Thanks to friend Ron Plunkett, who was the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2010 Medal of Honor Convention and whose nephew flew Blue Angels plane 5, for finding this.

This video from The Discovery Channel, showcases the USS John C Stennis.  With a crew of over 6,000 men and women, at just shy of 1100 feet, over 100,000 tons of metal and with more than 80 aircraft, it has a more powerful airforce than 70% of the countries in the world.

Its two nuclear reactors provide enough power for two small cities.  They allow the Stennis to cruise at 30 knots and not have to refuel for another 22 years.  With between 200-400 people on deck, each of its four steam catapults can launch up to twenty planes an hour down a 300 foot track from zero to 140 kt in a second and a half.

This is a very well done examination of the personnel and equipment that all work together to make this carrier the formidable weapon it is.

10 minute video

Related Links:

Life Aboard a WWII Carrier In The Pacific

More WWII Carrier Pages