United States Navy

The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and is designated as the navy of the United States in the Constitution. With 290 combat vessels, it is the world's second largest navy, behind the People's Liberation Army Navy, and by far the largest by displacement, at 4.5 million tons in 2021. It has the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with eleven in service, one undergoing trials, two new carriers under construction, and six other carriers planned as of 2024.

The Navy has a long history, starting from the Continental Navy established during the American Revolutionary War. It played important roles in many conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Today, the Navy is a powerful force that helps protect the United States and its interests around the world. It operates in many important areas, such as the Western Pacific, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean.

The Navy is part of the Department of the Navy, which also includes the United States Marine Corps. It has many ships, aircraft, and personnel ready to respond to any threat. The Navy is important for keeping peace and security worldwide.

Mission

The United States Navy works to get ready, train, and supply its forces to help protect the country and keep peace. Its main jobs include getting forces ready for war, taking care of airplanes and flying for the Navy, and making new tools and plans for Navy fights.

The Navy also helps control the seas, show strength, keep the oceans safe, move supplies by sea, and support other military actions when needed.

History

Main article: History of the United States Navy

Origins

The United States Navy began with a tradition of seafaring that included many sailors, captains, and shipbuilders. During the early days of the American Revolutionary War, Massachusetts had its own naval group. The idea of creating a national navy was discussed in the Continental Congress. Supporters believed a navy would protect shipping, defend the coast, and help gain support from other countries. Commander in Chief George Washington helped start the navy by commissioning the schooner USS Hannah to intercept British ships. On October 13, 1775, Congress approved the purchase of two armed ships, creating the Continental Navy, which is considered the start of the U.S. Navy. After the Revolutionary War, the last ship of the Continental Navy was sold in 1785 due to lack of funds.

In 1972, the Navy began celebrating its birthday on October 13 to honor the establishment of the Continental Navy in 1775.

From re-establishment to the Civil War

The United States did not have a navy for almost ten years after the Revolutionary War, which left American ships open to attacks. The U.S. Revenue-Marine, a predecessor of the U.S. Coast Guard, was the only armed sea force until the U.S. Navy’s first ships were launched in 1797. Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794, establishing a permanent navy and ordering the construction of six frigates. The first three, USS United States, USS Constellation, and USS Constitution, were launched by 1797. John Adams is often called the father of the American Navy for his strong support of a standing navy.

The Navy fought in the Quasi-War with France from 1798 to 1799 and the First Barbary War from 1801 to 1805, defending American ships from attackers and attacking their ports.

The Navy saw major action in the War of 1812, fighting many battles with the British Royal Navy. It won important victories, such as the Battle of Lake Erie, but could not stop the British from blockading ports. After the war, the Navy focused on protecting American shipping in areas like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. From 1819 until the Civil War, the Africa Squadron worked to stop the slave trade, seizing 36 slave ships.

During the Mexican–American War, the Navy blockaded Mexican ports and helped capture cities in Baja California. It also conducted the first large-scale amphibious operation in U.S. history by landing 12,000 troops in one day at Veracruz, Mexico. This victory helped lead to the end of the war.

Naval power was important during the American Civil War. The Union had a strong advantage at sea, and its blockade shut down many Confederate ports. Control of river systems made travel difficult for the Confederacy. The war saw the first combat between ironclad warships at the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862.

20th century

A modernization program in the 1880s led to the creation of steel-hulled warships, and the U.S. Navy gained respect after defeating the Spanish Navy in 1898. The Navy built many new ships, including battleships and aircraft carriers, and in 1907, most of its battleships sailed around the world to show the Navy’s global reach.

During World War I, the Navy protected soldiers and supplies crossing the Atlantic and helped lay mines in the North Sea. After the war, naval construction was limited by international agreements, but the Navy continued to innovate.

World War II

The U.S. Navy grew strongly in the years before World War II. Japan tried to weaken the Navy with a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, but the U.S. entered the war and the Navy grew greatly. It played a key role in the Pacific Theater, helping with the Allies’ “island hopping” strategy. The Navy fought in many important battles, including the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. By the end of the war in 1945, the U.S. Navy had hundreds of new ships and was the largest navy in the world.

