Free Republic

The world’s first nuclear powered aircraft carrier was moved into its birthplace dry dock at Huntington Ingalls’ Newport News Shipbuilding this weekend as part of the ongoing inactivation process. The aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was moved Saturday from Newport News’ Pier 2 to Dry Dock 11, where the super carrier was constructed over 60 years ago.

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is taking aim at the Eastern States Exposition, asking that the fair to drop a Connecticut outfit that offers elephant rides and a children’s petting zoo. ... Cassidy said he would not allow PETA to bully the Big E. “As long as Gene Cassidy is president of the Big E, young people – and old people – will have the opportunity to see these animals,” he said. Since just before Labor Day, the Big E’s offices in West Springfield have been flooded with thousands of e-mails from animal-rights supporters,...

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — When the makers of "Top Gun" were filming on board the USS Enterprise, they donated a set of black fuzzy dice to liven up the ship's otherwise drab interior. A quarter-century later, the dice will still be dangling inside the tower of "the Big E" as the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sets sail on its final voyage Sunday...

CLICK HERE TO PETITION TO NAME THE 2ND FORD CLASS CARRIER THE USS ENTERPRISECLICK HERE for the Petition to name the next Ford Class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise [Click on the small images for a larger, higher resolution image of each] The current USS Enterprise, CVN-65 will be decommissioned when CVN-78, the USS Gerald R. Ford is commissioned into the fleet. This will leave the high seas without a US aircraft carrier named Enterprise. The Big-E has been plowing the waves of the high seas for the last fifty and more years in defense of US National interests,...

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) successfully recovered and launched fixed-wing aircraft May 12 after more than two years. The “Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, landed four F/A-18F Super Hornets aboard the world’s first nuclear-powered carrier, and the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 followed shortly later with the first launch. Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, also known as the “Red Rippers,” also launched and recovered aircraft on a day long anticipated by the crew. In order to safely recover a jet there must be 16 personnel below the flight deck manning the arresting gear equipment,...

After a laborious two-year overhaul beset by delays, cost overruns and unforeseen problems, Navy officials said Monday that the military's oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is once again ready for war. The 49-year-old Enterprise, which has been docked at Northrop Grumman's Newport News shipyard since April 2008, was originally slated to return to service six months ago. That plan changed after repair crews discovered damage and decay - from rotted pipes to fried electronics - far beyond what they'd anticipated. As the list of repairs grew, so did costs, to nearly $700 million from an initial estimate of $450 million. That's...

Newport News, Va. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Sailors rescued and provided first aid to victims of an apartment complex fire in Hampton, Va., Dec. 4. Lt. Vidal Lozado; Lt. Justin Quinn; Aviation Boatswain's Mate (handler) 3rd Class (AW/SW) Andre Ford; Aviation Boatswain's Mate (equipment) 3rd Class (AW) David Ifill; Aviation Boatswain's Mate (handler) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Rory Love and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (equipment) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Christopher Gaston assisted several fire victims at the Colonial Village Apartments. Lozado says when he arrived home that evening he heard loud voices, figuring it was just the beginning of weekend festivities...

USS ENTERPRISE (NNS) -- USS Enterprise's (CVN 65) Junior Sailor Association (JSA), Enterprise First Class Association and Morale, Welfare and Recreation took the opportunity to conduct alcohol awareness training for the crew before pulling into port March 31. This was no ordinary lecture about drinking, though. Enterprise conducted an activity-filled day in Hangar Bay Two as part of the Right Spirit campaign, allowing Sailors a chance to learn, train and have fun. “Right Spirit is a program that we put together to show all Sailors how to make good decisions,” said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handler (AW/SW) 2nd Class Harrison Moorer,...