Free Republic

MAYPORT, Fla. ? Sailors in blue lined the deck of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy on Friday as guns boomed to commemorate the decommissioning of "Big John" after nearly 40 years of service. Officers gathered in front of a screen displaying a large American flag, and speakers echoed the words of the carrier's namesake, including the famed line from President Kennedy's 1961 inauguration: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is suggesting NATO take over the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier, which the U.S. Navy and the Bush administration want to retire early for budget reasons.

Carrier’s run-in with dhow raises red flags Officials seek answers after ship struck, sank small boat BY MATTHEW DOLAN THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT     How could a small boat designed for fishing in the Persian Gulf get so close to a multibilliondollar American carrier equipped with state-ofthe-art radar and armed with its own air force?     That’s the question Navy investigators are still asking after the carrier John F. Kennedy struck and sank the mysterious boat in the Persian Gulf on July 22.     No survivors or remains from the small boat, known as a dhow, have been recovered. The crew of the Mayport, Fla.-based...

Story Number: NNS040311-10 Release Date: 3/12/2004 10:02:00 AM From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) will make a four-day port visit to Pensacola, Fla., starting March 17. The ship will be open to the public for general visiting. “Pensacola is a great Navy city that, over the years, has been central to naval training. We are extremely pleased to be able to have the JFK visit Pensacola,” said Vice Adm. Gary Roughead, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic. The arrival of John F. Kennedy, commanded by...

Story Number: NNS040305-01 Release Date: 3/5/2004 9:40:00 AM From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are in the midst of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The exercise, which began Feb. 21, is scheduled to run through mid-March, and will use the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville, Fla., operating areas and training ranges along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of Florida. Additionally, the exercise will involve complex strike group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground events. COMPTUEX is...