Your Guide To the 5 Aircraft Carrier Museums In The USA

There are five aircraft carrier museums in the USA on both the West and East coast, and all have seen combat.

Read update

Will there ever be another us aircraft carrier museum, quick links, uss yorktown cv-10, the uss hornet cv-12, uss intrepid cv-11, uss lexington cv-16, uss midway cv-41.

The United States is home to an impressive five World War Two-era aircraft carrier museums. There are five US Aircraft Carrier Museums, and they date from the same period - from WW2. Back then the aircraft carriers were smaller and were commercially powered. After the war, American aircraft carriers remained conveniently powered but grew larger and became supercarriers.

Four of these aircraft carriers are Essex-class aircraft carriers (the United States built 24 of these carriers during the war). The fifth one is a Midway-class carrier built towards the end of the war. They are scattered across the nation in New York, South Carolina, Texas, and California (California has two). They are some of the most interesting American naval museums to visit .

UPDATE: 2023/04/30 15:32 EST BY AARON SPRAY

The United States has five aircraft carriers for people to visit and learn about the role of the Navy in protecting the United States. People can explore the largest warships of their era and learn how they helped win the Pacific War and the role they took in the years following. This article was updated and expanded with more information about the prospects of there ever being a sixth aircraft carrier museum.

USS Yorktown CV-10

The USS Yorktown is an Essex Class aircraft carrier built in World War Two. Named after the Battle of Yorktown in the American War of Independence and took the name in honor of the previous aircraft carrier USS Yorktown CV-5. USS Yorktown CV-5 had fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the Battle of Midway, where she met her end.

  • Commissioned: April 1943
  • Campaigns: Pacific War, Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Decommissioned: 1970
  • Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943) 30,000+ tons (1956)

She was decommissioned soon after the war but reactivated and served in the Korean War. Eventually, she became an anti-submarine carrier and served during the Vietnam War (and earned another five battle stars).

Towards the end of her career, she served as the recovery ship for Apollo 8 space mission and was started in the film Tora! Tora! Tora! and the film The Philadelphia Experiment .

In 1975 she became a museum ship in South Carolina and is a National Historic Landmark.

  • Time for tour: People expect to spend 5 to 6 hours touring the USS Yorktown CV-10 at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in South Carolina. Some even spend a longer time to see the Vietnam War Experience and the submarine. The USS Yorktown alone has six guided tours at the museum.

Museum aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-12)

The USS Hornet is also an Essex class aircraft carrier that was built for World War Two. She was completed in 1943 and assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force. She saw action in 1944, attacking Japanese installations in New Guinea, Palau, and Truk, among others. Today one of the greatest attractions for divers today is seeing the sunk Japanese fleet at Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon.

Later she took part in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign as well as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," which was the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Like other ships, she took part in the Korean War (she had to be pulled out of reserve) and was modernized as an anti-submarine carrier. She played a minor role in the Vietnam War and also took part in the Apollo program.

  • Commissioned: 1943
  • Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943)

Today it is a museum in Alameda in California (open since 1998) and is also a National Historic Landmark. Admission is $20.00 for adults.

  • Opening times: The USS Hornet Museum opens its doors, from Friday to Monday, and offers many interesting tours, exhibits, community events, group and special tours, and more. It opens from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with the last entry set at 4:00 PM.
  • Price: While admission tickets are generally USD 20 per person, seniors, military, and students get the ticket for USD 15. Young people aged between 7 and 17 enter with a USD 10 ticket while children aged 6 and under can access the museum for free. The same applies to museum members.

Related: Japan's Truk Lagoon is Home To An Extraordinary Number Of Wartime Wrecks, Still Visible Today

Intrepid Museum In NYC

She is another of the four Essex class aircraft carriers to survive today (unfortunately, the massively iconic USS Enterprise was scraped right after the war). She was also commissioned in August 1943 and participated in the Pacific War against Japan - notably the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Like many of the Essex class carriers (there were so many of them after the war that one could have tripped over one) she was decommissioned. But later she was modernized and reactivated and went on to participate in the Vietnam War and was also involved in the space program.

Her back luck earned her the nicknames "Decrepit" and "the Dry I" - she was high by four separate Japanese kamikaze aircraft.

  • Campaigns: Pacific War, Vietnam War
  • Decommissioned: 1974

The USS Intrepid is today part of the famous NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

  • Museum hours: The NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum opens from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from June through September. From October through May, the museum opens its doors only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Things to do: The museum offers a handful of activities, including tours, simulators, education demonstrations, souvenir photos, space shuttle pavilion tour, and more.

Essex Class Carrier

The fourth surviving Essex class aircraft carrier, she also took part in the Pacific War. She was nicknamed "The Blue Ghost." She was named following the loss of the first American aircraft carrier - the USS Lexington CV-2, at the Battle of the Coral Sea. They are named in honor of the Battle of Lexington.

  • Campaigns: Pacific War
  • Decommissioned: 1991

Since 1992 she has been a museum and is docked in Corpus Christi in Texas.

  • Opening times: The USS Lexington Museum opens its doors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • Price: Admission costs USD 18.95 for adults. Seniors aged 60 and over get a discounted ticket for USD 16.95. Military members benefit from a special price of USD 14.95. Parking fees amount to USD 5.
  • Attractions: There are many attractions to enjoy at the USS Lexington Museum, including Escape Rooms, the Flight Deck, Joe Jessel 3D MEGA Theater, Pearl Harbor exhibit, Scale Models, flight simulator, and Virtual Battle Stations. People can enjoy either self-guided or guided tours of the museum.

