 1st....

[@danielfronc4304]

It's size depends on what, if any, mission is called for. They assign different ships and subs as are needed. It's not as though there's a set number of each type ship permanently part of the 17th fleet.

[@michaelvincent4280]

The ship I was on is the Supply-type, and my helicopter group flew the more sensitive stuff over to all the ships. Every operation is like being in a movie, especially at night, with very little light. You can't see the carrier, but you can hear it nearby, and it blocks out the stars. Whenever we boarded a ship like this, we first salute the Flag at the rear (fantail) then the Officer of the Deck, then we stomp on the deck with out boots, cause we still don't quite understand how the thing FLOATS!

[@thedevszn8977]

I'm going to the U.S Navy. Also just keep in mind that New Zealand is also and U.S allie

[@nealkirkland1313]

Supply ship also re-supplies other ships in the strike group. There is a warship being supplied on each side in any given supply process. You can briefly see this when scene switches from shooting lines from carrier to seeing the aviation fuel connector being “reeled in” to carrier

[@vern74]

Wish it would have shown the kitchen.Imagine feeding 6000 people 3 times a day.I have seen videos about this.

[@CourtneyCoulston]

truuuuue! I will try find a video on that too. thats super interesting!

[@papawjohn9588]

@@CourtneyCoulston Look for a visit to a carrier by Sam the Cooking Guy. He has a TV program by that name in California, I believe. He flew to the ship in a COD, and spent one night aboard. He showed how the bakery works, how they cook the food, and showed one each of the freezers, fridges and unchilled food storage rooms. Also, he has enough of a sense of humor to make it interesting.

[@jdanon203]

They actually have 4 meals a day. The normal breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but then also something for the overnight hours for those working third shift.

[@davidcruz8667]

We don't have a kitchen, we have a galley. On a carrier there will be several, at least two for enlisted personnel, the Chief's mess, and the Officer's mess. They're actually surprisingly compact considering the amount of food we process every day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midrats, it's an endless cycle, during chow time people line up on both sides of the ship, get their food, go eat, and get out. Those that have to man the flightdeck or can't make it to chow can request box meals also. Simple. There are, however, a lot of fat bodies in the Navy. Good food usually, but not always. Try the MidRats sliders!

[@davidcruz8667]

@@jdanon203 They're called MidRats. Love that chow.

[@jackfowler6249]

Retired Navy guy here. My first ship was an aircraft carrier. Basically, it's a floating city with an airport. I eventually served on a lot of smaller ships that didn't have air support, and after retiring from the Navy I joined the Military Sealift Command, the Navy's cargo and fuel operations manned by Merchant Mariners. So, if there are any questions about shipboard life, I'm your guy. It should be mentioned that we also often carried mail for other ships. Not every (or even most) ships have their own airport (unless you count a small flat spot on the deck where things can be raised and lowered by helicopter) and must depend on other ships to handle their mail, often transferring it to a ship that does have air service (an aircraft carrier) so mail may pass from ship to ship until it gets to an actual postal facility.

[@californiadigger4170]

here is something to think about there is someone responsible for every nut and bolt on the ship.

[@NotaVampyre111]

I was in VA-94 from 1975 to '79. My first deployment was on the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 77. It was a great way to see the world and do something meaningful in life. That deployment lasted 8 months. Since it was a peace time cruise, half the air wing was dropped off in the Philippines for 4 months while the other half stayed aboard the ship for training. At the end of 4 months they traded places. When ever you read about carriers, they almost always say the top speed is around 35MPH. This goes all the way back to WW2. If they were that fast back then, how fast do you think they are now? Carriers are fast but there is a good reason for this. When they're launching or recovering aircraft, they want as much wind across the deck as possible, During flight ops, it's like being in a pretty good wind storm.

[@averagejoe845]

Aircraft carriers are enormous, when you see them in port they don't look real ...

[@decam5329]

They look like something that has come from space. Unreal size.

[@MrFlatage]

@@decam5329 Our Pioneering Spirit is laughing. It could pick one of these small carriers up easily. ;-)

[@WJS774]

@@MrFlatage The internet says otherwise, Pioneering Spirit has a lift capacity of 48,000 tonnes, USS Ronald Reagan has a displacement of more than _twice_ that at 103,000 tonnes.

[@MrFlatage]

@@WJS774 I asked Bigfoot and he said you were wrong. Cos the internet tells us Bigfoot is real? lmao! Even Captain Bigfoot would not use a single topside lifting crane but ... all of them? Heck why not just dive under the carrier? Forgot it was a semi submersible too? You need to talk to Bigfoot. He sails the 7 seas. How he keeps hidden. ;-)

[@WJS774]

@@MrFlatage The 48,000 tonne capacity _is_ in semi-submersible mode already, genius. You can spout lies about it all day long but the ship's published specs are available to everyone.

