View previous topic :: View next topic
Author	Message
Batman47 Board Founder/CNC User is Offline Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Karma: 5 applaud / smite 425 points 0 warnings 0 tempbans	Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:48 pm    Post subject: USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) - Decommissioned · Quote USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), former CVA-67 - Decommisioned–Up Dated 10 May 2009 http://www.navy.mil/local/cv67   http://www.nol.navy.mil/homepages/cv67   "Big John" Decommissioned After 38 Years of Service Story Number: NNS070324-04 Release Date: 3/24/2007 1:28:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bill Larned, USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) was decommissioned in Mayport, Fla., March 23. After a 17 gun salute, USS John F. Kennedy Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Zecchin addressed the more than 5,000 guests, former commanding officers, city officials and distinguished visitors. In his speech, he described his feelings for the ship and the legacy of its crew. “While preparing for today, I realized that serving on this ship is akin to having a relationship with a tried and true friend," Zecchin said. "Saying goodbye is a sublime melancholy.” Zecchin described the level of dedication the crew revealed. He illustrated their pride in professionalism in terms of a recent port visit to Boston, when 21 degree below zero windchills made working conditions at night unforgiving. “None of the watchstanders complained. In fact, I had to order them back inside the skin of the ship because they were so intent on getting the job done.” The ship’s commanding officer took time not just to remember the crew’s efforts, but of those backing each of them. “Nobility of purpose, service to people, devotion to a cause and a deep belief in each other is what sustains us. We could not have done it without the support of family and friends," he said. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Admiral John B. Nathman talked about the ship’s history and the deployments to the Middle East that made headlines in the 1980s, 1990s and the present decade. “You have served with honor and distinction,” Nathman said, addressing the crew. “I commend you for facing challenges head-on and for welcoming your responsibility. Feel privileged to bear your responsibility. Wear it as a mantle on your shoulders with the pride it deserves.” To recognize some of the former commanding officers of USS John F. Kennedy, Zecchin asked all who had once commanded the warship to stand. A hearty applause erupted from all of the seated guests, young and old, military personnel and civilians. The 80,000 ton warship, namesake of the 35th President of the United States, saw 18 deployments and 30 commanding officers in its 38 years of service. http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28500 John F. Kennedy was towed from NS Mayport, and taken to NS Norfolk, instead of a mothball berth at the old Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, as originally planned on 26 July 2007. The trip was expected to take about five days. John F. Kennedy arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on 31 July 2007. John F. Kennedy was towed into the Port of Philadelphia to join other decommissioned ships at the Navy Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility 22 March 2008. As of 13 December 2004: On 13 December 2004, John F. Kennedy with CVW-17 embarked arrived Mayport Naval Station, Florida, with Captain Dennis E. Fitzpatrick in command, ending her fifth Arabian Sea/Gulf (Persian Gulf) deployment in support of Summer Pulse ’04, Operation Phantom Fury (al Fajr, Arabic for “dawn) and Operation Iraqi Freedom on the US Navy’s 77th Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf deployment since September 1945 operating under operational control of the US Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet. her 23rd deployment since she was commissioned.. “On 2 June 2004, the Navy announced the simultaneous deployment of seven carrier strike groups (CSGs) to demonstrate the Navy’s ability to provide credible combat power across the globe by operating in five theaters with other U.S., allied and coalition military forces. Dubbed Summer Pulse’04, this exercise was the first of the Navy’s new Fleet Response Plan (FRP) slated to result in increased force readiness and the ability to provide combat power in response to a crisis. Along with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), the other carriers involved were USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)” (Ref. 549). John F. Kennedy battle group is composed of Carrier Air Wing 7; Carrier Group 6; Destroyer Squadron 24, consisting of the Mayport, Fla.-based ships, the strike group’s flagship, commanded by Capt. Ronald H. Henderson; the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69); the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80); the destroyer USS Spruance (DD 963); the Earle, N.J.-based fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3); the Groton, Conn.-based attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 769); and the Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.-based Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, commanded by Capt. Mark D. Guadagnini, embarked aboard John F. Kennedy. Focus on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) http://www.news.navy.mil/local/cv67 USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Story Archive http://www.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=10 USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Photo Gallery http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/67.htm Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Story Archive http://www.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=18 Current Aircraft Carrier Location http://www.gonavy.jp/CVLocation.html _________________ U. S. Navy Veteran  August 1977 to July 1983 Yoeman Second Class, with student pilot's license
Back to top
All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First

Related topics
Topics		Replies	Author	Views	Last Post
•	Announcement: Joint operations (Guidelines updated 24 May 2007)	1	Outsider	3071	Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:47 pm Outsider
•	Sticky: Military Spouses ... Feel Free To Comment :)	0	Cricket	921	Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:39 am Cricket
•	Aviation Modernization Program to Field Lakota, Modify Curre	0	Amy4Pets3	1667	Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:02 pm Amy4Pets3
•	Poland offers troops for Afghanistan from Feb 2007 (Delta)	1	Kiwi1988	1718	Thu May 17, 2007 9:28 pm Outsider
•	How Marines Feel About Their Gear	1	Outsider	593	Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:42 am afsp90_02

EQNEED  is in no way endorsed or supported by the US government Dept. Of Defense Or ANY branch of

of the United States military.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work on this message board is being distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational or criticism purposes only. Not withstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work including such use by reproduction in copies or phono records or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is NOT an infringement.