Related: America's Most Interesting And Historic Naval Museum Ships, And How To Visit Them

USS Midway (CV-41), museum in San Diego

The USS Midway is the only museum aircraft carrier that is not an Essex Class carrier. She was the lead ship of her class and was commissioned just eight days after the end of World War Two.

She remained the largest ship in the world for a decade until 1955. During her time, she saw action in Vietnam and took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq but was decommissioned right after it in 1992.

  • Campaigns: Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm
  • Decommissioned: 1992
  • Displacement: 45,000+ tons (1945)

Today she is a museum ship in San Diego, California .

  • Price: Ticket prices at the USS Midway Museum are USD 26 for adults and USD 18 for youth and veterans.
  • Activities: There are many activities to enjoy at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, such as Hangar Deck exhibits, Flight Deck exhibits, Below Deck exhibits, TBD Devastator, Remembrance Wall, Midway stories, Midway Virtual Tour, and more.

Unfortunately, after the Navy's decision to scrap the USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy last year , there are not likely to be any new aircraft carrier museums for a very long time (they were also supercarriers and the last American conventionally powered aircraft carriers).

The Forrestal class was the first completed supercarriers, and they were followed by the Kitty Hawk class (an incremental improvement on the Forrestal class). These were also the last American carriers to be built conventionally powered (all subsequent carriers are nuclear powered).

USS John F. Kennedy at the Philadelphia navy yard

All the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk aircraft carriers have been decommissioned. For a long time, a couple of carriers - including the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Kitty Hawk were held in decommissioned mothball reserve. These were the last carriers that could feasibly be made into aircraft carrier museums.

The John F. Kennedy was held at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (a mothball fleet) and was available for donation as a museum. But eventually, in 2017 the navy revoked her donation hold status and the remaining Kitty Hawk carriers were sent for dismantling.

All other and future American carriers are nuclear-powered - that makes the effort and costs of converting them into museums much higher. It seems unlikely there will be another American aircraft carrier museum for a long time.

If visiting England, take the time to visit HMS Victory - Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar . Additionally, see the old museum ship (and still listed ship) of the United States - the iconic USS Constitution .

Next: How To Get The Most Out Of A Historical Visit To The Pearl Harbor Museum & Memorial

CNET logo

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Behold the USS Midway, the largest aircraft carrier in the world you can tour

More than three American football fields in length, the USS Midway was the largest ship in the world for a decade. Today, it's an amazing museum ship in San Diego. Here's the full tour.

headshots_Geoffrey_Morrison_140x100.jpg

The USS Midway is huge .

She was the first of a new generation of carriers, referred to as battle carriers. She measures nearly 1,000 feet long. For 10 years, from 1945 to 1955, she was the largest ship in the world, and one of the largest moving objects ever made by humans.

After 47 years of service, including tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm, she was finally decommissioned in 1992. Now she sits in quiet San Diego, a massive floating museum. She's the largest aircraft carrier in the world that you can tour, and the tour makes for an incredible experience

If you can't make it to San Diego to see it for yourself, here's how it looks in many words and photos.

\tThe USS Midway is the largest aircraft carrier you can tour in the world. Nearly 1,000 feet long and home for over 4,100 sailors at a time, the floating city is impressive inside and out.

\tFor the full story behind this tour, check out Behold the USS Midway .

You enter the Midway on the hangar deck, about halfway (midway, if you will) down the wall on the right in this image. At the end you can see an F4F Wildcat and SBD Dauntless .

Looking toward the bow from roughly the same spot, you can get a sense of how cavernous this space is. Now imagine it filled with between 65 and 100 aircraft.

Take a tour of the USS Midway (pictures)

 width=

Battle Carrier

Advancing from the earlier Essex class, the Midway was the first of her class. Larger in nearly every dimension, she was a marvel of engineering in her day, and is still an incredible sight. In countless ways, she seems far more modern than other aircraft carriers you can tour, like the Intrepid in New York City.

Stepping on board, the cavernous hangar deck seems impossibly large. It'd be a huge open space if it was inside a building. That it's the middle of a ship plays tricks with the brain.

An optional self-guided audio tour gives you info as you wander. And wander you will. There's no direct line through all the open parts of the ship. Just when you think you've seen everything, you'll notice another hatch, corridor, or stairway.

 width=

One of the things that makes the Midway such a great tour is how much of the ship is open for exploration. Far more than the Intrepid is available for perusal: multiple crew messes, kitchens, cabins, ready rooms and more. A few dozen planes and helicopters are on the various decks, though they don't get in the way of the main attraction.

Related Tours

  • A tour of the ballistic missile nuclear submarine Redoutable
  • Tour the battleship USS Missouri
  • A Tour of the Intrepid Museum
  • Battleships and battlefields: WWII Museums from around the world

The island is the one part of the ship that is guided, though I lucked out. It wasn't busy, so I got the guide, Tom, to myself. I asked many, many questions. He was a Junior Officer on a different carrier in the '60s, and gave me tons of great info.

On the flight deck, a former aviator explained the complexities of carrier landings and takeoffs to a rapt audience.

The only aspect even slightly lacking are the engine room (which you only see a small part of). One docent told me they hope to open even more areas of the ship soon.

I started my tour around 1 p.m., and I was rushing to finish by the time the ship closed at 5. I recommend planning even more time.

See it yourself, if you can

I've done tours of military vessels all over the world, and the Midway is one of my favorites (perhaps no. 2 after the amazing nuclear submarine Redoutable ). Her size, condition and openness are incredible, but also the amount of information that's available everywhere really puts it over the top. It's one of the best tours in the world, and highly recommended.