[@coriolass]

I served aboard three carriers, one thing they didn't mention and couldn't adequately convey if they had is how easy it can be to get lost aboard a carrier. It takes weeks usually to learn to find ones way around and even then much of the ship is off limits for most of the personnel. I served aboard U.S.S. Kitty Hawk for over two years before she went into the yards for refit. As they performed maintenance and system swaps I discovered that there were spaces(rooms) that I had passed by every day that were decks tall and many thousands of square feet in area. It still blows my mind when I think of it.

[@lucidclanyt1525]

Funny part is US Navy has 2nd biggest air force in the world bc the US Air Force has the biggest air force in the world !😂

[@robertmeder7410]

I am a former US Marine. I was stationed and a Plank owner on the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70. That was when Marines served on carriers. I remember the first time that I saw the Vinson it was in dry dock and it was mind boggling. It took 2 months to learn my way around the ship without getting lost. I enjoy this video and your reaction.

[@rdramos13]

Whoo hoo...we've missed you and your reactions today. Also, had to say something different other than... first

[@CourtneyCoulston]

yayy thanks so much for tuning in ❤️

[@VegetaLF7]

Served on the USS Kitty Hawk 2006-08 myself, last conventionally powered carrier in the US Navy until we retired her in 2009. I was in the Supply Department, basically the guys you saw receiving the packages and cargo during the resupply portion of the video.

[@TattleDelta]

You sure know how to stroke our ego, and we Americans love our egos stroked xD

[@CourtneyCoulston]

haha ❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@MrMeraby]

"My brother is in the New Zealand Navy. . ." Well, with NZs support for NATO operations in Afganistan, their continued training of Afgan security forces, and their work with US military against pirates in the Horn of Africa (and other areas of cooperation), your brother makes a contribution to the freedom of all Americans as well as your country. Please pass on my appreciation for his sacrifice. And, as a family member, thank you for yours as well (many people have no understanding of the familial sacrifices made).

[@JesusGarcia-fy6kg]

First one hi

[@CourtneyCoulston]

Hi!!! 😊😊

[@bradsavory9880]

My first duty station was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). My jaw dropped like yours. Funny, my first day the intercom called 1MC announced "Enterprise departing." I panicked and asked where we were going and they laughed and said that meant that the captain departed the ship. The next week we did gonto sea and was out nine months. Incidentally, upon arrival, we actually ran aground in the San Francisco bay. Ninety eight thousand tons, and stuck in the mud for nine hours. I was actually in charge of the vertical replenishment team that was shown.

[@env_keronc9081]

She cool

[@CourtneyCoulston]

thank you, you too!! 😊

[@gurutattoo75]

I was stationed on 2 amphibious assault ships, one of which was like a mini-carrier (roughly 2500 people aboard), and we dealt with harrier jets and a bunch of helicopters. We also sunk the ass end of our ship to take on cargo and take in/kick out Marines on Landing Craft Units and what is essentially a hovering boat.

[@joeyshofner639]

The 7 dislikes must be Antifa people.

[@iamangee]

If you’re ever in California the USS Midway is worth a visit. The retired air craft carrier is now a museum where you get to see a lot of the ship and planes. Also in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library you can tour the Air Force One plane that was in service from Kennedy through W. Bush, including the command center for the nuclear football.

[@SatishKumar-rc4pl]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@DJKav]

One of the main reasons that the 2 new Royal Navy aircraft carriers are non nuclear powered. Is due to the fact that some commonwealth countries, are anti-nuclear. So, they can sail to port in those countries. The UK have now moved to a dual island aircraft carrier design. The UK invented the modern aircraft carrier, and assisted the US, on how to best operate them. In the beginning (no disrespect aimed at any of our US allies).

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

Tony Gilchrist states the contribution of British designers in his excellent book 'Feet Wet'. It's definitely worth reading.

[@russelljohnson2860]

I enjoyed your reaction to our Navy Aircraft Carrier. Life at sea is full of long hour days. I as am Engineer on board served 16 hrs days 8 hours regular working hours and 2 4hour watch standing hours you will be amazed how the body gets used to it. Then on top of that I played with the ships band. Yes, beautiful the talent of sailors serving aboard ships is mind blowing. Many will put Professional Entertainers, Musicians, Dancers to shame. There is never a boring moment serving aboard ship. It's hard to compare how a sailor feel about his or her command and the pride they have in their ship. All will say fighting words if you disrespect their ship their crew or Department.

[@scottsauritch3216]

we have more than that when you consider the 8-10(i forget how many exactly) Wasp and America-Class LHD's which are smaller versions meant for helocoptors but with the F-35B which can take off and land vertically, we now have about 20 carriers although the LHD's only carry about 6-8 F-35B's plus 20+/- Helo's and other verticle lift aircraft while the larger carrier can carry 80+ super-honets and F35-C's(normal take-off and landing version of f35.)...

