Life inside the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush – in pictures

The USNS Amelia Earhart, an American naval cargo ship, seen from the hangar of the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier on March 22, 2017 in the Arabian Gulf. The two ships are sailing in parallel, maintaining a constant speed of around 10-12 knots as the USNS Earhart supplies the USS Bush with fuel for its aircraft, as well as food and other cargo.

US naval mechanics working on a warplane in the aircraft hanger on March 21, 2017 as the carrier transits the Strait of Hormuz.

Mail and packages delivered to the USS George HW Bush on March 22, 2017.

The USS George HW Bush transiting the Mediterranean Sea on February 21, 2017 while launching strikes on ISIL targets. Courtesy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Gaither / US navy

The USNS Amelia Earhart cargo ship in the Arabian Gulf on March 22, 2017 supplying the USS George HW Bush with fuel for its aircraft.

US navy Rear Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, who heads the USS George HW Bush’s carrier strike group, is pictured in the ship’s hangar as it sails through the Strait of Hormuz on March 21, 2017.

US navy Captain Will Pennington, the commanding officer of the USS George HW Bush, in the bridge of the aircraft carrier on March 21, 2017.

The flight deck of the USS George HW Bush is pictured as the aircraft carrier transits the Arabian Gulf on March 21, 2017.

Mops are pictured on the USS George HW Bush’s ‘Vulture’s Row’ - a viewing platform from where operations on the flight deck can be observed.

US navy Yeoman Third Class Juliana Brito, 21, an administrator on board the USS George HW Bush in the ship’s hangar.

US navy Petty Officer First Class Marshall Tripp, 23, a diesel mechanic on the aircraft carrier.

A view of the USS George HW Bush’s flight deck from inside the Primary Flight Control room. The Flight Control team takes note of what goes on on the flight deck by scribbling on the windows in marker pen.

The USS George HW Bush performs a passing exercise in the Mediterranean Sea on March 5, 2017 with the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the Greek navy’s Elli-class frigate HN Kountouriotis. Courtesy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael B Zingaro / US navy

An empty Starbucks cup in the Primary Flight Control room of the USS George HW Bush on March 20, 2017. The ship has its own Starbucks counter which is manned by US naval sailors who have received barista training from the American coffee shop company.

‘Mini Boss’, the deputy head of the team manning the Primary Flight Control room.

View from inside the Primary Flight Control room. The ‘Mini’ mentioned in the drawing refers to ‘Mini Boss’, the deputy head of the team manning the room. Banter is encouraged on board the ship and plays a central role in many working relationships.

The United Nations VIP ‘suite’ aboard the USS George HW Bush. Each of the carrier’s VIP cabins are named for a different role held by its namesake; this one refers to the former president’s time as US ambassador to the United Nations.

The bookshelf in the United Nations suite aboard the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier.

US naval mechanics working on a warplane in the aircraft hanger.

A combat jet seen in the hangar of the USS George HW Bush on March 22, 2017.

The National's Laura Mackenzie travelled aboard the USS George HW Bush as it sailed from the Sea of Oman to the northern Arabian Gulf to launch air strikes on ISIL in Iraq and Syria. These photos give a small insight into daily life aboard the aircraft carrier.

All photos by Laura Mackenzie / The National unless specified