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of  cool museums and locations around the world , including  nuclear submarines ,  massive aircraft carriers ,  medieval castles , epic  10,000 mile road trips , and more. Check out  Tech Treks  for all his tours and adventures.

He wrote a  bestselling sci-fi novel  about city-size submarines, along with a  sequel . You can follow his adventures on  Instagram  and his  YouTube channel .

 width=

Computing Guides

  • Best Laptop
  • Best Chromebook
  • Best Budget Laptop
  • Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
  • Best 2-in-1 Laptop
  • Best Windows Laptop
  • Best Macbook
  • Best Gaming Laptop
  • Best Macbook Deals
  • Best Desktop PC
  • Best Gaming PC
  • Best Monitor Under 200
  • Best Desktop Deals
  • Best Monitors
  • M2 Mac Mini Review
  • Best PC Speakers
  • Best Printer
  • Best External Hard Drive SSD
  • Best USB C Hub Docking Station
  • Best Keyboard
  • Best Webcams
  • Best Laptop Backpack
  • Best Camera to Buy
  • Best Vlogging Camera
  • Best Tripod
  • Best Waterproof Camera
  • Best Action Camera
  • Best Camera Bag and Backpack
  • Best E-Ink Tablets
  • Best iPad Deals
  • Best E-Reader
  • Best Tablet
  • Best Android Tablet
  • Best 3D Printer
  • Best Budget 3D Printer
  • Best 3D Printing Filament
  • Best 3D Printer Deals

USS LEXINGTON

Spring Break Hours

Saturday, March 9 - Saturday, March 16 • 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

LOCKDOWN ON THE LEX, Ultimate Escape Rooms

hours & admission

9am – 5pm

Normal hours: labor day/sept. through memorial day/may, 9am – 6pm, summer: memorial day/may through labor day/sept., spring break: march 9 – 16, 2024.

Admissions

Adults (18 +) – $20.95 Seniors (60 +) – $17.95 Military – $15.95 Youth (13-17) – $17.95 Children (4-12) – $14.95 Parking – $5.00

directions and maps

Directions & Maps

Located on north beach in corpus christi, just steps from the texas state aquarium.

News

Now hear this! Get all the latest on LEX news, events and ceremonies.

Pearl harbor.

Relive every second in this ground-rumbling display of light and sound.

Lockdown on LEX

Escape Room on the LEX

  • Flight Simulator

Get a jolt to the nerves behind the controls of a war plane.

Over Night Camping

Overnight Camping

An adventure awaits your group when they live aboard the uss lexington..

Smart Phone Tours

Smart Phone Tours

Exhibits come to life with video & photos. it’s easy.

exhibits

Action & Exhibits

The action never stops, with endless features and exhibits.

icon flight deck

  • The Flight Deck

Experience our most popular attraction

theater

Mega Theater

Experience all the action in 3d, free with admission.

Adults (18 +) - $20.95 Seniors (60 +) - $17.95 Military - $15.95 Youth (13-17) - $17.95 Children (4-12) - $14.95 Parking - $5.00

Coupon | More Info

HOURS OF OPERATION

  • 2024 Stage Door Canteen Sponsors
  • Texas Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony for USS Lexington
  • USS Lexington Museum is Bringing Back Historic Admission Pricing February 16th – 19th

LEX Logo

© 2024 USS LEXINGTON. 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78402 | 1-800-LADY LEX | Privacy Policy

Trip Advisor Logo

  • LEX on Twitter
  • LEX on Facebook
  • LEX on YouTube
  • LEX on Instagram
  • Hours & Admission
  • Directions & Map
  • Mess Deck Café
  • Escape Rooms
  • Joe Jessel 3D MEGA Theater
  • Pearl Harbor Exhibit
  • Scale Models
  • Self Guided Tours
  • Guided Tours
  • Overnight Adventure
  • Former Crew
  • Special Event Rentals
  • Volunteering

Our hours are subject to change on a daily basis based on special events and exhibition closures. Please check our Visitor Information page .  Last entry is one hour prior to closing.

Mon-Sun: 10:00am-5:00pm

Apollo 11 and beyond VR experience with astronaut on the moon

Aircraft Carrier Intrepid

Commissioned in 1943, Aircraft Carrier Intrepid survived five Kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike during WWII. The aircraft carrier later served in the Cold War, Vietnam War and as a NASA recovery vessel. 

Two teenagers stand by a blue Avenger plane on the ship's hangar deck

  • Flight Deck
  • Gallery Deck
  • Hangar Deck

On the flight deck, Intrepid launched propeller planes during WWII, fighter jets in Vietnam and helicopters that recovered NASA astronauts. It now holds a vast collection of historic aircraft and our Space Shuttle Pavilion, which houses the space shuttle Enterprise.

Start at “vulture’s row” where the crew watched flight operations before taking in Intrepid 's amazing length while getting an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline. Then, lead the way on the navigation bridge and learn how crew members navigated the oceans in any weather as you explore chart tables, radar consoles, communications equipment, the captain’s quarters and more.

Intrepid’s island rises high above an aircraft parked on the ship's flight deck

Our legendary aircraft collection reflects some of the greatest achievements in military aviation with five branches of the U.S. armed forces represented: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as several distinctive aircraft from around the world. From the Avenger torpedo bomber, a stalwart from Intrepid ’s WWII service, to the Lockheed A-12, the formidable spy plane from the Cold War, and the very Skyray that flew off Intrepid, our collection is a must-see for all ages.