[@timengineman2nd714]

Just watched your video. I served on the USS Saratoga (CV-60) from 1980-1982. Like all ships, as an E-5 (equal to a Sargent) (lowest enlisted rank is an E-1 highest aboard a ship is a Master Chief (E-9)) I could lie on my rack (bunk bed) with my elbow on the mattress pad, and never on all of the ships I've served on could fully extend my fingers! Of course, on smaller ships this allowed you to wedge yourself into your rack in rough seas. As for seeing daylight, I've actually have (on more than one occasion) have a Chief Petty Officer (E-7) take the trash out as an excuse to go topside and see the sun (day) or the stars (at night)! And once again, if I remember correctly, a Nimitz class carrier (which is smaller than the new Ford class carrier) has enough aircraft that if it was rated as it's own country, that it would rank (in 2000 or. so) as about the 10th largest air force in the world, By Itself!!! (When she has all of her Air Group aboard!)

[@j.fraley6862]

I wish I had been able to go on board a Carrier, but I was in the Army and we got transported by the Air Force, and Private/charter or Public plains. What impressed me though is in fact the military mail system. It didn't matter if I was in Iraq, getting ready to leave abruptly to Somalia. We still got our mail, and we loved care packages from home. Some Military moms were so good to us, that even though they sent their son something, all of us got something from them as well. Military mom's and wives are the best thing ever to a soldier in the field.

[@joepennant]

Back in the early 2000, I drove down to the docks of Mayport Naval Station in the middle of the night. I think the Kennedy was tied up there to redo the deck after deployment, and frankly the boat was too big to really see anything. I parked at about dead center and I could not see the top or ends of the ship. At 20 stories high (it seemed) I could not see the deck or even top of the island and not the bow or stern. Massive is an understatement. I will never forget that overwhelming size.

[@Cherry-vz1ux]

I love your reaction and just how genuine your reaction is and just how you enjoy the video without having to pause and insert your opinion every sec like most reactions. I love you!!

[@Scioneer]

In addition to the big Supercarriers, we also have a type of ship known as LHDs and LHAs, which are like mini-Carriers that are primarily for Helicopters and VSTOL aircraft. They also have well decks for amphibious craft.

[@alexispryde5415]

hey hey lol its always fun to see peoples reactions to our declassified service inventory - im a ex army medic btw - i have been stationed with every branch excluding the new branch . thats just whats declassified and less then half what the navy alone is capable of not to mention the air force and army branches then theres .... well thats really as far as any one person is able to say here without getting a phone call or email . this was fun to watch . look at it this way - with all the power had were not interested in world domination thats a good thing in my book .

[@richunggoy3960]

I sail on one of the suppy ships. We usually transport about 1000 pallets to the carrier via helicopter and a few 100 via cables going across the ships

[@peterturel6290]

I was stationed on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in the 80s. I can say that this video is true! I was an engineer, with "A-Gang" or everything outside the nuclear propulsion plant. I did 2 deployments, with the second one in 1986, we were the first nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier to transit the Suez Canal. An aircraft carrier is the ultimate in power projection.

[@retirednavy8720]

I spent 25 years in the USN and am a plankowner of the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72. That was the only carrier I served on but I also served on the USS Mississippi CGN 40, USS Cushing DD-985, USS Pyro AE-24, USS Willamette AO-180 and the USS Nashville LPD-13. The USN was a good career for me and I really miss the days at sea headed to a foreign port.

[@timh7833]

4 yr carrier veteran, 77 to 81, USS INDEPENDENCE CV62. We had over 5300 on board, 6 to 7 month cruises, visited 14 countries, best time of my life.

[@raywhitehead730]

Retired US Navy Aviator. Missing in your information film, is the incredible ability of the carrier to process information . Truly impressive it is. Radar, sonar, satellites, drones, share d secured information from other ships, aircraft and land based resources are all used to create a total battlefield picture of the wor!d. Continually.

[@BaronNate]

I worked with the Australian Army and the New Zealanders as well. I love you guys. So nice, funny, and adventurous. I made some great friends with them. I learned the word "MACKERS" that you guys use for the restaurant Mcdonalds. And UTE (spelling?) when referring to a truck or utility vehicle. LOL. You guys rock Courtney

[@CourtneyCoulston]

hahah yes Maccas 😂 and yes ute is correct! Thanks Nate! I'm glad you had a good experience with the military guys and gals down under!

[@bringerofpane2072]

I was a "brown shirt" (Plane Captain) and miss it regularly....worked with E-2C Hawkeye (related to the C-2A Greyhound)

[@DeusEx1977]

I addition to the Super Carriers the US also has amphibious assault ships (America Class) and "helicopter carriers" (Wasp Class) that can carry their own complement of select fighters/attack air craft - like the famous Harrier jump jets and the new F35B Lightning. Each of these ships is roughly 245 meters long and weighs in at roughly 45000 tons. Making them a match for many of the smaller Air Craft Carriers out there. I think currently there are 9 of those on duty, with 9 more planned.

