USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | San Diego: Part 1

Commissioned just one week after the end of World War II, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, now permanently docked in San Diego, has had an impressive career. This aircraft carrier was the lead ship of her class, the largest ship in the world until 1955, and operated for an impressive 47 years before being decommissioned in 1992. Notably, the USS Midway saw action and played a strategic role in both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.

Exploring an aircraft carrier is nothing short of incredible. Specifically, standing on the flight deck of the Midway makes you realize what an impressive technological achievement it really is. Having explored both the USS Missouri Battleship and USS Bowfin Submarine at Pearl Harbor, both of which were also constructed during the same era, it's amazing to learn more about military history through maritime museums such as this.

The USS Midway Museum features an extensive collection of military aircraft spanning decades, numerous life-at-sea exhibits, as well as a variety of areas within the ship that visitors can explore. Still looking formidable along the waterfront in downtown San Diego, California, the USS Midway is a unique attraction and a rare opportunity to get an up close look at an aircraft carrier that was in use for the entirety of the Cold War.

USS Midway ca. 1970s

Massive anchor chains of the USS Midway.