The process of restoring our aircraft can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or as complicated as manufacturing entire aircraft components from scratch. Our Aircraft Restoration Team, along with a dedicated crew of volunteers, invest thousands of hours taking care of our planes from daily maintenance and research to major overhauls and repairs. Their work ensures that these historic aircraft will be around to inspire visitors for years to come.

Aircraft restoration specialist working on an F-16 aircraft located at the Restoration Hangar at the Intrepid Flight Deck.

Enter the Pavilion through a soundscape featuring real audio from NASA’s mission control and emerge from the entryway to see the space shuttle Enterprise , NASA’s original orbiter that paved the way for the U.S. shuttle program. Walk underneath the orbiter or visit an elevated platform for a dramatic view and explore the intricate space shuttle design, as well as the talent behind the program. Then, see a space-flown Soyuz TMA-6 space capsule and experience space-themed VR and AR experiences.

Located between the flight deck and hangar deck, the gallery deck features the combat information center (CIC), squadron-ready room and marine berthing, where crew members prepared for their missions and manned the radars for signs of enemy approach.

Tour the ready room, where pilots received their final briefing before taking off on their missions, and then view the comfortable chairs where Intrepid aviators spent long hours waiting for their orders, as well as jet-age pilot gear.

Image of the squadron ready room set up as it looked during active service, with chairs, pilots' suits and helmets.

Experience the combat information center (CIC), where crew members tracked the location and movement of all nearby aircraft and ships, friend or foe. Complete with original radar scopes, plotting boards and communications equipment, CIC was state-of-the-art for its day, and now it's yours to relive.

Explore Intrepid 's technology and learn about the people who lived and worked aboard the aircraft carrier. Examine original artifacts, view historic video footage and explore interactive exhibits that trace Intrepid’s naval career from 1943 to today.

The Exploreum is a fully interactive exhibit space thoughtfully designed for families and kids of all ages. Climb into a Bell 47 helicopter, navigate through an interactive submarine, lay in a sailor’s bunk and more—all with unlimited photo ops.

Two children play inside an interactive model of the ship's navigation bridge

Intrepid 's historic fo'c'sle, the forward-most part of the ship, has been fully restored and is open to visitors. It is home to the anchor chain room, where you can get an up-close look at the massive chains that hold Intrepid's anchors. You can also take a peek into the dormitory-style accommodations for junior officers and two-person staterooms for higher-ranking officers.

The third deck features fully restored spaces that reveal daily life for the ship’s enlisted sailors. See the mess deck, including the kitchen, dining areas and various berthing areas, and imagine what it was like to eat and sleep on board.

The mess deck is where Intrepid 's enlisted crew members ate their meals. The mess, or dining area, has been restored to its original appearance after a massive remodeling in 1969. The vibrant decor—complete with custom paint colors, colorful textiles and Western-themed props—is unique to Intrepid.

Kitchen in the mess deck

Intrepid was home to 3,000 enlisted sailors, officers and Marines at a time. Visit restored berthing areas that show the tight sleeping quarters that the majority of the ship's crew endured.

Learning can always be fun—and the Intrepid Museum offers a wide range of digital resources to support educators, parents and students as they explore the history and the events that have shaped where we are today.

Intrepid Museum Educator with a group of kids in front of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

We offer a number of different programs and events that celebrate history, science, technology and engineering in fun and exciting ways.

Take a virtual Google Arts & Culture Tour to discover the fascinating collections and artifacts on display at the Museum from wherever you are.

Archival photo of the Growler

Browse records from all four categories of our collections: objects, media, archives and oral histories. Explore thematic and item-specific groupings or uncover personal artifacts like uniforms, souvenirs and images.

A young boy gazes out at the Entreprise in the Museum's Space Shuttle Pavillion.

Explore an array of unforgettable experiences.  

A family looks at the space shuttle Enterprise from an elevated viewing platform inside the Space Shuttle Pavilion

Enjoy exclusive benefits, including free admission. Learn more and join today.

  • GIVE & JOIN
  • Plan Your Adventure
  • Buy Tickets
  • Directions + Parking
  • Public Transportation
  • Self-Guided Audio Tours
  • Calendar of Events
  • Accessibility
  • Cafe & Gift Shop
  • Souvenir Photos
  • Traveler Info

GROUP VISIT

  • Docent Tours
  • Student & Youth Groups Admission

USS Midway

Exhibits & Activities

  • Our Exhibits
  • Hangar Deck Exhibits
  • Flight Deck Exhibits
  • Below Deck Exhibits
  • Aircraft Gallery
  • TBD Devastator
  • Midway Stories
  • Midway Virtual Tour
  • Battle of Midway Theater
  • Flight Simulators
  • Guided Island Tour
  • Junior Pilot Program
  • Catapult & Trap Talks
  • Overnight Adventure
  • Little Skippers

SPECIAL DAYS

  • Destination: Midway
  • Legacy Week
  • 4th of July Celebration
  • Veterans Day Celebration
  • Top Gun Maverick

USS Midway Exhibits and Activities

SCHOOL & YOUTH

  • School & Youth Overview
  • Distance Learning School Programs
  • Distance Learning Resources
  • School Programs

YOUTH PROGRAMS

  • Youth Programs Overview
  • BSA Programs
  • GSUSA Programs
  • Leadership Academy

SNOOZE CREWZ

  • Youth Group Overnight
  • Family & Individual Overnight

MIDWAY INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

  • Midway Institute for Teachers
  • Teacher Professional Development
  • Lesson Plans
  • Resources For Education

