Navy warship becomes giant theater
• Special Report: The Pearl Harbor story
Photos by Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis snugly fits into its berth at Pearl Harbor, in full view of the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. The Stennis will hold the premiere of the movie, "Pearl Harbor." More photos.
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
One of the Navy's most modern warships, the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, arrived in Hawai'i yesterday to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime mission: To help Hollywood hold the world premiere of a major motion picture, "Pearl Harbor."
The 4.5-acre flight deck of the Stennis, which ranks among the most dangerous places on Earth, will become a floating theater with a drive-in feel. "Pearl Harbor" will premiere Monday night on a giant movie screen erected on the aft of the ship. Viewers will watch from bleachers built nearby.
The carrier was named after former U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis, who served with eight presidents, from Harry Truman in 1947 to Ronald Reagan in 1988. While serving, he gained the honorary title as "the father of America's modern Navy."
Although it arrived on a training mission without its aircraft, the Stennis normally deploys with an air wing that consists of fighter jets, surveillance planes and helicopters. When accompanied by the wing, there are 6,200 people aboard the carrier. About 2,500 men and women sailed with the Stennis on this trip.
The Navy says the air wing can destroy enemy aircraft, ships, submarines and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship. Stennis' aircraft are used to conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the battle group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade.
And with its two nuclear reactors, the 97,000-ton Stennis has nearly unlimited range and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. At night, with jet planes coming out of the darkness at 150 mph and landing with such force that the noise can be heard below, the flight deck can truly be a hostile place.
On Monday night, however, all the action will be on the big screen. And if you happen to be one of the 2,000 A-listers invited to the premiere, here's a warning: Rubber-soled shoes are recommended. No narrow or high heels. The deck of the aircraft carrier is not a smooth surface.
With the USS Arizona Memorial in the background, World War II-era planes, including a P-40 Warhawk and a B-25 Mitchell bomber, arrive on the deck of the Stennis.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis lined the flight deck as the aircraft carrier steamed into the channel at Pearl Harbor.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
A crowd of mostly military personnel and dependents turned out at Aloha Aina Park at Pearl Harbor to greet the Stennis.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The green bleachers erected for the movie premiere takes up a large portion of the Stennis' flight deck.
Chopper 8 • Special to The Advertiser
