Book excerpt: This report covers the history and current status of fire protection on aircraft carrier flight decks and hangar decks. Fire protection on aircraft carriers is a joint responsibility of the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Air Systems Command. The report begins with a quick orientation covering some of the significant physical characteristics of aircraft carriers that are relevant to fire protection. The fire hazardous nature of carrier operations is discussed specifically, with focus on some of the concerns relative to air launched ordnance. Next, a review of firefighting systems, including the firefighting agents currently in use, as well as the current tactics for fighting fires on the flight deck and the hangar deck, is provided. We review the history of carrier fires and emphasize some of the lessons learned, including the research and development programs that resulted from those fires. Some recent program initiatives under NAVAIR project W1819 are covered. Finally, the report covers a list of some current shortcomings and future concerns.