EDUCATION RESOURCES

  • USS Midway Research Library
  • Battle of Midway Bookstore
  • Connect2Compete

USS Midway Education

Give & Join

  • Membership Overview
  • Become a Member
  • Renew Membership
  • Gift Membership
  • Events for Members
  • Membership FAQs
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Join the Crew
  • Volunteer FAQs
  • Job Opportunities

MIDWAY AMERICAN PATRIOT AWARD GALA

  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Buy Gala Tickets

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

  • Partnership Opportunities
  • Our Valued Partners

USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

  • Freedom Park Navy Pier
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Artifact Donations

MIDWAY FOUNDATION

  • Grant Application

USS Midway Give & Join

  • Plan Your Event
  • Venue Spaces
  • Event Photos
  • Enhancements
  • Exclusive Caterers
  • Event Inquiry Form

MILITARY EVENTS

  • Event Request Form
  • Military Events FAQs

USS Midway Events

  • Donation Requests
  • Social Media
  • Speakers Bureau
  • Midway Veteran Resources & Services
  • Our Culture
  • Job Application Form
  • Midway History
  • Board of Directors
  • Karl’s Korner

MEDIA & PRESS

  • Media & Press Overview
  • Press Releases
  • Media Resources
  • Media Request Form

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Citizenship Program
  • Flag Service
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

USS Midway Contact

  • Exhibits & Activities

Due to the critical repair work that is being conducted on the ship’s mast and island superstructure, the docent-led tours of the island will be closed until June of 2024. Please be sure to enjoy our temporary “Island Presentation” on the flight deck to learn about all the functions of the island superstructure and command center.

Enjoy a special tour onboard, led by one of Midway’s world-class volunteer Docents!

An aircraft carrier’s  island  is the command center for flight deck operations, as well as the ship as a whole. The island  is located on the flight deck and rises above all the aircraft aboard ship.

Midway’s guided Island Tour takes you up serpentine ladders through the navigation and flight control sections of the ship.

Expert Midway Docents will lead you through to explain Air Operations, Pri-fly, Navigational chart room, Captain’s Bridge, and Captain’s at sea cabin.

The Island Tour is given daily on the flight deck and is included with the price of admission. Space is limited. -->

Visitor Tip

Due to tight spaces, this tour has limited capacity. It is recommended to take this tour as early as possible during your visit. Lines for this tour close as early as 3:30 pm on busy days.

Special Days

  • Terms & Conditions

Here's why it's an aircraft carrier tradition to catapult a pair of boots

  • The US Navy is full of time-honored traditions.
  • A personal one for naval aviators is known as a "boot shoot."
  • Catapult officers, known as shooters, launch their boots off a flight deck in a final sendoff.

Insider Today

The US Navy has many unique traditions, such as painting sailors' noses blue when operating in the Arctic Circle or putting "pollywog" sailors through a series of disgusting initiation rites while crossing the equator.

Among the peculiar practices is launching a pair of boots off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in a special ceremony known as a "boot shoot."

What is a boot shoot?

tour an aircraft carrier

A "boot shoot" commemorates the end of a tour or change of command for a catapult officer aboard an aircraft carrier.

Launching their own pair of boots off the deck of the carrier symbolizes the sailor's final departure from the ship.

Signal for takeoff

tour an aircraft carrier

Catapult and arresting gear officers give the final signal to a pilot before takeoff — colloquially named "shooters" after their distinctive, crouched pose before a fighter jet catapults off the flight deck .

Beyond conducting an aircraft launch through a series of hand gestures and poses, shooters have a number of other responsibilities to ensure a safe takeoff.

"The catapult officer is responsible to ensure the catapult is prepared and ready to launch aircraft, the aircraft is properly configured to launch, all personnel are in their proper position, and any observers are behind the foul lines," Lt. Cmdr. Robert Neff, a shooter aboard George Washington, told DoD News.

"We inspect the entire catapult system, the jet-blast deflector, and input our calculations for wind to determine how much steam is needed to launch aircraft," Neff added.

'The conductor of the flight deck'

tour an aircraft carrier

Shooters are best known for giving "the signal to get the jet in the sky."

"The Shooter is the conductor of the flight deck — but their batons glow in the dark, their symphonies are afterburners, and their instruments are million-dollar fighter jets," according to the Navy.

Yellow shirts

tour an aircraft carrier

Flight deck crew are identified by the colors of their shirts. Shooters wear yellow turtlenecks, signaling to others that they are leaders on the flight deck.

Yellow shirts are also worn by enlisted aviation boatswain's mates , the air boss, and the mini-boss.

"Air department is the biggest department on the ship, with nearly 750 sailors," Neff said. "When we're not out there on the flight deck shooting aircraft, we're running our divisions and leading our sailors."

Highly trained personnel

tour an aircraft carrier

Naval aviators undergo months of training in order to become a shooter.

"For us, it's all about being around flight operations and continuing to do so," Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Kreutz, George Washington's lead catapult officer, said told DoD News. "All of us come from different backgrounds as naval aviators, and being a shooter is a completely different job than we're used to, so it's nice to see a different side of the aviation world and control flight operations."

Final sendoff

tour an aircraft carrier

Now-Cmdr. Kacee Jossis described her own "boot shoot" in 2014. Jossis, then a lieutenant, served as a V2 Division Officer aboard the USS George Washington when it was forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

"For my last shot on the flight deck, I was able to shoot my boots to signify my completed tour as a shooter," Jossis told DoD News. "It was a nice way to send me off and onto my next command."

A bittersweet farewell

tour an aircraft carrier

"If you're going to come to a carrier as a pilot and not fly, shooting is the best job you can have," Jossis said. "I really enjoyed working with everyone in Air department. It's bittersweet to leave, but I'm ready to fly again."

tour an aircraft carrier

  • Main content

We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us!

