Charles Mendoza

USS Midway

U.S. Navy

The USS Midway is a decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now a museum located in San Diego, California. It served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1992, making it one of the longest-serving carriers in history. The Midway played a significant role in various military operations, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Visitors to the museum can explore the ship's flight deck, bridge, hangar deck, and numerous exhibits showcasing the carrier's history and significance.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, was commissioned in 1961 to serve as the U.S. Navy’s premier West Coast master jet base. Designed to support advanced jet operations, it quickly became the primary home for Pacific Fleet strike fighter squadrons. Over the decades, NAS Lemoore has hosted various aircraft, transitioning from the F-4 Phantom II, to the F-14 Tomcat, and currently the F/A-18 Hornet and F-35C Lightning II. The base continues to play a critical role in naval aviation training, operations, and power projection in the Pacific region.

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Crows Landing, located in California’s Central Valley, was established in 1942 as an auxiliary airfield to support the training needs of Naval Air Station Alameda during World War II. The airfield served primarily as a training base for carrier-based aircraft, with pilots practicing takeoffs and landings on its long runways. After the war, the facility continued in use for training and touch-and-go operations until the 1990s, when military activity ceased and the property was transferred to local authorities. Today, remnants of its military past remain, but the field stands as a testament to its critical role in preparing naval aviators for combat during and after World War II.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, located in Sunnyvale, California, was commissioned in 1933 as a key base for the U.S. Navy's airship program, famously housing the USS Macon in its massive Hangar One. During World War II, the station shifted focus to supporting anti-submarine patrols, training, and operations for Navy blimps and fixed-wing aircraft. After the war, NAS Moffett Field became home to various patrol squadrons flying P-3 Orion aircraft, playing a critical role in maritime surveillance during the Cold War. In 1994, the base was closed as an active naval installation and transferred to NASA, though elements of the Navy and other federal agencies continue to operate there today.

Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4), known as the "Skinny Dragons," is a United States Navy maritime patrol squadron originally established in 1943. During World War II, VP-4 conducted anti-submarine and reconnaissance missions across the Pacific theater, playing a key role in securing sea lanes. Over the decades, the squadron transitioned through several aircraft, including the P-2 Neptune, P-3 Orion, and currently operates the P-8A Poseidon. VP-4 has participated in numerous Cold War, post-Cold War, and modern operations, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support in various global theaters.

USS Enterprise

U.S. Navy

The USS Enterprise is a fictional starship in the popular science fiction franchise, Star Trek. It is one of the most iconic and recognizable spacecraft in television and film history. The USS Enterprise has appeared in multiple TV series, movies, and novels, serving as the flagship for the United Federation of Planets. It is known for its sleek design, advanced technology, and diverse crew of humans and aliens.

USS Ranger (CV-61) was a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Serving primarily in the Pacific Fleet, she participated in significant operations during the Vietnam War, providing air support and combat sorties. Over her long career, Ranger also took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, launching airstrikes against Iraqi targets. Decommissioned in 1993, USS Ranger earned numerous awards and distinctions, marking her as a key asset in U.S. naval aviation history.