Inside the world's largest aircraft carrier

It weighs over 100,000 tonnes, is nearly as long as the 102-storey Empire State Building in Manhattan and serves 18,150 meals a day to over 3,200 sailors and 2,480 airmen. Welcome to the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Nicknamed the 'Big Stick', the Nimitz Class supercarrier has a a 4.5 acre flight deck serving its 60 war planes and leads a strike group that comprises five ships.

The ultimate symbol of American naval might, USS Theodore Roosevelt is currently on an eight-month deployment during which it is expected to relieve the USS Carl Vinson strike group that has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

Here's a glimpse of what it's like to be inside the USS Theodore Roosevelt:

Image: An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the Dragonslayers of Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11, hovers over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Photograph: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katie Lash/US Navy

Image: An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 106, prepares to take off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Photograph: Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Recruit Alex Millar/US Navy

Image: Culinary Specialist Seaman Christopher Miller marinates ribs for dinner aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Photograph: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heath Zeigler/US Navy

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Inside the world's largest aircraft carrier