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The USS George H.W. Bush is one of the US Navy’s newest carriers and is the 10th and last of the venerable Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Commissioned in January 2009, CVN-77 is a modern marvel of engineering and the pinnacle of warfare on the seas. Made up of more than a billion parts from more than 2,000 contractors in 46 states, the Bush’s two nuclear reactors can propel the carrier at over 30 knots and provides electricity for its complex systems. With the full air wing embarked, the Bush carries over 80 aircraft, has a crew of 5,000 and can carry enough supplies to operate for 90 days without replenishment. Its plants distill 400,000 gallons of fresh water every day, and the mess serves 18,150 meals daily. The Bush towers 20 stories above the waterline, has a flight deck that covers 4.5 acres and is 1,092 feet long. The ship’s two rudders weigh 50 tons each and its arresting gear can bring heavy jet aircraft traveling at 150 mph to a standstill in under 400 feet.