I toured the USS Arlington, an active US Navy warship. Here are the photos I was allowed to take.
A journalist provides a firsthand account of touring the USS Arlington, an active US Navy amphibious transport dock, during a maritime celebration in New York City. The piece details the ship's capabilities, crew size, and the security measures involved in public tours.
Why it matters
It offers the public a rare look at active military hardware and the operational realities of the US Navy during a milestone national anniversary.
USS Arlington opened to members of the public in celebration of America's 250th birthday. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider USS Arlington, an active US Navy warship, offered tours in honor of America's 250th anniversary. My tour included the well deck, hangar bay, flight deck, and forecastle. Security was tight, and photography was off-limits in some locations. As a resident of New York City, I'm used to walking through Hell's Kitchen and seeing an enormous warship floating in the Hudson River at the Intrepid Museum . This time, however, it had company. New York City hosted what organizers billed as "the largest maritime gathering in US history " on July 4, in honor of America's 250th anniversary, with visiting naval ships from around the world opening their gangways to the public. One of the most prominent vessels featured was USS Arlington, a 684-foot-long US Navy amphibious transport dock.
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