Dwight Eisenhower (CVN 69) - Naval Cruise Book

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r, td i • : ■ ' ' ' iHi V i . : »: V : :- . ' ? ' : Photos, clockwise from top: A mechanic completes a main- tenance check on an engine: A mess specialist prepares fr)r the next big meal: An electrician replaces afrise: A sailor stud- ies in the ship ' s library. £ fii3«MJl ' A community at sea

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Tomcat The F-14A-P1US Tomcat is the Navy ' s newest fighter. A two-seat, twin-engine all weather aircraft, it is capable of flying at speeds near Mach II. The Tomcat features variable sweep wings and can carry Sparrow, Sidewinder and the long range Phoenix missiles. Its mission is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, and maintain air superiority in the outer perimeter of the carrier battle group. The fighter squadrons VF-142 Ghostriders and VF- 143 World Famous Pukin Dogs, both based at Naval Air Station Oceana. Va., fly the Tomcat from IKE. Intruder The A-6E Intruder is a two-seat, low-level medium attack bomber which can deliver weapons with pinpoint accuracy deep into hostile territory, in all weather condi- tions, day or night. The Intruder can cany up to five 2,000-pound bombs, or 28 500-pound bombs. The KA- 6D model of the Intruder is the tanker version used for in- flight refueling. The attack squadron VA-34 Blue Blas- ters, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., flies the A- 6E and KA-6D versions of the Intruder from IKE. Sea King The SH-3H Sea King is a gas turbine-powered helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and ship-to-ship cargo and personnel transfer. Capable of staying airborne for more than five hours, the Sea King uses sonobouys, dipping sonar, magnetic anomaly de- tection and multi-channel relay equipment to locate enemy submarines. The helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-5 Night Dippers, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., flies the Sea King from IKE. Hawkeye The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft designed to provide battle group units with early detec- tion and warning of approaching enemy forces. Using its distinctive disk radar and communications equipment, the H awkeye provides strike and traffic control, area sur- veillance, search and rescue guidance, navigational as- sistance and communications relay. The carrier early warning squadron VAW-121 Blue Tails, based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., flies the Hawkeye from IKE.

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IKE is one of the largest warships in the world, displac- ing 95,000 tons. More than 5,000 men — hailing from all 50 states with an average age of 20 — form the team that has steamed throughout the Atlan- tic and Indian oceans, and Mediterranean and Red seas, while demonstrating U.S. mili- tary resolve in crisis and sup- port in peace. In many respects, IKE is a floating city. The ship has its own nuclear power plant, wa- ter distillation plant, airport, industrial complex, housing, electronic and print media and restaurants. Each day, more than 20,000 meals are served and 400,000 gallons of fresh water produced . Two television stations and four radio stations broadcast 24 hours-per-day to inform and entertain a crew that works around the clock. Like any city, there are me- chanics and technicians to repair machinery, jet engines, electronic gear; damage con- trol personnel prepared to fight fire or any other type of ship- board damage; chaplains to conduct religious services; disbursing clerks to pay the crew; and doctors to tend to ill- nesses and injuries. The below-decks support is the backbone of the ship, al- lowing for sustained operations in any part of the world.