Internet Archive Audio

tour an aircraft carrier

  • This Just In
  • Grateful Dead
  • Old Time Radio
  • 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
  • Audio Books & Poetry
  • Computers, Technology and Science
  • Music, Arts & Culture
  • News & Public Affairs
  • Spirituality & Religion
  • Radio News Archive

tour an aircraft carrier

  • Flickr Commons
  • Occupy Wall Street Flickr
  • NASA Images
  • Solar System Collection
  • Ames Research Center

tour an aircraft carrier

  • All Software
  • Old School Emulation
  • MS-DOS Games
  • Historical Software
  • Classic PC Games
  • Software Library
  • Kodi Archive and Support File
  • Vintage Software
  • CD-ROM Software
  • CD-ROM Software Library
  • Software Sites
  • Tucows Software Library
  • Shareware CD-ROMs
  • Software Capsules Compilation
  • CD-ROM Images
  • ZX Spectrum
  • DOOM Level CD

tour an aircraft carrier

  • Smithsonian Libraries
  • FEDLINK (US)
  • Lincoln Collection
  • American Libraries
  • Canadian Libraries
  • Universal Library
  • Project Gutenberg
  • Children's Library
  • Biodiversity Heritage Library
  • Books by Language
  • Additional Collections

tour an aircraft carrier

  • Prelinger Archives
  • Democracy Now!
  • Occupy Wall Street
  • TV NSA Clip Library
  • Animation & Cartoons
  • Arts & Music
  • Computers & Technology
  • Cultural & Academic Films
  • Ephemeral Films
  • Sports Videos
  • Videogame Videos
  • Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

  • Wayback Machine (iOS)
  • Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

  • Explore the Collections
  • Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

  • Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

Carrier : a guided tour of an aircraft carrier

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

  • Graphic Violence
  • Explicit Sexual Content
  • Hate Speech
  • Misinformation/Disinformation
  • Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
  • Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

Inherent obscured text on leaf 3 due to sticker attached.

[WorldCat (this item)]

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

4 Favorites

Better World Books

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

No suitable files to display here.

IN COLLECTIONS

Uploaded by station22.cebu on February 20, 2021

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

Watch CBS News

After AT&T customers hit by widespread outage, carrier says service has been restored

By Brian Dakss, Aimee Picchi

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: February 22, 2024 / 8:17 PM EST / CBS News

Customers of numerous U.S. cell service providers reported outages and other service problems early Thursday morning, according to the website  Downdetector.com , which tracks such reports. AT&T had the most by far, with tens of thousands of customers telling Downdetector they had no service.

Customers of T-Mobile, Verizon, UScellular and Consumer Cellular were also reporting issues, though far fewer. T-Mobile and Verizon told CBS News that their networks were operational, although some customers may be encountering problems when trying to reach people on another network.

The reports of AT&T outages appear to have started at around 4 a.m. EST, Downdetector said, then seemed to wane some two hours later, then picked up again and were about 60,000 at 11 a.m. EST.

But by 3:10 p.m. EST on Thursday AT&T  said  the problem had been resolved.

"We have restored wireless service to all our affected customers," AT&T said on its website. "We sincerely apologize to them. Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future."

Later Thursday night, the company attributed the outage to a software bug.

"Based on our initial review, we believe that today's outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack," the company  said on its website . "We are continuing our assessment of today's outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve."

United states cluster map showing concentration of user-submitted problem reports over the last 24 hours to Downdetector.com.

Officials: Don't call 911 to test your phone

Earlier in the day, some officials urged people not to call 911 to test whether their phone was working. 

"Many 911 centers in the state are getting flooded w/ calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cellphone. Please do not do this," the Massachusetts State Police wrote on X, the former Twitter.

Likewise, Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications had a similar message for local residents, noting that on X that people who actually need to get through to 911 should use a landline or find a friend or relative who uses a service other than AT&T and ask them to make the call.

Some municipalities experienced difficulties with 911 service.

The San Francisco Fire Department said in a post on X, "We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911). We are actively engaged and monitoring this. The San Francisco 911 center is still operational."

In North Carolina, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said on X at 3:15 a.m. EST that it was "aware of a nationwide outage impacting AT&T cellphone customers this morning. Customers were briefly unable to contact 9-1-1. There are no disruptions to our call center's ability to receive 9-1-1 calls. Service should be returning shortly."

And in Florida, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office posted on X at 6:43 a.m. EST that, "Texts to 911 from affected AT&T users are now being received. If you have an emergency, and cannot dial out, send a text message to 911."

The transit system serving Philadelphia and its suburbs, SEPTA, said on X that, "Due to AT&T communication outages, some trains may reflect a delay, however all trains are operating on or close to schedule."

AT&T outage

As of 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, Downdetector had more than 60,000 reports of service issues from AT&T customers. Most of the complaints were focused on problems with their mobile phones or wireless service. 

Outages were highest in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Miami and San Antonio, according to Downdetector.

In a statement to CBS News, Verizon said its network was operating normally, although some customers experienced issues earlier Thursday when calling or texting people who use another carrier. It said that it was continuing to monitor the situation. 

A spokesperson for T-Mobile said it didn't experience an outage and that its network was operating normally.

"Downdetector is likely reflecting challenges our customers were having attempting to connect to users on other networks," the spokesperson said.

UScellular also told CBS News that its network was operating normally. 

"We are, however, aware of a disruption that could be impacting UScellular customers attempting to roam on or call customers of another carrier," it said in a statement.

