By Tom Gagnier
Navy mass communication specialist first class

Simply put, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela Davis lives on a floating airport that measures nearly 1,100 feet in length, weighs more than 100,000 tons and has a flight deck that is 252 feet wide. Two nuclear reactors can push the ship through the water at more than 35 mph.

A 2014 graduate of Beech Grove High School, Davis serves in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

A master-at-arms, Davis is responsible for the safety and security of the ship and the crew.
“We travel a lot and have visited several countries,” she said. “The ship is so big, you meet a lot of different people.” 
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Powerful catapults slingshot the aircraft off the bow of the ship. The planes land aboard the carrier by snagging a steel cable with an arresting hook that protrudes from the rear of the aircraft. 

As a sailor with numerous responsibilities, Davis learns about life at sea serving in the Navy and the importance of taking personal responsibility while leading others while still using lessons learned from their hometown.  

“My parents taught me respect,” she said. “Even if you think you’re right about something, be respectful.”
 
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard the carrier. Approximately 3,200 men and women keep all parts of the aircraft carrier running smoothly – including everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the nuclear reactors. Another 2,500 men and women form the air wing, which is responsible for flying and maintaining more than 70 aircraft aboard the ship. 

When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea.

All of this makes the George H.W. Bush a self-contained mobile airport and strike platform, and often the first response to a global crisis because of a carrier’s ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

“I earned three warfare qualifications at this command,” said Davis. “I have tougher skin from taking on challenging assignments,  and I’m able to work more efficiently, with better focus since joining the Navy.”

What’s better than owning a salon? 
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Owning a salon without the risks. 
And that’s exactly what Salons of Greenwood does for its stylists. 

One step inside Salons of Greenwood and beauty professionals feel at home. From the large, lockable first-floor suites with storage space and windows that can be opened for fresh air to the high-quality furnishings in each salon, there really isn’t a comparable option in the area.

Salons of Greenwood offers affordable weekly rental rates and handles the part of owning a salon that most stylists have no desire to be involved in – building maintenance and cleaning – which leaves the artists to do what they do best: make the world a more beautiful place.

Owner Jim Sapp started Salons of Castleton, a sister location on the Northside, nearly six years ago and has found that the business benefits stylists tremendously. 

“Most of our tenants aren’t used to such large spaces with so many amenities,” he said. “Their clients are impressed with the space, and the stylists love being able to set their hours, prices and product offerings.”

Desiree Spears, one of Sapp’s Greenwood tenants, continually hears how her customers love her new salon. “They tell me it’s nice and inviting,” she said. 
 
The other unique benefit offered to the stylists is marketing support. From social media to search engine optimization, Salons of Greenwood works to help stylists get found online, a crucial part of growing any business in today’s technological climate. More information is available by calling or texting Adam at 317-935-0068.