USS Carl Vinson w/ Japanese escort...

The US Naval Institute recently released a video of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) patrolling the Philippine sea with four Japanese guided-missile destroyers, a US Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and an Arleigh-Berke guided-missile destroyer.



While the Vinson is a long way from home, it's toured the Pacific for decades and never once had to fear for the 70 or so aircraft on board and 7,000 or so sailors working above and below the deck for one big reason — it's escort of the world's most advanced fighting ships.

A core tenant of the US Navy, despite having the most and best ships in the world, is to never go it alone. Hence, we don't speak of a super carrier, but a super carrier task force. Anywhere the Vinson sails, expect to find guided-missile destroyers armed to the teeth and ready to defend the Vinson while dealing some damage of its own to whatever enemy it may encounter. The helicopters are a constant accompaniment, and are crucial for anti-submarine warfare. In addition, there are at least two Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets in the air overhead at all times, unless coming into port (where land based defenses are available).

The Vinson, our smallest super carrier, used to be based in San Francisco Bay (Alameda Naval Air Station), and I've watched her enter the Golden Gate many times. Always a magnificent sight.