Goodbye, "Big John"

[ASWnut101]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-a...,1272550.story

All along Atlantic Beach, residents are preparing for the departure of the Kennedy, the last conventionally powered carrier built by the United States and one of the best-known ships in the Navy. After 39 years in service and a dozen years stationed in Atlantic Beach, the Kennedy -- nicknamed "Big John" -- is being retired today in a ceremony expected to attract up to 5,000 people.

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet. Say goodbye to a legend. It's sad to see it go, but the knowledge of a newer, better CVN along the way helps ease the pain. So, fairwell, Big John! Her last voyage will be to the Philidelphia Shipyards for deactivation.

[Oberon]

Thanks for the good work Big J

[Skybird]

I don't agree much with Kennedy on many things, but I realise the importance of the effect he made on american culture. Seeing this ship going is like Star Trek without Enterprise. You yanks are in a desperate need of getting another major unit named "Kennedy".

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I don't agree much with Kennedy on many things, but I realise the importance of the effect he made on american culture. Seeing this ship going is like Star Trek without Enterprise. You yanks are in a desperate need of getting another major unit named "Kennedy".

G'bye John.

Hello Ron!

[Drebbel]

Pfew, I am so relieved. When reading the title of this thread I though the where going to scrap this BIG JOHN

[Kapitan_Phillips]

And here's me thinking of the Johnny Cash song

[Torpedo Fodder]

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet. Say goodbye to a legend. It's sad to see it go, but the knowledge of a newer, better CVN along the way helps ease the pain.

Sad yes, but her time has come: The JFK is basically a floating wreck these days thanks to inadequate maintenece over the last decade, due to budget cuts from Congress during the '90s combined with the fact that the Navy didn't want to cut maintenence to any ship with nuclear reactor, and so the brunt of the cuts went to the oil-fired carriers (except Kitty Hawk, by virtue of her being forward-deployed in Japan), so one after another the oil-fired carriers were retired and stricken since the Navy couldn't afford to maintain them. Kitty Hawk will be the last of them to go in 2009.

Had she been properly maintained, JFK could have lasted till 2018.

[Bort]

Originally Posted by Torpedo Fodder

Sad yes, but her time has come: The JFK is basically a floating wreck these days thanks to inadequate maintenece over the last decade, due to budget cuts from Congress during the '90s combined with the fact that the Navy didn't want to cut maintenence to any ship with nuclear reactor, and so the brunt of the cuts went to the oil-fired carriers (except Kitty Hawk, by virtue of her being forward-deployed in Japan), so one after another the oil-fired carriers were retired and stricken since the Navy couldn't afford to maintain them. Kitty Hawk will be the last of them to go in 2009.

Had she been properly maintained, JFK could have lasted till 2018.

She was supposed to last until 2018, in fact half of a SLEP had already been completed pierside in Mayport, and the other half, deep overhaul in a Norfolk drydock, was supposed to begin last year when the DoD canceled it. What a waste of money! The JFK was a very capable and advanced design, quite a bit younger than Enterprise, and would have adverted the diplomatic firestorm that basing a nuclear powered carrier in Japan will soon cause. Another great decision compliments of Rumsfeld & Co.