[@josephheitzmann7745]

My father spent 25 years in the United States Navy and with the exception of boot camp it was all on US aircraft carriers..he loved his service his country and his time on carrier’s

[@kurtlaroche-artist]

Fellow kiwi here, I went to America last year, and couldn't believe the amount of military gear just in LA and on the way out to Vegas, saw military plans and helicopters flying which I had only seen on TV, as well as hundreds of tanks lined up in the desert or on the back of trains.

[@ericsahagun3607]

Courtney thank you so much for sharing your videos of aircraft carriers they are actually sailing cities is truly awesome amazing and unbelievably potent thank you again Courtney

[@heirtothethrone000]

It's a floating city and we stop at different ports from 3-7 days during med cruises. I've been to Spain,France,Burmuda,Italy, Jamaica and St. Thomas and a few other places. It has a gym,barbershop ,small store and can even has a place to rent movies using your ID. The food is a lot better than one thinks and we even have steak and lobster tail on Sundays.

[@charlessparks8303]

Courtney, thanks for this video. I was a green shirt for VF-33 F14 Tomcat squadron onboard CV-66 USS America 1986-1989. Great times onboard.

[@roccojohnson4600]

You don't go days or weeks without seeing sunlight. I spent some time on a carrier.The flight deck isn't always in use and every once in a while theyll have you do pt up there. There's also open areas on the sides of the hanger where you can go to smoke or just get some air.

[@dirtcop11]

You need to watch a video of the "shakedown cruise" of an aircraft carrier. They do violent maneuvers to make sure they will hold up in combat conditions. The decks lean a lot in those turns. Some people do get a bit queasy during those drills.

[@davidgoza5620]

I had a friend who retired from the Navy. He said he had been on every type ship the Navy had. While on aircraft carriers, he said every day you meet someone new. In effect, they are floating cities.

[@zimvader25]

Everyone up top is very important and has to be in complete sync or lives can easily be lost. And to answer your curiosity about the short runway, the catapult officer is in charge of launching the aircrafts using built up pressure, that’s why you see the steam in front of the jets coming from the runway, and they launch from 0-160kph in around 2 seconds to create the lift. As for the landing, tail hooks and arresting lines are the only way you’re stopping on a short runway. And they’ll stop you in the same 2 seconds going the same 160kph lol

[@jasonmalone6983]

Worthy of note: Russia’s only aircraft carrier had to be towed to port a while ago and is currently on fire. It is rumored that it would be more expensive to repair than replace. A lot of the problems are blamed on low quality Russian steel in the boilers.

[@colinsmith1495]

I work at the shipyard that builds all these carriers. They are truly an amazing feat of engineering and technology. It takes us 7-9 years to build one of these, using the latest technologies feasible. They're even bigger walking around inside. "City at sea" isn't just a saying. They have movie theaters, bowling allies, and 3-4 entire hospitals, including dentists, and full surgical theaters. Another thing to realize is that the US super carriers aren't just a military tool, but a legitimate diplomatic tool as well. There's a rather famous instance where a French engineer at a conference ridiculed then-President G.W. Bush for sending an aircraft carrier to respond to a tsunami. There was a comment along the lines of 'What are they going to do, bomb the tsunami?' An American engineer responded: "Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?" The US sends carriers to disaster areas to provide humanitarian relief, to feed the hungry, provide clean water, give medical attention to the sick. It is an honor to work at a company that builds such machines, for a nation that uses such machines for such purposes. And that feeling isn't just me. I happen to know it's common among our employees, especially the incredible craftsmen that actually put these beasts together. The idea that they're becoming obsolete is unlikely. There are technologies being proposed that could land a cannon round anywhere in the world, but just like you can't keep peace in a city with artillery (you need boots on the ground), you also can't keep peace in a region with such weapons. Aircraft in the air, and the ability to do so with a few minutes notice, can.

[@chernobyl68]

carriers are rarely deployed as long as a year as a matter of routine, but the rules go out the window during wartime. The formation you see the ships in for the picture is just that, for a picture. at sea on duty they are miles apart. 6000 people is a little high in my experience; it may get that high when deployed as part of a battle group, but that's because the battle group staff are based on the carrier. deployments are usually only once every 2-3 years. in between while at see the ships company plus air wing is about 5500-5800. I served on the USS Nimitz in the early 90s.

[@sailordave1000]

My dad was a yellow shirt on a carrier in Vietnam. I worked in the engine room of the USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 in Desert Storm.

[@alanhembra2565]

I was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) from1989 to 1993. We had about 5700 crew. Lots of fun: