MIKE LYNAUGHPHOTOGRAPHY
F/A-18 carrier landing photographed by Mike Lynaugh

A photojournalist's view from the flight deck

Carrier Operations

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) · USS George Washington (CVN-73) · USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

Three ships. Three carrier classes. One continuing story.

Nearly three decades of aircraft, sailors and life at sea, photographed aboard three generations of active U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

01 · Carrier Operations

Flight Operations

Launches, recoveries, high-speed passes and helicopter operations across nearly three decades.

Explore Flight Operations
F/A-18 recovery aboard an aircraft carrierF/A-18 high-speed passU.S. Navy helicopter in flightCarrier flight operationsNaval aircraft recoveryHH-60 helicopter lands on the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

02 · Carrier Operations

Life on the Flight Deck

The sailors, specialized crews and coordinated work that make carrier aviation possible.

Explore the Flight Deck
Flight deck crew memberFlight deck personnel at workSailors aboard an aircraft carrierCarrier deck crewFlight deck operationsF-14 Tomcat landing on the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-65)

03 · Carrier Operations

The Carriers

USS Enterprise, USS George Washington and USS Gerald R. Ford as working ships and immense environments.

Explore the Carriers
U.S. Navy aircraft carrierAircraft carrier islandAircraft carrier at seaCarrier flight deck and islandAircraft carrier detailAircraft carrier structure

04 · Carrier Operations

Life at Sea

Weather, horizons, wakes, light and the quieter moments surrounding operations at sea.

Explore Life at Sea
Aircraft carrier island at sunsetCarrier island silhouetted at sunsetSailors and American flag at sunsetAmerican flag aboard an aircraft carrierOcean wake behind an aircraft carrierOpen ocean viewed from an aircraft carrier