Cold War and 1990s

See also: 1989 United States Navy order of battle and American naval ballistic systems

During the Cold War, the Navy focused on new technology and strategies to support U.S. allies. It took part in wars in Korea and Vietnam, helped block Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and used submarines as part of the nation’s nuclear defense. The Navy was involved in many operations in the Persian Gulf and supported various international missions.

21st century

The U.S. Navy continues to support U.S. interests around the world. Since the end of the Cold War, it has focused on special operations and regional conflicts. The Navy has been part of operations like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is modernizing with new ships and weapons, such as the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. The Navy works to keep global trade safe and support allied nations.

In 2007, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard adopted a new strategy focused on preventing conflicts. In 2010, leaders noted that the Navy’s demands have grown while its size has shrunk, so it must rely more on international partners. The Navy’s 2016 plan calls for a future fleet of 350 ships to meet global challenges. A 2018 law aims to grow the fleet to 355 ships as soon as possible.

Organization

Main article: Structure of the United States Navy

The U.S. Navy is part of the Department of the Navy, led by the Secretary of the Navy. The top naval officer is the Chief of Naval Operations, a four-star admiral who reports to the Secretary and is also part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Together, they organize, train, and prepare the Navy for missions under commanders of the unified combatant commands.

The Navy has ten main groups, including the United States Fleet Forces Command, United States Pacific Fleet, and the Navy Reserve. There are seven active numbered fleets, each led by senior officers. These fleets are grouped under larger commands.

On land, shore establishments support the Navy through facilities and services. These include training, cyber command, space command, and more, helping to keep the Navy ready for its missions.

Operating forces

Main article: List of units of the United States Navy

Further information: Structure of the United States Navy § Numbered fleets

The U.S. Navy has ten main groups that help it carry out its duties around the world.

• The United States Fleet Forces Command
• The United States Pacific Fleet
• The United States Naval Forces Central Command
• The United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa
• The United States Naval Forces Southern Command
• The Naval Network Warfare Command
• The Navy Reserve
• The United States Naval Special Warfare Command
• The Operational Test and Evaluation Force
• The Military Sealift Command

Fleet Forces Command manages special teams and information forces. The Navy has seven active numbered fleets, each led by senior officers. These fleets work under larger commands.

Shore establishments

Shore establishments support the Navy with land-based facilities and services. As of April 2011, these include the Naval Education and Training Command, the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, the Navy Space Command, and many others that help keep the Navy running smoothly.

Relationships with other service branches

United States Marine Corps

Main article: United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps has been part of the Department of the Navy since 1834. The Navy and Marine Corps work closely together because they both focus on sea operations. The Marine Corps depends on the Navy for medical and religious support. Navy personnel often join Marine units on missions.

Marines often travel on Navy ships to carry out operations far from shore. While they have their own chain of command, they sometimes coordinate with Navy leaders. Some Marine pilots train and fly with Navy pilots, sharing similar tasks and missions.

United States Coast Guard

Main article: United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard helps with law enforcement and rescue at sea. It can send teams to Navy ships to help with arrests and other duties. In times of war, the Coast Guard may operate under the Navy. Coast Guard units also help protect ports and coastal areas around the world.

Personnel

Main article: Personnel of the United States Navy

The United States Navy has more than 400,000 people. About a quarter of them are ready reserves. Of those who are actively serving, most are sailors who are not officers, and about fifteen percent are officers. Others are students at the United States Naval Academy or training to become officers.

Sailors start with basic training at boot camp and then go to training for their specific jobs. They show they have learned their jobs well by finishing tasks and tests called Personnel Qualification Standards. One important test is the "warfare qualification," which shows they are good at their job, whether it is on ships, in airplanes, with information, or in special duties.

See also: Uniforms of the United States Navy

The uniforms of the U.S. Navy have changed over time since 1802. They are mostly navy blue and white, similar to uniforms from the Royal Navy.

Navy officers can be line officers or staff corps officers. Line officers wear a gold star on their uniform, while staff officers wear special signs that show what they do.

Main article: Warrant officer (United States)

Warrant officers are experts who help run important parts of a ship. They come from sailors who have been in service for many years.

