Look at the air wing in that pic. In many ways it is far superior to what we have on the decks of the carriers today. Today we have no carrier-based ASW capability, like the S-3. The A-6E was superior to the F/A-18 in all weather attack in terms of range and payload. The A-7 was superior to the F/A-18 in range and payload too. And of course the F-14 could fly circles around the F/A-18. And we had more aircraft on board back then to boot.
well i did the 89 med cruise on her and while her “official” nickname was FID (first in defense)we did regularly call her the zippo or forestfire