Remembering The USS Enterprise

USS Enterprise -- Barrett Tillman, Weekly Standard

Hail and Farewell

For the Big E, it was the beginning of the end. On March 11, 2012, USS Enterprise (CVN-65)—the world’s first nuclear aircraft carrier and the oldest active combat ship in the U.S. Navy—left Norfolk on her final deployment. She was embarking upon the end of a 51-year career, a seagoing record unmatched by any warship in American history and seldom approached elsewhere.

The Big E’s skipper is Captain William C. “Boomer” Hamilton Jr., a tall, well-spoken Alabaman who acquired his call sign after a “sonic event” when he flew F/A-18 Hornets. Hamilton assumed command in August 2011, shortly after the ship returned from an Arabian Sea deployment. That cruise was to have been the Big E’s swan song prior to decommissioning.

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My Comment: For a brief history of the USS Enterprise, check the video below.

America's Next Carrier Will Be Named USS Enterprise (CVN-80)

Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier. Wikipedia

Navy: America's Next Carrier Will Be Named Enterprise -- Pilot Online

The mammoth ship that projected American power during the tensest moment of the Cold War, and decades later launched some of the first air attacks in the war on terror, no longer is in service.

But its remarkable legacy - and its iconic name - will live on.

The Navy formally inactivated the aircraft carrier Enterprise on Saturday. A crowd estimated at 12,000 included hundreds of former crew members and dozens of original shipbuilders. They crammed onto a pier at the Norfolk Naval Station to say goodbye to the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon`s official announcement is here.

Saying Goodbye To The USS Enterprise

(Click to Enlarge)

Nuke-Powered USS Enterprise Boldly Went Where No Aircraft Carrier Went Before -- The Danger Room

There isn't another active warship on the planet with a comparable legacy. The USS Enterprise first saw action during the Cuban Missile Crisis, tasked with stopping Soviet ships from reaching Fidel Castro's shores, and on November 4, returned to its Newport, Virginia home after supporting the Afghanistan war. In between, Enterprise participated in most of the major national-security events in its five decade history. Oh, and it made history as well: the Enterprise is the first ever nuclear aircraft carrier. There's a reason Gene Rodenberry named a certain Starfleet craft after her.

All that comes to a dignified conclusion on Saturday, when the Navy formally retires the USS Enterprise after 51 years of service. "Though CVN-65 will be 'inactivated', the Enterprise fighting spirit lives on in her crew and in their families -- past and present -- and in the remarkable legacy of service this ship has rendered this nation," says Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy's top information officer. Here are some highlights from the "Big E"s years at sea.

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My Comment: Captain Kirk will not attend .... but thousands will attend, and even more in spirit.

USS Enterprise: World's First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Ends 50-Year Career At Sea

‘Big E’ Returns Home After Final Deployment -- Navy Times

NORFOLK NAVAL STATION — Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW/SS) Craig Bowman’s eight-month cruise ended at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, steps from the brow on Pier 12, where his wife Nancy ran to him with a shriek. The 36-year-old new chief’s next hugs belonged to his daughter and son.

Moments after his embrace, Gabriel, Bowman’s 10-year old son, said he was “super happy” to have his dad back.

Hugs, tears and high fives filled the packed pier as the aircraft carrier Enterprise returned home Sunday from its 25th — and final — deployment. Pride swelled as the finality of the day hit the crew.

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More News On The 'End Of The Line' For The USS Enterprise

USS Enterprise, world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, ends 50-year career at sea -- National Post/AP
Enterprise Ends 51-Year Career at Sea -- Military.com
The 'Big E' comes home for the last time -- Pilot Online
Home at last: Enterprise arrives in Norfolk -- Daily Press
World's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, retires -- Birmingham Mail

The End Of The Line For The Big 'E'

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) is nearing the end of it's 50+ year history serving America in oceans all over the world

On The Front Lines Of History: USS Enterprise On Its Last Deployment -- CNN

The U.S. Navy has had eight ships named the Enterprise. The first was commandeered from the British in the early stages of the Revolutionary War by Benedict Arnold, before the America even had a navy and before he became America's most notorious traitor.

The seventh Enterprise was an aircraft carrier and a mainstay of the Navy's war in the Pacific during World War II. Three times the Japanese Navy said it had sunk "The Grey Ghost," but the Enterprise survived and is regarded as the most decorated warship in U.S. history.

But when the eighth USS Enterprise put to sea in 1962, it already had a place in American military history.

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My Comment: There is already a move underway to name CVN-80, a yet to be built carrier, as the ninth USS Enterprise.

F-18 Flight USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Hat Tip: Theo Spark

The Big E Is On It's Last Deployment

Last Lap For Enterprise CVAN/CVN-65 -- USNI

Tomorrow, 11 March 2012, the storied USS Enterprise (CVN-65) will leave home port to ply the world’s oceans for the 22nd, and last time. As she is about to head toward Middle Eastern waters, the Associated Press published a nice piece about her, and the challenges that her crew of 4,000 face in keeping a ship that is older than most of their parents operating and ready.

Since SWMBO reminded me how expensive picture books were to print, I figured I would take advantage of this newfangled internet thing to post some pictures of the Big E, and relate some things about her 52 years in service. A good deal of these pictures will come from familiar places, such as NavSource.org, and DANFS, as well as some others included from various spots.

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More News On Enterprise CVN-65

Storied carrier, 'the Big E,' makes final voyage -- Houston Chronicle
Navy's legendary carrier USS Enterprise on final voyage -- CNN
Aging U.S. Carrier Enterprise Heads For Final Deployment -- NPR
US Navy’s First Nuclear-Powered Carrier Begins Final Deployment -- Voice of America
USS Enterprise, United States' Longest And Oldest Aircraft Carrier, Sets Sail On Final Voyage -- International Business Times
DT Photo Tribute: 50 Years of USS Enterprise -- Defense Tech
In PHOTOS: World's first aircraft carrier on last voyage -- Rediff

My Comment: The US Navy should always have a carrier called the Enterprise.