During the twentieth century, few military organizations played a more crucial role than Naval Aviation. In war at sea, eclipsing the battleship as the decisive weapon, aircraft carriers projected their powerful air wings over vast expanses of water, striking with surprise at enemy fleets and land bases, then disappearing with equal swiftness. In times of peace, the carrier and her battle group provided American political leaders a flexible, always ready and potent way to respond to regional crises wherever and whenever vital American interests were threatened. "Where are the carriers?" has been the first question asked by American presidents at the start of every national security crisis since the end of World War II.
Naval Aviation has also been at the cutting edge of aerospace expeditions, from the first successful crossing of the Atlantic by an aircraft, exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic, and journeys of discovery into outer space. The common denominator for those who participated in this exciting history was their training in a sleepy little Southern city on the Gulf of Mexico, the site of the nation's first naval air station.
This week, the National Naval Aviation Museum, home to the Blue Angels, in Pensacola, Florida.
Tombstone
The Jell-O Gallery Museum
Wild Blueberry Land
The London Bridge
Buc-ee's
Dr Pepper
Wall Drug
Evel Knievel
Alaska and the Aurora Borealis
The West Baden Springs Hotel
America's Strangest Graves
Mark Twain's Hannibal
Jack Daniel's Distillery
America's First Bank Robbery
Lizzie Borden
Radio City Music Hall
The Mall of America
Carhenge
The Library of Congress
Graceland
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