Aircraft Carrier

The key to the creation of a dedicated naval aviation service was the development of the aircraft carrier, a floating airfield that could sail with the fleet anywhere in the world. The Bureau of Aeronautics issued specifications for new carriers and aircraft and developed procedures for operations at sea. Its naval aviators pioneered new tactics for shipboard dive-bomber, torpedo, and fighting squadrons. American naval aviation had 20 years of operational experience when it entered combat during World War II.

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The Lexington represented the next generation of aircraft carriers after learning the lessons of the Langley.

Lt. Cmdr. Godfrey Chevalier lands on the Langley on October 26, 1922, in an Aeromarine 39-B.

America's aircraft carriers proved decisive in formulating naval aviation doctrine and tactics.

USS Langley was the first American aircraft carrier.