[TigerLikesRooster]

Well, what is Kitty Hawk's next destination? Niigata? Going up and down Japanese E. Coast until Chia Head dismantle whatever is on the launch pad now?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[G.Mason]

Ready on the right?

Ready on the left?

All ready on the firing line!

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #1

Going up and down Japanese E. N.W. Coast

[Fraxinus]

What a bit of ignorant fluff.... it will not be guarding the U.S. vessel

If I am wrong I hope that someone more expert (not that I know that much) will correct me, but I would expect the Japanese Destroyer to be in a position to guard the most valuable ship in the battlegroup, from external atttacks.

[familyop]

It is good that Japanese ships happen to be traveling to the same places as our aircraft carriers. If the enemy launches against one of our carriers, the Japanese vessels can then separately return fire against the enemy in order to defend themselves. ...see? ...no "collective" defense happening there. ;-)

[Brit1]

I rememer one of your Carrier Group Commanders saying "When we turn up in your garden pond it tends to get your attention".....outstanding!

[SE Mom]

Hmmmm...

[Turbo Pig]

We interrupt this thread for an important announcement:

Chaps my hide that the Kitty Hawk is still on active duty, and my Ranger is sitting in moth-balls. The Kitty hawk is a good ship; the Ranger was better though, and proved it time and again.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[Paperpusher]

According to officials familiar with military affairs, an aircraft carrier is exposed to "the highest risk when it enters or leaves a port" because it cannot move quickly and its aircraft cannot be used.

Why can't a carrier's planes be used in port?

[snowsislander]

Otaru? That's a nice place to visit, though it has been a few years since I was there.

Otaru is famous for its glassware.

Seafood is great in Otaru (as it is generally throughout Hokkaido):

You can also buy fresh crabs (in season only, I imagine) to be shipped anywhere in Japan.

But my guess is that it is Otaru's proximity to the site of North Korea's missile-perhaps-to-be-launched that is bringing the Kitty Hawk north, not the delights of July in Hokkaido.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

The Kitty Hawk still around? She was old when I was in 30 years ago...

[USNBandit]

Don't read too much into this. The Yokosuka battle group goes into Otaru every couple years for a goodwill port visit.

I went there in 97 and we were warned that there would be protestors. About 500 showed up, but you couldn't see them behind the 40,000 that showed up to see and tour the ship.

Sapporo is a 45 min train ride from the port and summer there is awesome. Great weather, outdoor beer gardens, very nice.