By 1982, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) was a proven carrier with her early deployments behind her. The 1982 Mediterranean cruise came as the Reagan administration's military buildup was accelerating — new ships, new aircraft, and a renewed strategic assertiveness after the uncertainties of the late 1970s. Operations in the Med during this period included regular exercises with NATO allies, freedom of navigation operations, and sustained training for the kind of combat air operations the carrier air wing was built to execute. The crew of Ike was part of the generation of Navy professionals who rebuilt American naval readiness in the early 1980s.

• 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Air-jet spun yarn for a softer feel
• Double-needle stitching throughout