See also: List of United States Navy enlisted rates, Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted, and List of United States Navy ratings

Sailors who are new are called apprentices. As they move up, they become Petty Officers, who help lead other sailors. The highest enlisted sailors can become Master Chief Petty Officers. Some may become Command Master Chief Petty Officers, who help the officer in charge of a ship or group.

See also: Badges of the United States Navy

The Navy gives special signs to sailors for things they have done well. These signs can be worn on uniforms. Some of these signs are for being a pilot, working on submarines, or serving on ships.

Bases

Main article: List of United States Navy installations

The United States Navy needs many places to support its work all over the world. Most of these places are in the United States, but the Navy also has important spots in other countries.

Eastern United States

Many Navy places are in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This area has over 36,000 acres of land for the Navy. It includes Naval Station Norfolk, where many ships stay, and other important centers for training and working.

Maryland has a place called NAS Patuxent River, where the Navy tests new airplanes. The United States Naval Academy is in Annapolis, Maryland. In Rhode Island, NS Newport has schools for future Navy officers.

Florida has several Navy bases, including NS Mayport in Jacksonville and NAS Pensacola, where many Navy pilots learn to fly. In Connecticut, Naval Submarine Base New London is a main place for submarines. NSB Kings Bay in Georgia is another important submarine base.

Western United States and Hawaii

The biggest Navy area in the Western United States is Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California, covering a huge part of the land. Naval Base San Diego is where many Pacific Fleet ships are home. NAS North Island in Coronado, California, is important for helicopter squadrons and part of the West Coast aircraft carrier fleet.

In Washington state, NS Everett is a modern base. NAS Fallon in Nevada is where many Navy pilots train. Hawaii’s NS Pearl Harbor is the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet.

United States territories

Guam, an island in the Western Pacific, has a Navy base that can hold big ships. Puerto Rico once had a Navy base, but it closed in 2004.

Foreign countries

The Navy has a large base in Yokosuka, Japan, which is important for operations in the Western Pacific. In Europe, the Navy has bases in Italy, Spain, and Greece. In the Middle East, there are bases near the Persian Gulf, with NSA Bahrain serving as a key headquarters. NS Guantanamo Bay in Cuba is one of the oldest overseas bases.

Equipment

Main article: List of equipment of the United States Navy

As of 2018, the navy operates over 460 ships (including vessels operated by the Military Sealift Command), 3,650+ aircraft, 50,000 non-combat vehicles and owns 75,200 buildings on 3,300,000 acres (13,000 km²).

Ships

See also: List of equipment of the United States Navy, List of current ships of the United States Navy, List of currently active United States military watercraft, and United States ship naming conventions

The names of commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy are prefixed with the letters "USS", designating "United States Ship". Non-commissioned, civilian-manned vessels of the navy have names that begin with "USNS", standing for "United States Naval Ship". The names of ships are officially selected by the secretary of the navy, often to honor important people or places. Additionally, each ship is given a letter-based hull classification symbol (for example, CVN or DDG) to indicate the vessel's type and number. All ships in the navy inventory are placed in the Naval Vessel Register, which is part of "the Navy List" (required by article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).^{[dubious – discuss]} The register tracks data such as the current status of a ship, the date of its commissioning, and the date of its decommissioning. Vessels that are removed from the register prior to disposal are said to be stricken from the register. The navy also maintains a reserve fleet of inactive vessels that are maintained for reactivation in times of need.

The U.S. Navy was one of the first to install nuclear reactors aboard naval vessels. Today, nuclear energy powers all active U.S. aircraft carriers and submarines.

In early 2010, the U.S. Navy had identified a need for 313 combat ships but could only afford 232 to 243 ships. In March 2014, the Navy started counting self-deployable support ships such as minesweepers, surveillance craft, and tugs in the "battle fleet" to reach a count of 272 as of October 2016, and it includes ships that have been put in "shrink wrap". The number of ships generally ranged between 270 and 300 throughout the late 2010s. As of February 2022, the Navy has 296 battle force ships, however analyses state the Navy needs a fleet of more than 500 to meet its commitments.

