Saturday, February 4, 2017

The end of the road for the 'Big E': Legendary USS Enterprise



The end of the road for the 'Big E': Legendary USS Enterprise - the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - is decommissioned after more than 50-years of service 

  • US Navy decommissions world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier after over 50 years in service

  • The USS Enterprise was described as a 'legendary' vessel that helped shape history during a ceremony on Friday at Newport News, Virginia
  • Affectionately called the 'Big E,' the ship retired from service in 2012
  • After it deployed on its final mission in 2012, the Navy has spent the past few years defueling its reactors 
The US Navy has officially decommissioned the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
During Friday's ceremony at a Newport News shipyard, the USS Enterprise was described as a 'legendary' vessel that helped shape history. 
It served more than 50 years, playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Scroll down for video 
The aircraft carrier is seen in this 2012 file photo as it transits back to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia following its final deployment, during which it performed support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom - the military offensive in Afghanistan
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The aircraft carrier is seen in this 2012 file photo as it transits back to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia following its final deployment, during which it performed support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom - the military offensive in Afghanistan
Two F/A-18 Super Hornets fly above the USS Enterprise as it sails in the Arabian Sea in this October 4, 2012, photo
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Two F/A-18 Super Hornets fly above the USS Enterprise as it sails in the Arabian Sea in this October 4, 2012, photo
The 1,123-foot (342-metres) long Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 with eight nuclear reactors on board, and the next year was deployed to participate in a blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is seen above on October 22, 1962
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The 1,123-foot (342-metres) long Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 with eight nuclear reactors on board, and the next year was deployed to participate in a blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is seen above on October 22, 1962
In December 1965, the Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat, launching aircraft against the Viet Cong. It is seen above in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967
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In December 1965, the Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat, launching aircraft against the Viet Cong. It is seen above in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967
In total, the Enterprise made six combat deployments to Southeast Asia from 1965 to 1975. It is seen in the above photo off the coast of California on December 11, 1978
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In total, the Enterprise made six combat deployments to Southeast Asia from 1965 to 1975. It is seen in the above photo off the coast of California on December 11, 1978
The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) steams to the southern end of its operating area in the Persian Gulf the morning after the first wave of air strikes on Iraqi targets on December 17, 1998, in support of Operation Desert Fox
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The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) steams to the southern end of its operating area in the Persian Gulf the morning after the first wave of air strikes on Iraqi targets on December 17, 1998, in support of Operation Desert Fox
The USS Enterprise  served more than 50 years, playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
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The USS Enterprise  served more than 50 years, playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
The USS Enterprise is seen above as it sails on the Atlantic Ocean on October 23, 2012, while aircraft fly overhead
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The USS Enterprise is seen above as it sails on the Atlantic Ocean on October 23, 2012, while aircraft fly overhead
Following a decommissioning ceremony, two shipyard workers ride their bicycles by the the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia on Friday
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Following a decommissioning ceremony, two shipyard workers ride their bicycles by the the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia on Friday

Affectionately called the 'Big E,' the ship retired from service in 2012. The Navy has spent the past few years defueling its reactors. 
The ship will eventually be taken apart and its metal recycled.Share
One of the Enterprise's original sailors was 77-year-old Ray Godfrey of Bigfork, Montana. 
He said the ceremony was emotional for him realizing that 'she's done.'
But he said, 'We started something really good.'
Capt. Todd Beltz speaks during the decommissioning ceremony of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier
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Capt. Todd Beltz speaks during the decommissioning ceremony of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier
Sailors secure the watch for the last time on the USS Enterprise during the decommissioning ceremony on FridayPilot via AP)
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Sailors secure the watch for the last time on the USS Enterprise during the decommissioning ceremony on Friday
Sailors secure the watch for the last time on the the USS Enterprise at the end the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier
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Sailors secure the watch for the last time on the the USS Enterprise at the end the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier

KEY MISSIONS OF THE USS ENTERPRISE 

  • The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, was formally retired on Saturday at a ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia, attended by thousands of crew members who served on the ship during its five decades in the U.S. Navy fleet.
  • The 1,123-foot (342-metres) long Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 with eight nuclear reactors on board, and the next year was deployed to participate in a blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • In December 1965, the Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat, launching aircraft against the Viet Cong.
  • The ship also waded off the coast of South Korea after North Korea captured an American intelligence gathering vessel in January 1968. 
  • In total, the Enterprise made six combat deployments to Southeast Asia from 1965 to 1975.
  • Since then, it made a number of round-the-world deployments in support of various American missions and allied governments.
  • In December 1998, the Enterprise spearheaded Operation Desert Fox, launching over 300 Tomahawk missiles against targets in Iraq. 
  • The Enterprise also played a key part of the US response to the September 11, 2001, attacks, supporting numerous missions in the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Nicknamed the 'Big E,' the Enterprise was the oldest active duty ship in the US Naval fleet, according to the military, and was the eighth US military ship to bear the name Enterprise.
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