To ensure that you continue to receive these e-mails, please add ezine@gophercentral.com to your e-mail address book.


Wednesday, July 6, 2016

They are the centerpiece of America's naval force, capable of projecting military power across the globe. The aircraft carrier is one of the most complicated, expensive and dangerous pieces of military equipment in the modern world.

Email the Editor




Today's Random Fact:

The air wing of one Nimitz-class carrier is more powerful than the entire air force of more than half the world's nations. A Nimitz carrier can carry up to 90 combat aircraft.


During World War II two aircraft carriers were stationed on the Great Lakes as training ships. Originally built as commercial paddle steamers, both ships were purchased by the navy in 1942 and converted into carriers. They trained over 17,800 pilots. One of them was future president George H. W. Bush.




Bonus Fact:

USS Theodore Roosevelt was the first aircraft carrier to be assembled using modular construction. Having the modules pre-built and welded together saved an amazing 16 months on the construction.


During World War II there were five pairs of U.S. carriers with the same name. All five ships had been sunk, and rebuilt to carry the same name. The Langley, The Lexington, The Yorktown, The Wasp, and The Hornet.


America's aircraft carriers are the largest in the world. The Nimitz class carriers have an overall length of 1,092 feet. The newest super carriers, the Gerald R. Ford class, have the same length, but carry about a 3,000 ton greater displacement than the Nimitz class.