Aircraft carriers

Main article: List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy

Aircraft carriers act as airbases for carrier-based aircraft. They are the largest vessels in the Navy fleet and all are nuclear-powered. An aircraft carrier is typically deployed along with a host of additional vessels, forming a carrier strike group. The supporting ships, which usually include three or four Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers, a frigate, and two attack submarines, are tasked with protecting the carrier from air, missile, sea, and undersea threats as well as providing additional strike capabilities themselves. Ready logistics support for the group is provided by a combined ammunition, oiler, and supply ship. Modern carriers are named after American admirals and politicians, usually presidents.

The Navy has a statutory requirement for a minimum of 11 aircraft carriers. All 11 carriers are currently active, ten Nimitz-class and one Gerald R. Ford-class.

Amphibious warfare ships

Main article: List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships

Amphibious assault ships are the centerpieces of US amphibious warfare and fulfill the same power projection role as aircraft carriers except that their striking force centers on land forces instead of aircraft. They deliver, command, coordinate, and fully support all elements of a 2,200-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit in an amphibious assault using both air and amphibious vehicles. Resembling small aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships are capable of V/STOL, STOVL, VTOL, tiltrotor, and rotary wing aircraft operations. They also contain a well deck to support the use of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and other amphibious assault watercraft. Recently, amphibious assault ships have begun to be deployed as the core of an expeditionary strike group, which usually consists of an additional amphibious transport dock and dock landing ship for amphibious warfare and an Aegis-equipped cruiser and destroyer, frigate, and attack submarine for group defense. Amphibious assault ships are typically named after World War II aircraft carriers.

Amphibious transport docks are warships that embark, transport, and land Marines, supplies, and equipment in a supporting role during amphibious warfare missions. With a landing platform, amphibious transport docks also have the capability to serve as secondary aviation support for an expeditionary group. All amphibious transport docks can operate helicopters, LCACs, and other conventional amphibious vehicles while the newer San Antonio class of ships has been explicitly designed to operate all three elements of the Marines' "mobility triad": Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles (EFVs), the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and LCACs. Amphibious transport docks are typically named after U.S. cities.

The dock landing ship is a medium amphibious transport that is designed specifically to support and operate LCACs, though it is able to operate other amphibious assault vehicles in the United States inventory as well. Dock landing ships are normally deployed as a component of an expeditionary strike group's amphibious assault contingent, operating as a secondary launch platform for LCACs. All dock landing ships are named after cities or important places in U.S. and U.S. Naval history.

The Navy operates 32 amphibious warfare ships, eight Wasp class and two America class amphibious assault ships, four Harpers Ferry class and six Whidbey Island class dock landing ships, and 12 San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ships.

Cruisers

Main article: List of cruisers of the United States Navy

Cruisers are large surface combat vessels that conduct anti-air/anti-missile warfare, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and strike operations independently or as members of a larger task force. Modern guided missile cruisers were developed out of a need to counter the anti-ship missile threat facing the United States Navy. This led to the development of the AN/SPY-1 phased array radar and the RIM-67 Standard missile with the Aegis combat system coordinating the two. Ticonderoga-class cruisers were the first to be equipped with Aegis and were put to use primarily as anti-air and anti-missile defense in a battle force protection role. Later developments of vertical launch systems and the Tomahawk missile gave cruisers additional long-range land and sea strike capability, making them capable of both offensive and defensive battle operations. The Ticonderoga class is the only active class of cruiser. All cruisers in this class are named after battles.

Destroyers

Main article: List of destroyers of the United States Navy

Destroyers are multi-mission medium surface ships capable of sustained performance in anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-ship, and offensive strike operations. Like cruisers, guided missile destroyers are primarily focused on surface strikes using Tomahawk missiles and fleet defense through Aegis and the Standard missile. Destroyers additionally specialize in anti-submarine warfare and are equipped with VLA rockets and LAMPS Mk III Sea Hawk helicopters to deal with underwater threats. When deployed with a carrier strike group or expeditionary strike group, destroyers and their fellow Aegis-equipped cruisers are primarily tasked with defending the fleet while providing secondary strike capabilities. With very few exceptions, destroyers are named after U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes.

The U.S. Navy currently has 75 destroyers, 73 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and two Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers, with a third (the USS Lyndon B. Johnson) expected to enter service sometime in 2024.

