Last week, the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz spent a few days docked in Jamaican waters.

If a situation ever arose that while the carrier was on its way to Kingston Harbour, our local diplomatic service found that the USS Nimitz could not enjoy dockside facilities here, we would have to pretend that all is well and not say anything to the mighty Americans.

The 100,000-ton sea vessel is nuclear-powered, meaning that it can go to sea without the worry of refuelling. It can reach a speed of 30 knots. At sea, it is supported by other vessels in a group. Fully loaded, the carrier has every type and range of weapon on board. From ICBMs to anti-aircraft cannons, it is the ultimate fighting machine.