ACIBC Fact Sheet: Diplomacy
The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) prepares
to anchor in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor.
- The U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers are a cornerstone of America’s ability to project its power and strength.
- In March 2008, when Taiwan held important presidential elections to define the future of that country's relationship with China, both the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Nimitz were stationed nearby to help ensure a smooth transition of events and deliver a message of U.S. interest in the outcome.
- Aircraft carriers enable America to reduce its dependency on other nations while it pursues its national security interests.
- They enable U.S. forces to carry out operations from international waters, avoiding the complications of securing fly-over rights and land-base rights from other nations.
- Carriers can rapidly transport large, powerful forces to any region in the globe, and engage in several missions simultaneously.