Floating in the middle of the sea , the first thing we noticed was the vast expanse of tarmac , roughly the size of three soccer fields . And then we heard the loud blasting sound of fighter jets preparing to take off . This was one of the world 's most powerful warships , the Nimitz-class 'super carrier ' USS George Washington , which the CNN crew and members of other media organizations were granted a rare opportunity to visit this weekend . After climbing up the equivalent of an eight-story building , staircase after staircase , one narrow hallway after another , we finally arrived at the `` bridge , '' an elevated tower containing the command control center on the aircraft carrier . The U.S. nuclear-powered carrier was in the waters off the Korean peninsula for a routine patrol mission , which followed a trilateral `` search and rescue '' drill between the U.S. , South Korea and Japan . The drill drew harsh rhetoric from North Korea earlier last week , warning the U.S. of a `` horrible disaster '' and claimed that its troops are on high alert to promptly cope with `` blatant provocations . '' Standing on the flight deck of the USS George Washington , I realized North Korea probably had good reason to be on edge . The USS George Washington can carry about 80 aircraft , launch tactical fighter jets towards any location and is equipped with various types of missiles . Known as a `` floating military base '' , it can also accommodate more than 6,000 crew , serve 18,000 meals per day and even has live broadcast television on the vessel . Back on the bridge , we saw fighter jets take off one after another at an impressive pace . This , I was told , was the work of a deck catapult , which slings the fighter jet forward , generating enormous speed . We experienced just that . Ending the tour , we strapped ourselves into a propeller-powered , windowless plane . After a roaring sound , the plane took off at an enormous speed , faster than any roller coaster ride I had been on . Training to go supersonic with South Korea 's Top Guns . CNN reporter learns to fly supersonic .
Rare visit to USS George Washington , one of world 's most powerful warships . Aircraft carrier in waters off Korean peninsula for a routine `` patrol mission '' It is home to up 6,000 crew and 18,000 meals are served a day .