The USS Midway’s Ready Room was an important gathering place where naval aviators prepared for missions before heading to the flight deck. Each aviation squadron had its own ready room, where pilots and aircrew received mission briefings, reviewed weather conditions, studied maps and targets, discussed flight plans, and waited for the call to launch. After returning from a mission, crews often gathered there again for debriefings and to discuss the results of their flights. More than simply a briefing room, the Ready Room was also a place where squadron members relaxed between missions, shared stories, and developed the close camaraderie essential to life aboard an aircraft carrier. Today, the restored Ready Rooms aboard the USS Midway provide visitors with an intimate look at the daily routines and experiences of the aviators who flew from the ship during its many years of service.