An F/A-18 Hornet prepares to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
Summary
Atlantic Ocean (Apr. 17, 2006) An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Wildcats of Strike Fighter Squadron One Three One (VFA-131), prepares to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Benjamin D. Olvey File# 060417-N-4004O-003
Aircraft carriers are warships that act as airbases for carrier-based aircraft. In the United States Navy, these consist of ships commissioned with hull classification symbols CV (aircraft carrier), CVA (attack aircraft carrier), CVB (large aircraft carrier), CVL (light aircraft carrier), CVN (aircraft carrier (nuclear propulsion) and CVAN (attack aircraft carrier (nuclear propulsion). The first aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy was USS Langley (CV-1) on 20 March 1922.