AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

The aircraft carrier continues to be one of our nation’s most visible symbols of military might. Each of the carrier air wings at NAS Oceana supports Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, which are the largest warships in the world. Each flight deck is 4.5 acres of sovereign U.S. territory.

Each aircraft carrier is the size of a small city. The ship has a crew of nearly 3,000 men and women, which grows to nearly 5,000 when deployed with a carrier air wing. When aircraft operate from their flight deck, the aircraft carrier’s crew and air wing personnel function as a single team, providing our nation with a potent, flexible and mobile force.

East Coast carriers are based at Naval Station Norfolk, just 35 miles from NAS Oceana.