After the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, my group trained every East Coast Carrier Strike Group that deployed through 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

FORBES: What Is It Like To Be The Commanding Officer Of An Aircraft Carrier?

Since World War II up until 2008, we maintained the dominant military force in the Mediterranean, consisting of at least one carrier battle group and an amphibious Ready Group with an embarked Marine battalion, along with logistic support ships and other units.

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The carrier captain is responsible for providing the platform, aviation assets and services required to support missions assigned by the Strike Group Commander.

FORBES: What Is It Like To Be The Commanding Officer Of An Aircraft Carrier?