New US Aircraft Carrier, CVN-77 George H. W. Bush to be Christened Saturday, October 7, 2006

Northrop Grumman Construction Site ^ | Oct 2006 | Northrop Grumman/US Navy

[Jeff Head]

CVN-77 to be Christened on October 7th, 2006

From the Northrop Grumman site.

On Saturday, October 7, 2006, Northrop Grumman Newport News will christen the nation’s 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). The ship’s namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, is scheduled to attend the ceremony along with his wife Barbara and their daughter, Doro Bush Koch, Mrs. Koch also serves as the ship’s sponsor and will do the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony. Employees of Northrop Grumman Newport News and their families are invited. The general public is also invited to the ceremony. Visit the links below for additional information.

Here are some of the latest construction pictures...a beautiful site to behold:

CVN-77 nearing completion

CVN-77 props added

CVN-77 Island lift

CVN-77 ready for christening

CVN-77 another view of CVN-77 ready for christening

[Jeff Head]

The decision for the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, was made while he was still alive...that was no mistake.

[Redleg Duke]

"When does construction begin on the USS Clinton?"

They had to scrap the plans...it is against international law to dump garbage at sea...no need for an unpowered garbage scow.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

So Ole Slick doesn't get a Nimitz named for him?

He has a new line of pink torpedoes named after him, though.

[KarlInOhio]

When does construction begin on the USS Clinton?

Here's the class of ship it will be in.

[mkjessup]

I don't agree with naming ships after living Presidents. CIA Headquarters is also named after Bush 41.

Probably because Bush 41 served as Director of the CIA many moons ago.

If they were going to name CIA HQ at Langley after anybody, they ought to name it after the Reagan Administration's William Casey, the best damn director in history if you ask me.

[rhombus]

You can thank H Ross Perot and the country club RINOs for that.

Country Club RINOs? I expect THEY voted for Bush. I blame the people who didn't vote for Bush. No one made them not responsible for their own actions.

[Non-Sequitur]

There's alot of talk about reducing to 10 CSGs...that would be another downsizing mistake IMHO, particularly in light of the Chinese buildup.

Probably fewer than that. You figure that by 2008 you'll have the 10 Nimitz class plus the Enterprise. At any one time you have 2 undergoing SLEP/refueling so you'll only have 9 available at any one time.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Read my lips"?

Heheheh

[rivercat]

The decision for the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, was made while he was still alive...that was no mistake.

Naming ships after living people is something I'd expect out of North Korea or a banana-republic. President Reagan was a great American, but they should have waited until after he died to make that decision. Then he could have the next class of carriers named after him.

[Jeff Head]

...they ought to name it after the Reagan Administration's William Casey, the best damn director in history if you ask me.

Spot on! Fire for effect.

[Jeff Head]

I am talking about a total force of ten...which means you may have six or seven available at one time. As it is, with twelve, we can have eight or nine available.

A big mistake IMHO, to reduce any further. I'd rather see 14-16. With China's buildup, and the other threats we face, we should maintain as close to an unassailable edge as possible.

...and with all the hundreds of billions waisted on PC, liberal, social give aways, both domestic and foreign, we have more than enough money if we had the will.

[MeanWestTexan]

"Potential exoctic weaponry" operating off of larger nuke reactor.

I presume anti-missle lasers? Plasma?

[Jeff Head]

There are rumors of directed energy CIWS.

[Non-Sequitur]

Naming ships after living people is something I'd expect out of North Korea or a banana-republic.

It's a relatively new phenomena. The Carl Vinson was the first. Since then the Stennis, the Burke, the Nitze, the Rickover, the Carter, the Reagan and the Bush all have been named for living people. Plus the Bob Hope for the Maritime Administration. Clinton will get a carrier, too. Mark my words.

[Professional Engineer]

PING

[rbmillerjr]

I love it, the USS Reagan and USS Bush on patrol projecting force throughout the seas. Peace through strength.

I'm also looking forward to the uss clintoon pt 73-B

(my sincere apologies to pt and swift boaters)

[Jeff Head]

FYI...wish I could attend the ceremony.

[Coldwater Creek]

I surely pray that it is after our family is no longer active duty!!!!

[Jeff Head]

I hope and pray not a carrier...I really doubt it would fly. But with as many appointees and PC positions he filled...you never know.

[AIM-54]

Ironic, isn't it? Bush 41 is the one who started the big downward slide in defense spending, IIRC. For giving national defense the finger, he gets a carrier named after him I tend to agree. I'm not big on honoring mediocrity. Bush was a rather unremarkable President. I don't see how he merits having a carrier named after him. Since SSBN-627 was decommissioned several years ago, I would have pressed for the name USS James Madison to rejoin the fleet.