Construction of the ship began in 1975 near Norfolk, Virginia. In 1980, the new carrier was launched. At the age of 96, Carl Vinson attended the ceremonies. This was the first time in history a Navy ship bore the name of a living person. The ship was officially commissioned in 1982 and has been in service defending our country ever since.

An aircraft carrier is often called a floating city, and the USS Carl Vinson is no exception. It has more people than many Georgia towns and many conveniences small US cities don't have. There is an international airport on board, a hospital, a pharmacy, a police department, a jail, and a fire department. There are six restaurants, two stores, and a barber shop. There is even a TV studio with nightly news and they have their own radio station and movie station- with round the clock movies.

The total population assigned to the carrier is around 5,100 men and women. The average age of a sailor aboard the ship is 26 years old. One out of every eight crew members is female. Of these crew members 3,400 are assigned to operating the ship, while 1,700 are pilots and support personnel for the carrier's air command or wing divisions. The Navy pilots and their support crew are commonly referred to as the air wing section of the carrier. Assigned currently to the carrier are 70 fighter and attack (bombing) aircraft, as well as helicopters.

The people on board go to school or work just like being in any other city. It takes many different jobs and skills to run this large of a ship. Many are professionals such as doctors,psychologists, dentists, ministers, translators, teachers, nurses and engineers. Others are skilled in computers and as technicians, and machine operators, while others are cooks, plumbers, barbers, clerks, secretaries, journalists, and office managers.

Some of the military on board have very specialized jobs. They include: nuclear engineers, navigators, pilots, gunner's mates, intelligence specialists, linguists, and aviation and electronics technicians.

For the crew members to exercise there are four gymnasiums and many other sports facilities aboard. There is also a library and many floors of classrooms and offices. When the people on board are off duty, they can use their free time as they wish. Many work out in the gym, go jogging, play basketball and some even play music. Also every sailor and officer aboard has access to the Internet and e-mail.

As large as an aircraft carrier is, you might think there is space for everyone. But the aircraft or airplanes on board occupy much of the space.

Sleeping quarters are usually assigned according to rank. High ranking officers may have a private room or share a room with another officer. Lower level officers share a room with five other officers. Enlisted men and women may face more crowded conditions. From 30 to 100 enlisted sailors live in a large room with rows of bunk beds sometimes three bunks high. The women and men's quarters are separate and there is a regulation that no dating is allowed on the ship.

Usually the USS Carl Vinson ships out of its harbor in the state of Washington on the Pacific Ocean. Its permanent home is Bremerton, located near Seattle. When there is no war or military alert, the carrier's normal tour of duty is 18 months. It ships out and is at sea for six months until it arrives at its first port. The ship travels westward through the Pacific into the Indian Ocean, and up into the Arabian Sea, before returning home.

This year it was leaving the Arabian Sea in September when terror struck New York. It was then given orders to stay in the Arabian Sea and prepare for an attack on Afghanistan.

During peace time the ship makes stops at ports in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Many of these stops are what the sailors look forward to as they go ashore for rest, relaxation and sight seeing.

This tour of duty there will be no sight-seeing. The men and women aboard the USS Carl Vinson have been called to war and will continue to do their jobs to keep our nation safe and our freedom strong.

Many thanks to Lt. Matt O'Neal, the Public Affairs officer of the USS Carl Vinson, for his help in providing information and photographs for this issue.