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Sailors on a U.S. aircraft carrier spend months at sea, performing a variety of activities to maintain operations and morale; How do they fill their days in a floating city?

Written by Rafaela Fabris
Published 24/05/2024 às 19:26
Sailors on a U.S. aircraft carrier spend months at sea, performing a variety of activities to maintain operations and morale; How do they fill their days in a floating city?
Photo: United States Navy/Disclosure

Sailors on the US aircraft carrier live in a floating city, where they perform daily tasks such as maintenance, training and even barbecues on deck. They occupy themselves with activities essential to the ship's operation and leisure time to keep morale high during long missions.

Life aboard a US aircraft carrier is intense and full of responsibilities. With more than 6.000 sailors on 18 or more decks, these ships are true floating cities, where everyone plays a crucial role. But how do these sailors fill time during long deployments at sea? Let's find out.

Sailors on the U.S. aircraft carrier work in a “symphony of precision and purpose.” Pilots prepare their planes for takeoff, while flight deck crews, known as “rainbow boys,” control operations. Each uniform color represents a different responsibility, such as aircraft control (yellow), refueling (purple), and maintenance (green).

To relieve stress, “steel beach days” are organized. During these days, the crew engages in activities such as basketball, dancing, barbecues and even golf on deck. These events help keep morale high and allow sailors to relax and socialize.

Aircraft carrier maintenance is a constant task

Aircraft carrier maintenance is a constant task. Cleaning the flight deck is a regular activity, supervised by petty officers, using fire hoses and detergents. Meal trays in the kitchen are cleaned by assistant chefs, ensuring everything is in order for the next meal.

Sailors have access to several onboard facilities such as barbershops, convenience stores and even a Starbucks branch. Stores sell everything from personal care items to electronics, offering a sense of normalcy.

Sailors participate in fire drills, casualty evacuation and combat drills

Training is essential to maintain readiness. Sailors participate in fire drills, casualty evacuation and combat drills. These trainings ensure that everyone is prepared for emergencies and battle situations.

During long missions, the aircraft carrier needs to be refueled at sea. This is done through complex transfers of fuel and supplies between ships, ensuring the aircraft carrier remains operational without needing to return to port.

Life aboard a US aircraft carrier is challenging and full of activities. From maintenance and cleaning to steel beach days and intensive training, each sailor plays a crucial role in the ship's operation. These efforts ensure that the crew is always ready for any situation, keeping morale high and the ship running smoothly.

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Rafaela Fabris

Talks about innovation, renewable energy, oil and gas. Updates daily on opportunities in the Brazilian job market.

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