USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)

The USS Harry S. Truman is another in the long line of Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. With her mighty air wing and the ability to be called upon anywhere in the world, the Harry S. Truman is a powerful cog in the US Navy machine and has seen recent action in support of the Global was on Terror. As of this writing, she is currently in active service.

As with her sister ships in the Nimitz-class, the USS Harry S. Truman features a starboard island superstructure and an angled portside flight deck. Four hangar elevators service the flight deck along with four steam catapults, two on the forward deck and two on the angled. Defense consists of 2 x Sea Sparrow missile launchers and 2 x Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for anti-aircraft defense. 3 x 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System)s provide a final level of defense against incoming enemy missiles and aircraft. This defensive ring is also augmented by the fleet support vessels sailing along with the aircraft carrier. From an offensive standpoint, the USS Harry Truman can field as many as 90 aircraft of various types and includes anti-submarine/ship helicopters, search and rescue systems and fighter/bombers.

The Harry Truman is powered by twin Westinghouse nuclear reactors making her range essentially unlimited - or the life of the reactors themselves. These in turn power four steam turbines which turn 4 x shafts at up to 260,000 shaft horsepower topping speeds of 30 knots. Her crew complement consists of over 5,600 airmen and sailors.

The USS Harry S. Truman was called into service in support of Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq and later took an active part in the actual invasion of the country in 2003. Following hostilities there, the Harry Truman took a more humanitarian role in assisting the hurricane-torn regions of southern United States after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Beyond that service, the vessel has undergone regular and preventative maintenance service and a notable system upgrade in 2006. As of this writing the vessel is in home port.

The USS Harry S. Truman was first ordered in 1988 and laid down in 1993 by Newport News Shipbuilding. She was launched in 1996 and officially commissioned in 1998. She makes home in Norfolk, Virginia USA and fights under the motto of "The Buck Stops Here", in reference to her namesake - the former US President Harry S. Truman. The USS Harry S. Truman is sometimes referred to as simply "HST".

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Last Updated: 11/3/2008