Life Aboard the USS Harry S. Truman Aircraft Carrier
The USS Harry S. Truman, named after the 33rd president of the United States, was christened on Sept. 7, 1996. Its maiden delpoyment began in November 2000. Here's a look at life onboard the ninth nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the United States Navy.
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HST, as its known in the Navy, has played a crucial role against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. Here, Navy sailors attach ammunition to a F/A-18 fighter jet before a mission.
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Navy F/A-18 pilot Commander Higgins from the VFA-83 Squadron also known as the "Rampagers" gets ready before a mission in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, June 15, 2016.
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The Harry S. Truman is 1,092 feet long and 257 feet wide. It's as tall as a 24-story building.
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The carrier can accommodate about 90 aircraft. Its flight deck covers 4.5 acres.
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The carrier can accommodate up to 6,250 crewmembers.
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More than 6,000 crewmembers = a lot of laundry...
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...and lots of mail to be sorted.
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The accomodations are, well, less than luxurious, though the carrier does have its perks...
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...like this shop on board...
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...and a barber shop.
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And even in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, sailors can get their Starbucks.
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Here, a sailor lines up for food.
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Sailors have plenty of options for working out, too.
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Muscle? HST uses two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors for propulsion. Its four propellers weigh more than 30 tons each. It can travel more than 3 million miles before needing to refuel.
A sailor has his picture taken in a studio.
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Pilots with the VAW-117 "Wallbangers" Airborne Command squadron wait in their room.
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A pilot sits in the squadron room.
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There's also a bit of leeway for more lighthearted fun.
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