Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta is briefed on the functions of the combat direction center during a visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
Summary
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 21, 2012) Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Leon E. Panetta is briefed on the functions of the combat direction center during a visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael L. Croft Jr.) File# 120121-N-NC372-350
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.