Photos Aircraft Carriers

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Arleigh-burke class guided missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), and Colombian navy corvette ARC Nariño (CM 55) transit in formation during a photo exercise while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2024. George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation.



Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits during a photo exercise with ships from the Colombian navy while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2024. George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2024. thr Air Carrier USS George Washington CVN-73 is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

The Air Carrier USS George Washington Conducts Flight Operations in the Colombian Pacific Waters.​

Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2024. the USS George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

George Washington Participates in Bilateral Exercises with South American Partners​

Carrier Strike Group 10 and ships from the Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian navies transit in formation during a photo exercise while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 26, 2024. George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

Five Royal Navy Hawker Sea Hurricanes and a single Supermarine Seafire lined up in the hangar of HMS Argus (I49), with several mechanics working on them. The base of the lift is in the foreground. Note the space needed for aircraft with non-folding wings. A fifth Hurricane or possibly a Fulmar is in the very back of the hangar. 1942-44

The Carrier Strike Group's aero-tactical component is preparing to participate in the PitchBlack24 exercise in Australia.
F-35B and AV-8B aircraft.

Principe de Asturias

A nice image of the French aircraft carrier Béarn at anchor.

Béarn was originally to have been the fifth and final member of the Normandie class superdreadnoughts. Powerful ships armed with twelve 13.4" guns, the Normandie class were laid down in 1913/1914. Unfortunately, the start of World War I led to the suspension of work as the workers were mobilized for war and the construction materials were diverted to the Army.

The hulls sat idle in various stages of construction until after the war. Though the thought was given to completing them, they were ultimately canceled in 1922. Béarn by virtue of being behind her sisters in construction, was chosen to be converted into an aircraft carrier as she would require the least amount of modification.

Much of the material from the first four sisters was used to hasten the reconstruction of Béarn. When completed in 1927, she was the first aircraft carrier to be built by France. It was intended that Béarn be a starting point for future designs, helping France learn the intricacies of carrier development and operations.

In this regard, she was successful though her capabilities as a fleet carrier were minimal compared to her contemporaries. Still, she ended up being the only French carrier to be built until after World War II.

USS Gerald R. Ford

¡ADIOS DÉDALO!

Spain's first aircraft carrier Dédalo, the ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28) hands over the naval aviation torch to Principe de Asturias. AV-8 Matadors (Harriers) are on the decks of both carriers, circa 1988. Dédalo was decommissioned in August 1989 and sent back to the US where she was scrapped despite efforts to save her as a museum.

Fifty years ago, today. The U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) squeezes under the Golden Gate Bridge, Thursday, June 20, 1974. (Photo by Peter Breining/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)