Ensuring maritime supremacy

Placed on a mock flight deck, the USS Forrestal model will be the centerpiece of an exhibit focusing on life on an aircraft carrier and the importance of teamwork.

The Cold War pitted a maritime alliance against a land-based empire and the U.S. developed a comprehensive naval strategy to contain Communist expansion and permit free trade on the high seas. Our European allies, as well as Japan, Australia, and other nations were important partners in this struggle.

Visitors to the Cold War Gallery will learn that maintaining superiority over the Soviets meant going to sea with increasingly sophisticated ships and aircraft. Exhibits showing how aircraft carrier battle groups became core elements of the American maritime strategy will be included. The Gallery will also open a window on a very different front: the dangerous acts of intrigue and espionage - on both sides - that fueled the conflict.

The public will learn about the roles, missions, and capabilities of the Navy's frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and amphibious "Gator" squadrons in providing defensive and offensive firepower. Rounding out the story will be information and artifacts detailing the vital oilers, ammo ships, store ships, and other vessels that enabled our fleet to stay at sea for weeks at a time.