How to turn on Wi-Fi calling

Even if you have no cellular service, you should be able to make phone calls using wireless internet access, which is what AT&T is recommending for its customers. 

To turn on Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone, go to "settings," then "phone" and next click on "Wi-Fi" calling. Apple says you may need to confirm or enter your address for emergency services. 

You'll see "Wi-Fi" in the status bar while you are looking at the control center, which means your phone will use the wireless internet service in your home or office to make calls. 

To turn on Wi-Fi calling on Android phones, Google says to open your phone app, then tap "more settings." Then tap "calls," and from there tap "Wi-Fi calling." If that's not an option on your phone, it means your carrier doesn't provide the option,  according  to Google.

What does SOS mean on my phone?

Some customers reported seeing an "SOS" message on their iPhones. 

This can happen when a cellular service isn't widely available, but your phone is letting you know that it will still work for emergency calls,  according  to Apple.

More from CBS News

Russian drone attack kills 7 in Odesa, Ukraine says

Apple fined almost $2 billion by EU over positioning of music streaming service

Body of missing Florida teen Madeline Soto found, sheriff says

Trader Joe's chicken soup dumplings that might contain plastic recalled

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ will be on Disney+ a day early

(Gray News) – Taylor Swift’s massively successful Eras Tour concert film will begin streaming on Disney+ starting March 14, a day earlier than previously thought.

Disney+ made the announcement last month that it will stream “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” starting March 15.

However, in a new trailer Monday , it was clarified that the movie will begin streaming March 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

The extended version of the film will include Swift’s performance of “Cardigan,” which had been cut from the rental version, and four additional acoustic songs.

Disney did not say which acoustic songs would be featured, but based on when the film was shot during Swift’s concerts in Los Angeles, it’s likely those songs are “Maroon,” “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” “You Are in Love” and “I Can See You.”

It’s also unconfirmed how much Disney paid for the streaming rights to the movie, but according to a report from Puck News , the deal was worth $75 million. The report said that Disney outbid Netflix and Universal for the streaming rights.

According to Variety , the movie pulled in $261.7 million at the global box office after its Oct. 13 debut, making it the highest-grossing concert film of all time.

Following its successful run in theaters, the movie has been available to rent for $19.89 (Swift’s birth year) on Amazon and other rental services.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Academy was shut down after a crash Saturday night.

Deadly crash under investigation after police say speeding car rolled, caught on fire

The scene near Pikes Peak International Raceway.

I-25 back open near PPIR following crash, vehicle fire

North Middle School reported burglary 3/3/2024

1 arrested inside Colorado Springs middle school after reported break-in

Police blocking the interstate at exit 96 on March 4, 2024.

Southbound I-25 back open in Pueblo following 2 crashes in same spot

Pueblo Police Department vehicle

1 dead in shooting near downtown Pueblo

Latest news.

Dairy Queen is bringing back its fan favorite cherry-dipped cone for a limited time.

Dairy Queen bringing back cherry-dipped cones

A viral video showed Drake holding a note from the concertgoer on stage. The note said the...

Drake promises fan he’ll pay late mother’s $160k mortgage

Colorado Springs Monday forecast: Breezy with sunshine

Showers Possible Tuesday?

Russell Wilson

Broncos announce they will release Russell Wilson

A group of men in masks opened fire at an outdoor party in central California, killing four...

Masked shooters kill 4 people, injure 7 at outdoor party in California, police say

IMAGES

  1. Tour An Aircraft Carrier

    tour an aircraft carrier

  2. USS Yorktown (CV-10) Aircraft Carrier Tour, Charleston, SC, 4K 60fps

    tour an aircraft carrier

  3. Tour An Aircraft Carrier

    tour an aircraft carrier

  4. Tour An Aircraft Carrier

    tour an aircraft carrier

  5. USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, San Diego, CA

    tour an aircraft carrier

  6. Pin on Trinkets

    tour an aircraft carrier

VIDEO

  1. Aircraft carrier tour

  2. Derek- aircraft carrier landing- take I

  3. This is the US Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier So Powerful

  4. aircraft carrier

  5. US Navy aircraft carrier arrives Oslo Norway: Russian Navy Cornered in the Baltic Sea

  6. Aircraft carrier !

COMMENTS

  1. Your Guide To the 5 Aircraft Carrier Museums In The USA

    The USS Yorktown is an Essex Class aircraft carrier built in World War Two. Named after the Battle of Yorktown in the American War of Independence and took the name in honor of the previous aircraft carrier USS Yorktown CV-5. USS Yorktown CV-5 had fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the Battle of Midway, where she met her end.

  2. Tour Requests

    PLEASE REVIEW ALL INFORMATION BELOW PRIOR TO SUBMITTING TOUR REQUESTs. CARRIER TOURS ARE FULLY BOOKED THROUGH FEBRUARY 2024. WE ONLY COORDINATE TOURS ON THE U.S. EAST COAST.. Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs Office schedules tours of aircraft carriers and squadrons to qualifying groups based on group category, size, and carrier/squadron availability.

  3. Inside The World's Largest Aircraft Carrier

    As the world's largest aircraft carrier in the world's dominant navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford is gargantuan. The aircraft carrier took eight years to build, s...

  4. All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

    Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway (Museum) was America's longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight ...

  5. City At Sea: Life Inside World's Largest US Navy Aircraft Carrier

    Embark on a journey to the heart of a floating city at sea with this full documentary about life inside the world's largest US Navy aircraft carrier. Experie...

