On 22 June 2023, to celebrate the enduring friendship between the United States of America and Australia, Old Boy Trevor Potter (1959) was privileged to enjoy the experience of a lifetime. Representing No 23 Squadron Association RAAF, Trevor was invited to a reception onboard the USS America. The three-hour visit included official welcoming speeches, refreshments and a rare opportunity to participate in a walk-through of the impressive ship.

With a complement of 1,200 crew, the USS America can carry over 1,700 marines. At 257 metres long and 32 metres wide, it has a displacement of 45,000 long tons. As the first of eleven America-class amphibious assault ships being built, it features enlarged hangar decks for aircraft operations rather than well decks for landing craft operations.

Trevor and other guests enjoyed viewing the ship’s bridge and the air traffic control tower, both of which were crammed with communication and navigation equipment. There was opportunity also to closely inspect some extraordinary aircraft on the flight deck, which included:

•  F-35B Lightning STOVL Multi-role Fighter Aircraft
•  MV-22B Osprey Tilt Rotor Aircraft
•  CH-53K Sea Stallion Heavy-lift Transport Helicopter
•  MH-60S Sea Hawk Multi-mission Helicopter

Trevor says: “I found the MV-22B Osprey very interesting because of its ability to perform a vertical or short take off, then transition to high-speed forward flight and then land vertically. In addition, within 90 seconds of landing, the aircraft can rotate its wings fore and aft along the top of the fuselage, fold back its propellor blades and be ready for storage below deck. By the time I left the USS America, I felt that I had a basic appreciation of how the ship operates and its role in the United States Navy. All thanks to the assistance provided by the crew onboard.”