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On board the USS Eisenhower

Al Jazeera’s Cal Perry embarked on the USS Eisenhower as the US led the largest-ever naval exercise in the Gulf.

On board the USS Eisenhower
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, commissioned in 1977, patrols the Gulf and supports ground forces in Afghanistan by running what the US military calls “close air support missions”.

By Cal Perry

Published On 23 Sep 2012

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Responding to Iranian threats to mine the Strait of Hormuz if attacked, the US along with 29 other nations has held the largest-ever naval exercise in the Gulf.

Al Jazeera’s Cal Perry embarked with the US Navy’s fifth fleet on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower.

While the aircraft carrier is mainly used for operations over Afghanistan, it also supported the mine clearing exercise.

On board the USS Eisenhower
One of the 61 combat aircraft on board being prepared for launch.
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On board the USS Eisenhower
An F-14 Hornet is eased into the “Catapult” system by US Navy “green shirts”.
On board the USS Eisenhower
A US military “Naval aviator” salutes the deck crew before being launched.
On board the USS Eisenhover
The US Navy can launch two combat aircraft in less than a minute. The aircraft will refuel in mid-air: allowing it to stay on station above a target for up to 8 hours before the plane is recalled.
On board the USS Eisenhower
“Recovery”, or landing, is said to be the hardest thing a pilot can do. One pilot remarked, “when it’s dark and the Carrier is pitching back and forth, you feel like you’re crashing onto a postage stamp”.
On board the USS Eisenhower
Two “naval aviators” return from a mission staged in the Gulf.
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On board the USS Eisenhower
Members of the “Ordnance team” secure a sidewinder missile.
On board the USS Eisenhower
Crew members avoiding steam that rises off the deck, in 35-degrees Celsius heat.
On board the USS Eisenhower
The crew generally stays "on mission" in and around the Gulf for a period of nine months at a time before returning to Port in Norfolk, Virginia.