Sec. 1085. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

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## SEC. 1085 SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ###

(a)Findings Congress makes the following findings: ####

(1)Naval aviation was born in the United States when Eugene Ely launched from the deck of a United States Navy ship on November 14, 1910, in a Curtiss Model D. ####

(2)In 1915, Cpt. Henry C. Mustin made the first catapult launch aboard a ship underway in a Curtiss Model AB-2, beginning a century of technological advancements that have led to today’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. ####

(3)In 1924, Lt. Dixie Kiefer made the first night catapult launch in a Vought UO-1 in San Diego harbor. ####

(4)The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was commissioned in 1961, ushering in a new era of the world’s most dominant and capable warships. ####

(5)In 2013, aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) provided humanitarian assistance, medical supplies, food, and water to the victims in the Republic of the Philippines of Super Typhoon Haiyan, once again demonstrating the versatility of aircraft carriers for combat, diplomatic, and humanitarian operations. ####

(6)In 2017, the first of the next generation of aircraft carriers, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), was commissioned, marking a continuation of the innovative naval aviation spirit, technological advancement, and war fighting capabilities of aircraft carriers. ####

(7)For over 70 years, aircraft carriers have been employed in every major and many smaller conflicts, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Lebanon, Libya, Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the fight against terrorism. ####

(8)The United States Navy’s aircraft carriers are a cornerstone of the Nation’s ability to project its power and strength. ####

(9)When aircraft carriers sail the globe they are a statement of national purpose and a symbol of the Nation’s industrial strength, competitive edge, and economic prosperity. ####

(10)Aircraft carriers are 4.5 acres of sovereign United States territory enabling the Nation to reduce its dependency on other nations while it pursues its national security interests. ####

(11)Aircraft carriers enable the United States Armed Forces to carry out operations from international waters, often obviating the need to obtain fly-over rights and land-base rights from other nations. ####

(12)Aircraft carriers are modern, mobile United States military bases complete with airfield, hospital, and communications systems from which the United States can strike at its enemies. ####

(13)Over 90 percent of world trade is moved by sea, including much of the world’s gas and oil supply, and aircraft carriers patrol vital regions of the world to keep shipping lanes open and protect the interests of the United States and its allies. ####

(14)There are more than 2,450 companies in 48 States and over 364 congressional districts, and more than 13,100 shipbuilders, who proudly contribute to the construction and maintenance of these complex and technologically advanced ships. ####

(15)Thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces have served the Nation aboard aircraft carriers in war, peace, and times of crisis. ###

(b)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)United States aircraft carriers are premier sea-based power projection platforms and have served the Nation’s interests in times of war and peace, adapting to the immediate and ever-changing nature of the world for over 90 years; and ####

(2)aircraft carrier contributions and heritage should be celebrated.