USS Enterprise ends last voyage

Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

USS Enterprise ends last voyage By: Associated Press November 4, 2012 03:20 PM EST

The world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ended its remarkable career at sea on Sunday when it pulled into its home port for the final time after participating in every major conflict since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

The USS Enterprise began shutting down its eight nuclear reactors almost as soon as it arrived at its pier at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, where thousands of cheering family members and friends welcomed the ship home from its 25th and final deployment after nearly eight months at sea. The ship will never move on its own power again and will eventually be scrapped in Washington state, making its final voyage a sentimental one for those who have sailed aboard “The Big E.”

Copies of the ship’s daily newspaper, “The Shuttle,” were in short supply as sailors looked for memorabilia to take with them. Countless personal photos were taken by sailors throughout the ship as it approached shore.

“It’s exceptionally emotional and exceptionally satisfying,” Rear Adm. Ted Carter, commander of the Enterprise Strike Group, said as Naval Station Norfolk came into view and his sailors manned the rails.

However, Carter is the first to say that the Enterprise’s final deployment was anything but a sentimental victory lap. The ships’ fighter planes flew more than 2,200 combat sorties and dropped 56 bombs in Afghanistan while supporting U.S. and international ground troops. In a show of force to Iran, the ship also passed through the strategic Strait of Hormuz 10 times, a figure that Carter said is more than double the typical amount.

[ArrogantBustard]

CVN-78 Gerald R. Ford and CVN-79 John F. Kennedy (WTF???) are currently under construction with acceptance into the fleet scheduled for 2015 and 2020 respectively. CVN-77 George H. W. Bush was accepted into the fleet in 2009.

Our carrier fleet currently consists of the 10 ships of the "Nimitz" class. Gerald Ford will begin a new class.

CVN-65 Enterprise was one-of-a-kind; a spectacularly successful experiment.

[Carriage Hill]

“...has happened to America and it’s electorate that has brought us to this shameful point in our history...”

Free Stuff!

[Charles Martel]

Speaking of the CVN-21 supercarrier program, I found this blurb on wikipedia:

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There are expected to be ten ships of this class.[16] To date, three have been announced:
Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) (2015): scheduled to replace Enterprise (CVN-65).
John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)[1] (2020): scheduled to replace Nimitz (CVN-68).
CVN-80 (2025): scheduled to replace Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).

The United States Navy's Public Affairs Office has requested input from the American public as to what the remaining eight ships in the class should be named. Anecdotal reports from naval officers indicate that the public favors naming the new CVN-21s after famous Navy warships of the past, mainly those of the Revolutionary War era and the famous carriers of World War II. Reportedly, Enterprise is the most favored name, followed by Saratoga, Lexington, Hornet, Wasp, and Guadalcanal. The reports also seem to indicate that the public does not want more carriers named after politicians or Presidents.[citation needed]

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Hope this is accurate info and that the Navy pays heed to it.

[ArrogantBustard]

spend naval funds on constructing newer Ford-class carriers.

[ArrogantBustard]

spend naval funds on constructing newer Ford-class carriers.

IMO, we need to pick up the pace a bit on getting the Fords to the fleet. Having only 10 carriers requires spreading fleet assets a bit too thinly.

[okie01]

As sad as it may be, better to decommission her and spend naval funds on constructing newer Ford-class carriers.

The next one, hopefully, christened Enterprise...

[aomagrat]

I had the honor of serving on the Enterprise 1983-1986, Weapons Dept, W Division. My first ship after bootcamp.

[GeronL]

good point

I guess a complete overhaul probably costs more than building a new one

[tanknetter]

I guess a complete overhaul probably costs more than building a new one

When CVN-78 was delayed by a few years the USN did a feasibility study into overhauling the Enterprise to fill in the gap (the Navy carrier fleet is set by law at 11 decks, with Enterprise leaving it'll temporarily drop to 10 until Ford is commissioned). They determined that it would cost $3 billion (which would include a refueling, which she would need) and allow her to conduct two more deployments.

Not cost effective. Unfortunately preserving her as a museum wouldn't be cost-effective either. Once she's defueled at Newport News (it'll take 3-4 years to do that) she'll be towed around South America and up to Puget Sound for scrapping. Since there won't be much in the way of hiding it, it's going to be painful to watch her get cut up in slow motion (that part will take at least another 4 years).

Hopefully some critical parts of her will be saved. Key amongst these are the five portholes in her bow auxiliary conning station and three in the CO's in-port cabin that came from the previous Enterprise (CV-6). Those NEED to find good homes somewhere, preferably in the next Enterprise. After that it's been speculated that her unique island could be removed and preserved. It would possibly seem like a weird decapitation ... but it's the most recognizable feature of the ship.

[GeronL]

bump

You are correct. Although if that island could become a house somewhere, it’d be pretty cool. lol.

[tanknetter]

Reportedly, Enterprise is the most favored name, followed by Saratoga, Lexington, Hornet, Wasp, and Guadalcanal.

Wasp is already hanging on an LHD (although one that will retire long before the final ship of the Ford class is commissioned), and Guadalcanal is more befitting of an America-class LHA.

My preference, in order, would be Enterprise, Lexington, Yorktown, Ranger, Hornet, Saratoga, Bunker Hill (for after CG-54 retires) and Intrepid. With possible substitutions of Essex, Wasp, BonHomme Richard and Midway and Coral Sea (the first three to follow the decommissioning of the LHDs currently bearing the names)

Now here's the part that really puts it all into perspective. The 10-ship Ford Class are intended to replace the Enterprise and the first nine Nimitzes (so the final Ford will replace the USS Ronald Reagan). At a build rate of one every five years and a 50-year lifespan that means the final Ford commissions in 2060 and will retire in ... 2110. 98 years from now. Of course when that happens there will probably be a flyover by flight of USAF B-52s ...

[bert]

———Although if that island could become a house somewhere-——

It would be a super cool exhibit at the Museum Of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.

May be the Enterprise Auto rental guy can save it too.

His company is named for the Enterprise and he built a major exhibit hall down there.

[mr_griz]

My squadron deployed on the Enterprise during the same period of time. We probably saw each other on the mess deck at least a couple times. Course, most black shoes didn’t care to fraternize with air wing <-:

[American Constitutionalist]

USS Enterprise the world's first nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier.

[sasportas]

No more famous name in the US Navy than Enterprise. Especially the WW2 Enterprise. Fought in virtually every naval battle in the Pacific. A hero ship America should never forget its name. I can’t believe how stupid it was to make her into razor blades, should it have survived it would be the foremost WW2 attraction. It would be a crying shame for this retiring nuke Carrier to be the last to carry that illustrious name.

[rlmorel]

I want to see another Enterprise. And a Yorktown...Intrepid, you get the idea.

I am sick of having our ships named after politicians, at least carriers.

[matginzac]

You’re welcome but honest...I had it SO easy compared to the kids who serve today. I didn’t have to deal with the PC BS, didn’t have to go to war with ROEs that put me at risk, didn’t have to deal with half the crap the kids do today.
The troopers today are REAL heroes...God bless them....

[Pollster1]

The Enterprise was a great ship from the days when even liberals respected great Americans. Today?