Aboard an Aircraft Carrier

On 05 September, I was honoured and privileged to be invited to a reception on board the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. 

This warship is powered by two nuclear reactors and has the ability to launch and recover aircraft rapidly. 

USS John C. Stennis is the flagship of Strike Group 3 which consists of four to six other warships.

I pass these two warships before reaching the aircraft carrier.
Both warships 108 and 105 are called Destroyers. 

Passing another warship on the other side of the pier. 
This warship 53 is called a Cruiser.

Hello, sailor!

The cargo deck of the aircraft carrier converted into a function hall.

The cargo deck of the aircraft carrier converted into a function hall.

Guests crossing the bridge into the aircraft carrier.

Fighter jets on the flight deck.

The aircraft carrier hull number is CVN-74.

Military helicopter used for rescue operations.

This military helicopter is used to trace submarines.

Supt Ivan Jeremiah is pictured here with a sailor and the missiles.

This military helicopter is used to trace submarines.
Supt Ivan Jeremiah with 2 marines and the machine gun sticking out of the copter.

Ms Ocampo, the event photographer

I'm supposed to be intimidated by these two camera-wielding marines.

A huge cake to celebrate the occasion.

His Excellency Paul Jones, US Ambassador to Malaysia

The Commanding Officer of USS John C. Stennis, Capt. Ronald Reis.

The Commander of Strike Group 3, Rear Admiral Craig Faller

Panglima Angkatan Bersama, Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia,
Laksamana Madya Datuk Ahmad Kamarulzaman bin Ahmad Badaruddin.

Fighter set is brought down from flight deck by this giant elevator.

Climbing these narrow steps to the upper decks - flight deck and the bridge.

Going through narrow passageways and numerous hatch doors.

Finally, we reach the flight deck.

Finally, we reach the flight deck.

Fighter jets looking serene in the night.

View from the flight deck of solitary fighter jet sitting on the aircrat elevator.

Rows of fighter jets

Cables reduce the speed of the fighter jets when they touch down.

This jet has a radar on its top and giant propellers on its wings.
It's called an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C) aircraft. 

The Commander's seat in the control room called the bridge.

The seal of the USS John C. Stennis.

The circular shape signifies the ability of the aircraft carrier to circle the world without refuelling.

The late Senator John C. Stennis was known as a 'soaring eagle'.

Goodbye, sailor

Goodbye, sailor