• Navy carriers secure the international waters.carrier bridge 1 image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the official website of the United States Navy, "In over 80 percent of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the United States has responded with one or more carrier task forces." By sailing in international waters, there is no need to seek permission to land, or for overflight rights from other countries. Aircraft carriers represent a sovereign U.S. territory.
  
  

USS Langley

• The USS Langley held a maximum of 55 aircraft and 468 crewmembers. The carrier was 542 feet long with a displacement of 11,500 tons. The ship had a draft of 18 feet 11 inches, a 65 foot beam and four 5-inch guns. The aircraft was formerly the Jupiter, which was the premier U.S. Navy ship propelled electrically. After the Jupiter changed its name to USS Langley on April 11, 1920, the ship was reclassified from a AC-3 to a CV-1 and decommissioned March 20, 1922. The ship was under the command of Commander Kenneth Whiting. The USS Langley sank approximately 75 miles from Tjilatjap, Indonesia from an enemy act.
  
  

USS Lexington (CV 2 )

• From Dec. 14, 1927 to May 8, 1942, the United States Navy commissioned the USS Lexington. The ship sank from enemy fire. USS Lexington gained two battle stars for services performed during World War II, including training aviators. The ship was 888 feet long with a displacement of 41,000 tons and had a 32 foot draft. The ship sailed at 34.75 miles per hour. Also, USS Lexington held up to 2,122 crew members and 81 aircraft.
  
  

USS Theodore Roosevelt

• The USS Theodore Roosevelt launched Oct. 11, 1975. The ship features four catapults, four elevators and holds about 60 aircraft. The dimensions include a 1,092 foot flight deck, 95,000 ton displacement and extends 244 feet from the keel to mast. The ship moves at a rate of 34.75 miles per hour. Also, the ship accommodates 6,287 crew members.
  
  

USS George Washington

• The USS George Washington is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship was commissioned July 4, 1992. USS George Washington sails at speeds up to 34.75 mph. The ship is 1,092 feet long, has a keel to mast measurement of 244 feet and a 97,000-ton displacement. Also, the USS George Washington has four elevators, four catapults, two anchors and four propellers. The carrier holds approximately 75 aircraft and accommodates 6,250 crew members.