Frigates and Littoral combat ships

Main articles: List of frigates of the United States Navy and Littoral combat ship

Modern U.S. frigates mainly perform anti-submarine warfare for carrier and expeditionary strike groups and provide armed escort for supply convoys and merchant shipping. They are designed to protect friendly ships against hostile submarines in low to medium threat environments, using torpedoes and LAMPS helicopters. Independently, frigates are able to conduct counterdrug missions and other maritime interception operations. As in the case of destroyers, frigates are named after U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes.

In late 2015, the U.S. Navy retired its most recent class of traditional frigates in favor of the littoral combat ship (LCS), relatively small vessels designed for near-shore operations that was expected to assume many of the duties the frigate had with the fleet. The LCS was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals", although their ability to perform these missions in practice has been called into question. The Navy has announced it plans to reduce procurement of the LCS and retire early examples of the type.

The Navy planned to purchase up to 20 of the Constellation-class frigate (18 cancelled 2 under construction to be completed). Constellation is based on the FREMM multipurpose frigate, already in service with European navies.

The U.S. Navy has 23 littoral combat ships, eight Freedom-class and 15 Independence-class ships as of 2025.

Mine countermeasures ships

Main article: List of mine warfare vessels of the United States Navy

Mine countermeasures vessels are a combination of minehunters, a naval vessel that actively detects and destroys individual naval mines, and minesweepers, which clear mined areas as a whole, without prior detection of the mines. MCM vessels have mostly legacy names of previous US Navy ships, especially World War II-era minesweepers.

The Navy operates eight Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, with four expected to be retired in 2024.

Submarines

Main article: Submarines in the United States Navy

The U.S. Navy operates three types of submarines: attack submarines, ballistic missile submarines and guided missile submarines. All current and planned U.S. Navy submarines are nuclear-powered, as nuclear propulsion allows for a combination of stealth and long-duration, high-speed, sustained underwater movement.

Attack submarines typically operate as part of a carrier battle group, while guided missile submarines generally operate independently and carry larger quantities of cruise missiles. Both types have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and other subs, launching cruise missiles, gathering intelligence, and assisting in special operations. Ballistic missile submarines operate independently with only one mission: to carry and, if called upon, to launch the Trident nuclear missile.

The Navy operates 69 submarines, 29 Los Angeles class attack submarines (with two more in reserve), 18 Ohio class submarines with 14 configured as ballistic missile submarines and four configured as guided missile submarines, three Seawolf class attack submarines, and 19 Virginia class attack submarines.

Other

A special case is the USS Constitution, commissioned in 1797 as one of the original six frigates of the United States Navy and which remains in commission at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. She occasionally sails for commemorative events such as Independence Day.

The Navy operates a class of small tugboats, called barrier boats.

Aircraft

Main article: List of active United States naval aircraft

See also: List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons and List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)

Carrier-based aircraft are able to strike air, sea, and land targets far from a carrier strike group while protecting friendly forces from enemy aircraft, ships, and submarines. In peacetime, aircraft's ability to project the threat of sustained attack from a mobile platform on the seas gives United States leaders significant diplomatic and crisis-management options. Aircraft additionally provide logistics support to maintain the navy's readiness and, through helicopters, supply platforms with which to conduct search and rescue, special operations, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare, including the U.S. Navy's premier Maritime Strike and only organic ASW aircraft, the venerable Sikorsky MH-60R operated by Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing.

The U.S. Navy began to research the use of aircraft at sea in the 1910s, with Lieutenant Theodore G. "Spuds" Ellyson becoming the first naval aviator on 28 January 1911, and commissioned its first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV-1), in 1922. United States naval aviation fully came of age in World War II, when it became clear following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway that aircraft carriers and the planes that they carried had replaced the battleship as the greatest weapon on the seas. Leading navy aircraft in World War II included the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair, the Douglas SBD Dauntless, and the Grumman TBF Avenger. Navy aircraft also played a significant role in conflicts during the following Cold War years, with the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat becoming military icons of the era. The navy's current primary fighter-attack airplane is the multi-mission F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The F-35C entered service in 2019. The Navy is also looking to eventually replace its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with the F/A-XX program.

The Aircraft Investment Plan sees naval aviation growing from 30 percent of current aviation forces to half of all procurement funding over the next three decades.

