The idea of projecting power from a naval vessel using airborne vehicles is nothing new. In 1806, the 32-gun frigate HMS Pallas used kites to drop propaganda leaflets on French territory. In 1849, Austria attempted to bomb Venice using manned hot air balloons launched from one of its ships. The French Navy commissioned the first seaplane carrier in 1911, which lowered planes onto the ocean’s surface so they could take off. These naval vessels can be described as precursors to modern aircraft carrier.

What distinguishes aircraft carriers from these early vessels is their ability to launch and recover fixed-wing aircraft using what we now call a “flight deck.” This feat was achieved in stages.

The U.S. Navy launched a 50-horsepower Curtiss biplane from a wooden platform built over the bow of the light cruiser USS Birmingham in 1910, but the plane had to land at a nearby airstrip. The following year, the U.S. Navy landed another Curtiss biplane on a longer platform built over the USS Pennsylvania, an armored cruiser at anchor in San Francisco Bay. The plane then took off from the cruiser’s flight deck and returned to Selfridge Field, San Francisco. Some have argued that the Pennsylvania, because it was the first ship to both land and launch a fixed-wing aircraft, was the world’s first aircraft carrier.

The Pennsylvania, however, was designed as a cruiser and adapted for experimental aircraft operations, and it was never commissioned for service as an aircraft carrier. The HMS Ark Royal, though designed as a merchant ship, was converted into a dual-use seaplane carrier and aircraft carrier (with a flight deck and two airplanes) in 1914. After its commissioning, the Ark Royal served in combat operations during the Dardanelles Campaign and throughout World War I. The first ship on record to be designed, built and commissioned as an aircraft carrier was Japan’s Hosho, which was commissioned in 1922. The first such carriers in the American fleet, the USS Saratoga and USS Lexington, would not enter service until 1927.

With the PBS series on aircraft carriers about to be released, I encourage everyone to read this article on the historical significance of aircraft carriers and to share it with others.

Having worked in the White House for over three years as the senior military representative responsible for military support to Presidents Bush and Clinton, I saw and heard the first words out of their mouths when a crisis arose: “Where is the nearest Carrier?” The aircraft carrier remains 4-1/2 acres of sovereign U.S. territory that allows our nation an array of options: friendly port calls in partner nations; demonstration of national resolve, sending a message about potential future action; help with natural disasters; and, if needed, deep around-the-clock offensive airstrikes or surgical one-time events. This is the only weapons system in the world that can cover such a wide spectrum of capabilities.

It can roam over 80% of the earth’s surface without asking permission for overflight, reach deep inland if required, and can be on station continuously.

One example: During the China-Taiwan missile crises in the mid-‘90s, insurance companies would not allow ships anywhere near Taiwan. The US stock market fell over 11% in two days, which was hundreds of billions of dollars lost from investment and retirement accounts. The Navy sailed two aircraft carrier battle groups toward Taiwan. Upon their arrival, China stopped conducting “missile tests.” The next day, shipping resumed and the following day the stock markets rose again.

That is an awesome return on investment: a few billion spent on carriers and their aircraft that saved hundreds of billions in American investments.

RADM Jay B. Yakeley USN (Ret.)
CSC Partner, Navy Client
Falls Church, Va.