A ship this size has a multitude of information and control centers. The previous page pictured the CIC. To the left is the bridge, where most navigation and steering still takes place.

To the right is the air traffic control center. Any ship carrying aircraft is an airport. The ATC center (which is different from the control tower) is analogous to a land-based TRACON center. It keeps track of all traffic in the area, not just that inbound or outbound from the ship.

Along with the ATC center, there is a control tower (left), with the same functionality as the control tower at any airport, to coordinate the comings and goings of aircraft, both on the ground and in the air, on this "airport".

There are also centers used by the Marine Corps for command, control and communications connected with the expeditionary units. Since the Kearsarge deploys with other ships, there is an additional level of CCC involving all the ships in a task force.

Modern warships are equipped to operate under hostile biological, chemicla and radiological conditions. The ship can be sealed up air-tight, and has a positive pressure system to keep the inside clean. There are decontamination chambers throughout. The one pictured here has the capabilities to decontaminate casualties. There is also a very impressive hospital wing with a very well-equipped ICU, and several surgical facilities.

Pete and Nick showed me just about everything, from the bridge above to the engineering spaces (power and propulsion) below. The officer that Pete shares quarters with (I should learn to write names down) gave me an informative run-down on the functions of the stations and systems in the CIC. The whole thing was fascinating, and added a lot to the little bit of knowledge I picked up way-back-when I was at sea for a summer when I was 19.

Thanks to Pete and Nick, as well as the rest of the crew of the Kearsarge. Oh, and Pete, I love the hat ;-)