USS Midway (CV-41)

• 1. Longest-serving Aircraft Carrier: USS Midway (CV-41) was commissioned a week after World War II ended in 1945 and served for 47 years, making her the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. • 2. Cold War Pioneer: Midway was the first U.S. carrier to operate in the Atlantic during the Cold War, serving as a vital presence to deter Soviet threats in Europe. • 3. Flagship During the Vietnam War: She served as the flagship for Carrier Task Force 77 and participated in some of the most significant air strikes during the Vietnam War. • 4. Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, during the fall of Saigon, Midway played a crucial role in Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, saving thousands of refugees. • 5. Record-Setting Rescue: During Operation Frequent Wind, South Vietnamese Air Force Major Buang-Ly landed a small Cessna O-1 Bird Dog on Midway’s deck, an unprecedented feat that saved his family. • 6. Early Angled Flight Deck: Midway was among the first carriers to be retrofitted with an angled flight deck, enabling simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft, a major advancement in carrier operations. • 7. Gulf War Service: She was the flagship of naval air operations during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, launching hundreds of sorties into Iraq and Kuwait. • 8. Homeport in Japan: In 1973, Midway became the first U.S. carrier to be forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan, strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and rapid response capability in the Pacific. • 9. Decommissioned in 1992: After nearly five decades of service, she was decommissioned in San Diego and later transformed into the USS Midway Museum, one of the most popular naval museums in the U.S. • 10. Unique Nicknames: Over the years, the ship was affectionately known as "Rock'n Roll Carrier" (for her rough rides in heavy seas) and "Midway Magic" due to her uncanny resilience and storied history.