  6. USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

    If you go to San Diego the USS Midway a must see attraction! Make sure you give yourself enough time to tour and listen to the amazing volunteers tell their stories. It was a great day-wish we had more time! fayes64 Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. FREE- Get your official USS Midway cell phone wall paper!

  7. 360 Virtual Tour

    Explore the USS Midway Museum from home! Enjoy a unique and exclusive virtual opportunity to explore America's favorite aircraft carrier museum's most popular spaces and exhibits. Listen to the award-winning audio tour, view a naval aircraft gallery and read amazing historical accounts of the USS Midway. Scroll down to start your adventure !

  8. 5 Aircraft Carrier Museums In The United States: Where ...

    The most popular of the tours at the aircraft carrier is the self-guided tour of the flight deck. Along with the navigation bridge, arresting gear and anti-aircraft guns, visitors can also view 20 aircraft from the National Museum of Naval Aviation including the F/A-18 Hornet and F2H-2 Banshee.

  9. Plan Your Adventure

    Suggested Attire: The USS Midway Museum is an authentic U.S. naval aircraft carrier built of steel with narrow passageways, heavy doors, low ceilings, elevated bases, steep stairways and uneven surfaces. Exploring Midway involves walking through such areas. For your safety, we recommend watching your step and wearing comfortable, closed-toes shoes.

  10. Behold the USS Midway, the largest aircraft carrier in the world you

    3 min read. Geoffrey Morrison. The USS Midway is huge. She was the first of a new generation of carriers, referred to as battle carriers. She measures nearly 1,000 feet long. For 10 years, from ...

  11. USS Nimitz

    After this . . . Check out the extra, extended footage clip. https://youtu.be/du02f5Vf9cA?si=BBXuth18dNwqQ0WSA few years back, I got the great opportunity to...

  12. Tour & Explore Aircraft

    Admission to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum includes access to three historic ships, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Laffey, 28 historic aircraft, as well as the three-acre Vietnam Experience, and more. Discover it all here! General admission includes ALL exhibits: USS YORKTOWN Aircraft Carrier. USS LAFFEY Destroyer.

  13. Intrepid Museum

    Experience the world's first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world's fastest commercial airliner displayed in and around the legendary aircraft carrier, Intrepid—an awe-inspiring place for an unforgettable adventure.

  14. USS Lexington Museum

    The USS LEXINGTON, CV-16, is a World War II-vintage Essex Class aircraft carrier that's been turned into a museum, delighting visitors of all ages. The USS LEXINGTON, CV-16, is a World War II-vintage Essex Class aircraft carrier that's been turned into a museum, delighting visitors of all ages. ... Smart Phone Tours Exhibits come to life with ...

  15. We toured the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier

    Advertisement. The USS Gerald R. Ford is the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier — in fact, it's the world's largest. Commissioned in July 2017, it is the first of the Ford-class ...

  16. Tickets

    USS Yorktown. The USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the U.S. Navy and was commissioned in 1943. Nicknamed the "Fighting Lady," the YORKTOWN served the nation for almost three decades, earning the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for her service in World War II and an additional five battle stars during the Vietnam War.

  17. The USS Hornet: A Virtual Tour of the Aircraft Carrier That Brought

    Docked at a quiet, out-of-the-way pier near what was once Alameda's bustling Naval Air Station, the USS Hornet sits as a monument to the Navy, but also to the U.S. space program that ...

  18. Aircraft Carrier Intrepid

    Launched in 1943, the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid fought in World War II, surviving five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo strike. Visit the museum today. ... Tour the ready room, where pilots received their final briefing before taking off on their missions, ...

  19. Life Inside Massive USS Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier At Sea

    Discover life aboard USS Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carriers in this eye-opening full documentary! Explore the daily lives of 5,000 US Navy sailors as they naviga...

  20. Guided Island Tour

    Enjoy a special tour onboard, led by one of Midway's world-class volunteer Docents! An aircraft carrier's island is the command center for flight deck operations, as well as the ship as a whole.The island is located on the flight deck and rises above all the aircraft aboard ship.. Midway's guided Island Tour takes you up serpentine ladders through the navigation and flight control ...

  21. Public Tours

    USS Midway Museum, which is a decommissioned U.S. Navy aircraft carrier located in downtown San Diego. The museum features 60 exhibits, 29 restored aircraft, a self-guided audio tour, and two flight simulators. Exhibits range from the crew's sleeping quarters to a massive galley, engine room, the ship's jail, officer's country, post office ...

  22. Here's why it's an aircraft carrier tradition to catapult a pair of boots

    A "boot shoot" commemorates the end of a tour or change of command for a catapult officer aboard an aircraft carrier. Launching their own pair of boots off the deck of the carrier symbolizes the ...

  23. Carrier : a guided tour of an aircraft carrier

    Carrier : a guided tour of an aircraft carrier by Clancy, Tom, 1947-2013. Publication date 1999 Topics United States. Navy -- Aviation, George Washington (Aircraft carrier), Aircraft carriers -- United States, Naval battle groups -- United States Publisher New York : Berkley Books Collection

  24. After AT&T customers hit by widespread outage, carrier says service has

    Nationwide cell service outage impacts AT&T customers 02:55. Customers of numerous U.S. cell service providers reported outages and other service problems early Thursday morning, according to the ...

  25. USS Yorktown (CV-10) Aircraft Carrier Tour, Charleston, SC ...

    Here we take an in depth tour of the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10), the oldest surviving Aircraft Carrier, veteran of most of WWII all the way throug...

  26. 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' will be on Disney+ a day early

    Taylor Swift's massively successful Eras Tour concert film will begin streaming on Disney+ starting March 14, a day earlier than previously thought.