The Crazy Life Inside World’s Largest $13 Billion Aircraft Carrier in Middle of the Ocean
Fluctus・10 minutes read
The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest US military aircraft carrier, was commissioned in July 2017 at a cost of nearly $13 billion, featuring daily routines of meal preparation, fitness programs, and battle readiness drills for its crew members while at sea. Despite some challenges with its rudder system at slower speeds, the carrier emphasizes physical fitness, camaraderie, and constant readiness for missions through various training activities and operations on board.
Insights
- The USS Gerald R Ford, a $13 billion aircraft carrier, requires intricate navigation due to its traditional rudder system struggling at slower speeds, emphasizing the importance of careful maneuvering once it clears the docks and underwater obstacles.
- Onboard the Gerald R Ford, crew members engage in rigorous training exercises like general quarters drills and the 77-day warrior challenge to maintain physical fitness, camaraderie, and readiness for missions, showcasing the dedication and preparedness of the personnel aboard the carrier.
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Recent questions
How long did it take to construct the USS Gerald R Ford?
Four years
How many meals does the culinary team on the USS Gerald R Ford prepare daily?
Approximately 12,000 meals
What is the purpose of the 77-day warrior challenge on aircraft carriers?
Encourage physical fitness and camaraderie
How do aircraft carriers stay at sea for extended periods?
Utilize underway replenishment systems
What activities take place on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier?
Launching planes, fueling, catabar operations, weapons prep
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Summary
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USS Gerald R Ford: Modern Aircraft Carrier
- In July 2017, the USS Gerald R Ford, the largest US military aircraft carrier, was commissioned at a cost of nearly $13 billion and took four years to construct by Newport News Shipbuilding.
- Life aboard the 1100-foot long Gerald R Ford is similar to other modern aircraft carriers, starting with removing thick mooring lines before navigating out of shallow waters with tugboat assistance.
- Despite being able to reach speeds of over 35 miles per hour, the Gerald R Ford's traditional rudder system struggles at slower speeds, requiring careful navigation once clear of docks and underwater obstacles.
- The ship's culinary team, consisting of around 98 members, prepares approximately 12,000 meals daily, with major holiday events like Thanksgiving requiring extensive preparation and serving.
- Fitness programs like the 77-day warrior challenge are set up to encourage crew members to stay physically fit, fostering camaraderie and readiness for missions.
- Crew members on aircraft carriers assume battle stations during general quarters drills, engaging in various training actions, weapon training, firefighting drills, and maintenance tasks to ensure constant readiness.
- Aircraft carriers utilize underway replenishment systems to stay at sea for extended periods, with the flight deck being a hub of activity where planes are launched using catapult systems and crew members in colored vests handle various tasks like fueling, catabar operations, and weapons prep.
