Paul had received an invitation to view Carrier from UNC TV a week ago but the timing didn't work out for us, so we had to wait to see it on TV. Thankfully UNC TV has a great HD (high definition) channel so we could watch it in all its glory (sadly, not hear it though). We both have interest in past, present and future military battles, weapons, technology and people. We watch in awe and admiration at what our men and women in the armed forces do to protect our freedom every day around the clock.
A little background on Carrier (Episodes 1 & 2 aired last night, it will be on all this week on PBS):
"In May 2005, the USS Nimitz embarked on a six-month deployment to the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. These operations helped stabilize the maritime environment and complemented the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The Nimitz and its air wing, Air Wing 11, launched more than 4,500 sorties totaling more than 11,000 flight hours. More than 1,100 sorties and 6,000 flight hours were flown in direct support of troops on the ground in Iraq. (sorties = term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit; usually has a purpose of accomplishing a specific mission, whether alone or with other aircraft or vessels)
Ships from the Nimitz Strike Group also conducted 286 queries, 410 approaches and 14 boardings of foreign vessels in support of Fifth Fleet Maritime Security Operations.
During the deployment, the Nimitz Strike Group made a number of port visits throughout the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf including stops in Hawaii, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Bahrain, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Nimitz also made her first-ever stops in Guam and Perth, Australia before returning to California in November 2005."
