The Gallery Deck of the ship is linked to the strategic operations of the carrier.  It contains the Captains Cabin which keeps him close to the bridge, the CIC (Combat Information Center) and the Ready Rooms.  The Ready Rooms are where all the critical flight operations are communicated to the pilots and navigators.  The CIC sees all, interprets all, and communicates all of the necessary information about the ships readiness for both air and sea operations.  With radar projecting hundreds of miles it tracks and interprets the movement of all vessels and aircraft, both friendly and enemy, and constantly communicates the area of operations status to the Captain, the Navigator, and the Flight Operations Commander.

It’s when you visit the Lower Decks that you really get the sense of a carrier being a floating town.  It has restaurants, motels, doctors, dentists, barbers, and a library.  

And of course it contains the area of the ship that powers it all.  This little staircase actually takes you over a shaft that drives one of the propellers.

Sleeping berths.

 

 

Produce preparation, and below, the machine shop.

 

Sick bay and the dentist chair.  When you walked through this area they actually had the sound of drills and sailors wailing in pain.  It was pretty cute.

The Lexington did not disappoint.  It was well worth the year’s wait to to finally see her, and I would definitely say if you come to south Texas don’t miss the opportunity.

One more thing of note, and something that surprised me.  My body was stiff for a couple of days afterward.  A thorough “search” of the ship is a wake up for muscles not always used.  For a taller person you find yourself walking in a stoop some of the time.  When going through the bulk head doors and passage ways you contort your body to step over and bend down at the same time.  You do this probably about 150 times.  The staircases are steep and the risers shallow.  When you go up and down those babies you are gripping  the railings for dear life.  And of course if you’re not careful, you are in constant danger of clanging your head.  It wore me out.  But don’t let that stop you.  A person can do or not do as they wish, and there’s plenty to see without it being an athletic event.

I am well, and with a couple of exceptions, enjoying great weather.  Love to all.