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USS JFK hits Hub for final port of call [Great Pictures]
Boston Herald ^ | Friday, March 2, 2007 | Joe Dwinell

Posted on 03/02/2007 5:43:53 AM PST by PajamaTruthMafia

Beloved “Big John,” the USS John F. Kennedy, is armed and ready for the thousands expected to flood the South Boston docks this weekend for a final salute to the Camelot-burnished carrier

“I don’t think there could be a more fitting place for the JFK to make a final port than the city of Boston,” said Rear Adm. H. Denby Starling II.

Starling, in charge of decommissioning the JFK, told the Herald the crew has planned hard for this pivotal weekend. They are expecting more than 60,000 visitors Saturday and Sunday.

Crowds will see level-orange security complete with metal detectors and armed Navy guards - the M-16s were in full view yesterday - along with bomb-sniffing dogs.

And if you want to pass muster, report early to avoid the rush.

“The line is going to get really long really fast,” said Cmdr. Chris Sims. He said the Navy would “cap” the line as early as noon to make sure everyone sees the ship before the 5 p.m. closing. Sims predicted lines will begin before sunrise, but nobody will be allowed on board until 8 a.m.

What you’ll see is an aircraft carrier polished and proud. The view from the flight deck puts you almost eye-to-eye with the city’s skyscrapers while jets land over the bow at Logan International Airport.

Portraits of former captains line the walls and the crew is ready to sell T-shirts and hats (at $20 each).

“This is history sitting right here!” said Janet Ellis, who flew in from Jacksonville, Fla., to meet her husband as he disembarks from the vessel.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was scheduled to swear in 300 new citizens on board today, including several members of the JFK’s crew.

“She’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of our family, and I know my brother would be very proud of the skill and courage and dedication of the sailors who have served on her so well on so many major occasions over the years,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bigjohn; ma; ussjfk
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
Yes. A full decade after nukes were in US Navy service.

But at roughly the same time as the first nuclear surface ships were being launched. It takes time to prove the concept. You also have to remember that the Enterprise, as the first of her kind, was horrendously expensive. I believe she cost almost as much as the America and the JFK combined. She has, or at least had when she was built, something like 6 or 8 separate reactors where modern carriers have only two. She was planned as a class of 6 and the remaining 5 were promptly cancelled until the Navy could the the design and costs under control. So it's not at all surprising that the JFK was conventional. That doesn't make her less effective or less successful than other carriers, just different.

61 posted on 03/02/2007 10:08:44 AM PST by Non-Sequitur (Save Fredericksburg. Support CVBT.)
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To: NavyCanDo

yeah...we also did israel on the kennedy, and went to egypt on both the kennedy and forrestal......i liked mayport better than " dogs and sailors keep off the grass " norfolk...


62 posted on 03/02/2007 10:10:01 AM PST by joe fonebone (Either grow a pair, or vacate your chair...)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

I believe Japan has finally relented to allow a nuclear carrier to be stationed there. The Kitty Hawk is scheduled to be decommissioned next year. Not sure if the Bush will take that station, or another carrier.

I think that will also drop our active carrier roster from 12 to 11. Could be wrong on that. But if the JFK is decommisioned this month, and the Kitty Hawk next year, with only the GHWB being commissioned next year, we are losing a carrier group.


63 posted on 03/02/2007 10:28:26 AM PST by Tatze (I'm in a state of taglinelessness!)
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To: Non-Sequitur
I had heard that there was only one of the Enterprise variety. Guess that's why.
64 posted on 03/02/2007 12:19:45 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: Thrownatbirth
Back then, I sailed with the USS AMERICA (CVN 78) Battle Group.

USS America was CV-66. CVN-78, USS Gerald R. Ford, has yet to be built.

65 posted on 03/02/2007 9:43:01 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: Tatze

USS George Washington will replace Kitty Hawk at Yokosuka. Kitty Hawk is tentatively scheduled to be decommissioned in 2009.


66 posted on 03/02/2007 9:55:21 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: PajamaTruthMafia
Just got back from a 4 mile run down there to scope it out.

There were motorcycle police doing leapfrog traffic control all along my route. I thought I was going to see Gov. Coupe Deval drive by in his new Cadillac, or one of our other "Do You Know Who I Am?" Libtard MA politicians.

Turns out the police were clearing the route for about 30-40 sailors on a road run, returning to the boat.

At 08:40 there was already a HUGH line waiting for the boat tour and I got a warm fuzzy when the line broke into applause as the sailors ran by.

Thinking about doing the tour later today or tomorrow, will post pictures if I make it down there.

67 posted on 03/03/2007 8:55:30 AM PST by David_G_Burnet (My other ID is in the shop)
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To: PajamaTruthMafia
Finally made it on board. The line was HUGH, about a 2-1/2 hour wait, but it was worth it (to me).

It was a balmy 34 degrees with wind chills in the teens, but all I kept thinking was that it was a walk in the park compared to what the shirts have to deal with under way during air ops (at night no less, yikes).

The most dangerous job in the world.

And they volunteer for it.

For us.

Thanks to them all.

Hangar deck jet and plaque
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Liberty. Ladies, practice your Heisman...LOL
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Captain & Officers
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Ship's bell & plaque
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Fantail & Chief
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Jet, superstructure & Boston skyline
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Jet and Naval Aviator
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Jet and some Tourist Guy
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Superstructure - vertical shot
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Air boss
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There he is again
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Superstructure - side view
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Beware of Jet Blast Propellers and Rotors
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Jet and that annoying guy again.
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Sorry, Army humor, just couldn't help myself.
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Superstructure and him again
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Bow flag & Old North Church Steeple (invisible to left side)
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Launcher
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Arresting gear
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Catapult
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Elevator ride - Weeee!
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Deployments
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"I served in the United States Navy" JFK quote.
In contrast to a certain recent Presidential wannabe who served in Vietnam and abandoned his crew after a few band aids, JFK knew what leadership was.
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Dockside
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68 posted on 03/04/2007 4:00:42 PM PST by David_G_Burnet (My other ID is in the shop)
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