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Exploring An Aircraft Carrier


The USS Lexington CV-16, nicknamed “The Blue Ghost”, is a World War II Essex-class aircraft carrier that served the United States Navy from 1943 to 1991. It served longer and set more records than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation. Since 1992 the ship has been docked in Corpus Christi, Texas where she operates as a museum. In 2003 the Lexington was designated a National Historic Landmark.

KA-38 Sky Warrior

Blue Angel US Navy plane

During WWII the ship was the recipient of 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. She later was reclassified as an attack carrier, an antisubmarine carrier, then spent nearly 30 years serving on the East Coast as a training carrier. In 1980 the Lexington became the first aircraft carrier in the United States to have women stationed aboard as crew members.

Besides her history in the US Navy, the ship is also famous for being a film location for movies (Midway 1975, Pearl Harbor 2001), television shows (War and Remembrance 1987, Ghost Hunters 2007) and even a commercial. In 2014 Pepsi used the ship to film a commercial in preparation for the 2015 Super Bowl, titled “Operation Halftime”, featured singer Blake Shelton performing for veterans and their families.

Standard issue sleeping hammock

Bunks and lockers

Fuel oil and fresh water pipes adjacent to each other

Lifeboats

The museum is open daily for self-guided or group tours. Admission includes a 3D movie theater that shows the film “Aircraft Carrier Guardian of the Seas”. The 3D effects place you in the midst of conducting flight operations and simulated war exercises.

The original wood flight deck

On board Dental Office

The museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the Corpus Christi, Texas area.