USS Nimitz CVN-68

I joined Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-14, the “Tophatters” as they prepared for deployment to the Gulf in 2009 aboard the legendary supercarrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). It doesn’t get any better than filming catapult launches up close as Super Hornets throttle up and accelerate from zero to 170 mph in two-seconds and hanging out with the LSOs (Landing Signal Officers) as aircraft blast past you snagging the arresting cables. Known as the ‘Oldest & the Boldest’ the Tophatters are the Navy’s oldest active squadron having formed in 1919. Since its inception the squadron has flown 23 different types of aircraft, had its designation changed fourteen times, operated from 20 different aircraft carriers (and several battleships) and had 82 commanding officers. After long days on the flight deck, returning to the squadron’s ready room was like entering a clubhouse and easily one of the coolest rooms I’ve been in anywhere. It’s where pilots do all pre-flight and post-flight briefs, but it’s also the place a squadron calls their home on a carrier. After long hours in the cockpit the ready room is where you can be loud, tell jokes, share stories and just unwind.

Tech Specs

USS Nimitz

Class & Type: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: 100,020 long tons (112,020 short tons)
Length: 1,092 ft (332.8m)
Beam: 252 ft (76.8m)
Draft: 37ft (11.3m)
Propulsion: 2 x Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors
4 x steam turbines, 4 x shafts, 260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed: 31.5 kts
Range: Unlimited distance 20-25 years
Compliment: Ship’s company 3,532 Air Wing 2,480
Aircraft carried: 90 fixed wing and helicopters

F/A-18E Super Hornet

Crew: F/A-18E: 1 (pilot), F/A-18F: 2 (pilot and weapon systems officer)
Length: 60 ft 1.25 in (18.31 m)
Wingspan: 44 ft 8.5 in (13.62 m)
Height: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
Wing area: 500 sq ft (46.5 m2)
Empty weight: 32,081 lb (14,552 kg)
Gross weight: 47,000 lb (21,320 kg) (equipped as fighter)
Max takeoff weight: 66,000 lb (29,937 kg)
Internal fuel capacity: F/A-18E: 14,700 lb (6,667 kg), F/A-18F: 13,760 lb (6,241 kg)
External fuel Capacity: Up to 4 × 480 gal tanks, totaling 13,040 lb (5,914 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, 13,000 lbf (58 kN) thrust each dry, 22,000 lbf (98 kN) with afterburner
Maximum speed: 1,030 kn (1,190 mph, 1,915 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6
Range: 1,275 nmi (1,458 mi, 2,346 km) with armament of two AIM-9s
Combat range: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) combat radius for interdiction with 4 x 1,000 pounds (450 kg) bombs and 2x AIM-9s
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) at least
Rate of climb: 44,882 ft/min (228 m/s)