Weapons

Main article: List of United States Navy weapons

Current U.S. Navy shipboard weapons systems are almost entirely focused on missiles, both as a weapon and as a threat. In an offensive role, missiles are intended to strike targets at long distances with accuracy and precision. Because they are unmanned weapons, missiles allow for attacks on heavily defended targets without risk to human pilots. Land strikes are the domain of the BGM-109 Tomahawk, which was first deployed in the 1980s and is continually being updated to increase its capabilities. For anti-ship strikes, the navy's dedicated missile is the Harpoon Missile. To defend against enemy missile attack, the navy operates a number of systems that are all coordinated by the Aegis combat system. Medium-long range defense is provided by the Standard Missile 2, which has been deployed since the 1980s. The Standard missile doubles as the primary shipboard anti-aircraft weapon and is undergoing development for use in theater ballistic missile defense. Short range defense against missiles is provided by the Phalanx CIWS and the more recently developed RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. In addition to missiles, the navy employs Mark 46, Mark 48, and Mark 50 torpedoes and various types of naval mines.

Naval fixed-wing aircraft employ much of the same weapons as the United States Air Force for both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. Air engagements are handled by the heat-seeking Sidewinder and the radar guided AMRAAM missiles along with the M61 Vulcan cannon for close range dogfighting. For surface strikes, navy aircraft use a combination of missiles, smart bombs, and dumb bombs. On the list of available missiles are the Maverick, SLAM-ER and JSOW. Smart bombs include the GPS-guided JDAM and the laser-guided Paveway series. Unguided munitions such as dumb bombs and cluster bombs make up the rest of the weapons deployed by fixed-wing aircraft.

Rotary aircraft weapons are focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and light to medium surface engagements. To combat submarines, helicopters use Mark 46 and Mark 50 torpedoes. Against small watercraft, they use Hellfire and Penguin air to surface missiles. Helicopters also employ various types of mounted anti-personnel machine guns, including the M60, M240, GAU-16/A, and GAU-17/A.

Nuclear weapons in the U.S. Navy arsenal are deployed through ballistic missile submarines and aircraft. The Ohio-class submarine carries the latest iteration of the Trident missile, a three-stage, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with MIRV capability; the current Trident II (D5) version is expected to be in service past 2020. The navy's other nuclear weapon is the air-deployed B61 nuclear bomb. The B61 is a thermonuclear device that can be dropped by strike aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet at high speed from a large range of altitudes. It can be released through free-fall or parachute and can be set to detonate in the air or on the ground.

Naval jack

The United States Navy uses a special flag called the Union Jack, which is a small blue flag with the stars of all 50 states. During a time of war, from 2002 to 2019, Navy ships flew a different flag called the First Navy Jack instead. This change happened to honor the memory of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Union Jack was used again starting on June 4, 2019, to remember a big naval battle that happened on that date in 1942. When a ship is tied up at a dock, the Union Jack is shown at the front, called the bow, while another flag called the ensign is shown at the back, called the stern. When the ship is moving, the ensign is raised on the tallest pole on the ship. Before 2019, only the oldest active Navy ship, the USS Blue Ridge, used the First Navy Jack.

Notable sailors

For a more comprehensive list, see List of United States Navy people.

Many important people in American history have served in the U.S. Navy. Some famous officers include John P. Jones, John Barry, James Lawrence, Stephen Decatur Jr., David Farragut, and George Dewey.

Several U.S. Presidents also served in the Navy, including John F. Kennedy, who commanded the PT-109 during World War II. Other notable Navy veterans include astronauts, entertainers, authors, musicians, athletes, business leaders, and computer scientists.

Naval post offices

During World War I, the first U.S. government post offices were set up on Navy ships, run by a Navy postal clerk. Before this, mail from crew members was collected and dropped off at the nearest port, where it was processed at a US Post Office. Before email and the internet, handwritten mail was the main way Navy crew could talk to their families and friends while at sea. Mail was very important to the crew, almost as important as food and ammunition.

Letters and other mail sent by commanders, officers, and crew members often include names, ranks, signatures, addresses, and ship postmarks. This information can help naval historians and biographers learn about dates and locations of naval ships and crew during battles or operations. One famous example is mail sent from the USS Arizona before and on December 7, 1941.