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>> Would you want to be on a ship so old that a good many of the original plank owners have died of old age?

Nimitz class carriers are designed for a service life of 60 years, with a three year overhaul after 30 years to swap reactor vessels. In 2001, the Nimitz (CVN-68), was in dry dock for its 30 year overhaul along side the Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), at the time the latest Nimitz class, being fitted out for commissioning. The last of the class, the CVN-77, has been designated the George H. W. Bush and will be commission in July.

So somebody is going to be serving on the Nimitz in 2031 when the youngest plank owner is 77. And if all goes according to plan, the grandchild of a baby born this year will be serving on the George H. W. Bush in 2073.

As a current JFK sailor, I can say this. Yes our ship has ALOT of work that needs to be done to it, yes it probably should be decommisioned first before some of the other carriers, but the truth of the matter is, money talks. I am in agreement that the main reason they're holding on to it for so long is because of the namesake. The truth is, lots of people and places LOVE the JFK. I know the city of Jacksonville loves us, they do NOT want to get rid of us. Yeah there's a rumor about us taking over the Kittyhawks homeport of Japan when they get decommissioned. The only reason for that rumor was because at the time, Japan did not want ANY nuclear powered vessels in their country. However, now Japan has reconsidered and it's very well possible that a Nuclear carrier will go there. The other place that LOVES our ship is New York. For some reason, there's a really big love between our ship and New York. I'm sure because of the namesake. As well as on Sept. 11th, the Big John was the first ship to arrive in the general area of New York launching aircraft and protecting New York after the towers fell. We have a long relationship with that city and it's one that just can't be broken. For proof, just wait for Fleet Week 2004. The Big John will more than likely be there. Now, as a sailor, I can honestly say that aside from all the political bull crap, I still love my ship. Yes it's old, yes it's rusty, dirty, and has it's problems. However, it still keeps ticking and we are literally busting our butts to keep her running. During this current ESRA, Ship force is doing WAYYY more than any other carriers ships force does during a normal ESRA. We do not get off early everyday, we work 0600-1500 every weekday, come july, it may be Monday - Saturday. We want to prove to the world that our ship is still a good ship and that we can get the job done in the time given. We are also under alot of pressure with this. It's the biggest ever ESRA performed in a ships homeport. You would be amazed at all the work that is going on. All I can say is watch out. Because come the end of September, you will see how well the JFK really is. We've done so much that it's just going to be unbelievable. We are aiming for the Battle E, we are aiming for Meritorious Unit, we are aiming for any type of award we can. Why? Because for once, there's alot of hard working SAILORS onboard one ship.