Pictures from San Francisco's Fleet Week 97 (10/20/97):

The highlight of the show was when the USS Abraham Lincoln steamed under the Golden Gate bridge and launched 2 F/A-18 fighters from her front catapults.

Close up detail of the two F/A-18 fighters just before launch. You can see the jet blast deflecters in the upright position just behind the two planes.

The first F/A-18 leaves the deck. You can see the steam from the catapult coming off the deck of the Lincoln.

USS Chicago makes her way into San Francisco Bay.

The High Endurance Cutter USCGC Rush, out of Alameda. These are the Coast Guard's biggest Cutters.

DD972 USS Oldendorf is a Spruance Class Destroyer. These are some of the most capable ships in the US Navy.