A Merry-Time in Maritime San Diego, Part I

I recently joined My Awesome Parents (MAP) in San Diego for my youngest brother's graduation. There was plenty of time for sightseeing at the harbor. The first afternoon we decided to visit the USS Midway aircraft carrier, named for the World War II Pacific battle in June 1942 but only commissioned in September 1945.

It was active for the duration of the Cold War, plying arctic waters, supporting NATO in the Atlantic, evacuating Saigon in 1975, patrolling the Pacific, participating in the Operation Desert Storm in 1990, and rescuing Filipinos after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. It was decommissioned in 1992 and became a museum in 2004. In 2022, TripAdvisor named it the #1 thing to do in San Diego!

Essentially a floating city armed for war, the ship could house up to 4,500 crew members and 80 aircraft. On the main hanger desk, we watched a 15-minute film about the Battle of Midway, which involved high loss of life on both sides but did help turn the tide of WWII in the Pacific theater.

Below decks, they have both officer and enlisted men's sleeping quarters, the "ready rooms" that also served as living rooms, command centers devoted to the people in charge of the operations of the ship, a darkened area for radar, weapons stations, the mess hall, and exhibits about helicopters and the Vietnam War. We could also walk around the enormous chains that hold the anchor.

A helicopter airman's gear--looks heavy! We had about 2-2.5 hours but should have budgeted for at least 3 hours. We did manage to see the medical facilities.

There are multiple operating rooms on board.

This mannequin is a pharmacist. Below left is one of multiple dentists, and on the right I think is the mailroom.