The mighty USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, began its deactivation Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 at Norfolk naval base in Virginia. These images mark the ship’s crew disembarking the ship for the last time.
Although formal decommissioning won’t take place until 2016 — after the ship’s eight nuclear reactors are inactivated — the ENTERPRISE will never again go to sea under her own power.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, in a video played towards the end of the ceremony, announced that CVN 80, third ship of the new GERALD R. FORD-class carriers, will be named ENTERPRISE, thus becoming the ninth American naval ship to bear the name.
Under current construction schedules, the new ENTERPRISE won’t enter service until 2025, replacing the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). See the bottom of this post for a peek at what’s to come.
The audience starts to take their seats as the deactivation ceremony gets set to begin on Pier 12 at the Norfolk naval base. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Zachary S. Welch)
Four F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighters perform a ceremonial flyover of the Big E. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Nick C. Scott)
On the fringes of the audience, the crowd watches a large video screen at left. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2(SW/AW) Nick C. Scott)
A cloudless sky provided perfect weather for the outdoor ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Nick C. Scott)
Commissioned on Nov. 25, 1961, the ENTERPRISE was the longest-serving active ship in the Navy. In the background, the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) is preparing to cross Hampton Roads to Newport News Shipbuilding, where early next year she will begin a three-year refueling overhaul, intended to add another quarter century to the ship's life. The Navy intends its aircraft carriers to serve at least for 50 years. At left, behind the LINCOLN, is the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). Earlier, the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77), the newest U.S. carrier, passed by en route to sea. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Alex Forster)
Hours before the Big E's deactivation ceremony, the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) passed by, en route to sea following an overhaul period. The BUSH had been berthed next door when the ENTERPRISE left Norfolk on March 11, 2012, to begin her last deployment. (U.S. Navy photo)
Signal flags on the BUSH spell out "BZ Big E" -- meaning Bravo Zulu (Navyspeak for Well Done) ENTERPRISE -- as she passes by on the morning of Dec. 1. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Joshua D. Sheppard)
Here’s a pretty neat chart put out by Huntington Ingalls Industries to celebrate the career of the Big E. HII is today’s corporate parent of Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., where the ENTERPRISE was built.
And the Navy put out this handy compilation of notable statistics:
… and THE FUTURE . . .
A graphic showing what the future USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 80) is expected to look like when she joins the fleet after 2025. The aircraft are F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters, F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet strike fighters, E-2D Hawkeye electronic warfare planes, and an unmanned strike jet modeled on the X-47B sitting on the No. 4 catapult. (U.S. Navy)
David Merritt
I hope they don’t scrap her
The Enterprise should be a show peace for all the world to see.
But then again we might have another Enterprise!
This time not Nuclear but Warp Engine! :)
Gus Braidotti
Australia should buy her !!
Buffalo Bob Hasenoehrl
I served 3 years aboard the Big E starting in april of 1962 in v-3 then in v-6 division. I was only 17 years old at the time. I have a lot of good memories aboard her. Two med cruses and one world cruse. I became a golden shell back crossing the 0 longetude and 0 latitued lines and became a 3rd class petty officer whyll serving aboard her. It is a shame this great ship could not be saved so people could see her in the future and what a great ship she was. I am very proud of her. But I understand the cost that It would have taken to due this. I just want to say good by to her and thank you for all the great memories.
Bob Hasenoehrl
Buffalo NY
Kathryn
Bob,
My father was a plank owner and he too was a golden shellback and a golden dragon. His name is Martin Lewis and sadly he lost his fight with cancer in 1992. Through his passing, I am the proud owner of a few of his certificates. I was just wondering if you might have known him.
Dennis Kirsch
I was assigned to the commissioning crew in 1961 as a Reactor Operator, Reactor Control Division, Reactor Department. She was a great ship. I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to serve on her.
Ron Reeves
Dennis: I’m a Plankie of Kitty Hawk. We are 8 months and some days older. My question is this: While you were aboard, did you buy and money orders in ships post office, and maybe saved the stubs that have a round postmark on them? If so, I’d like to get one or two of them, as I collect her postal history, and I’m not sure if I have any because the earliest one I know is from 1966, and I think PCC Glenn did not give it out to collectors. And it was not used upon Commissioning. My email is pnsy17shop(at)comcast.net. Thanks, Shipmate…
Troy Mills
Dennis,
Hello from a fellow, Big E nuke reactor operator. I arrived on the Big E on her 21st birthday in November 1982 while she was anchored off Mombasa, Kenya. I had the opportunity to attend the inactivation ceremony this past weekend. It was very nice.
Regards,
Troy
The Saga Continues… | The Daily Dave!
[...] as CVN-65 was retired, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the new carrier’s name. It is altogether fitting and proper that the United State Navy will once again have a USS [...]
AA Cunningham
“A graphic showing what the future USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 80) is expected to look like when she joins the fleet after 2025.”
I certainly expect that the numbers painted onto the flightdeck of the actual CVN-80 won’t be backwards as they are in this graphic.
Marshall Bell
Maybe they’re starting over with the hull numbers and they meant it as CVN08
Michael Wetzlich, IS1(SW) Ret.
Good Catch!
Doug
Thanks for sharing guys and thanks for you service. Too bad they couldn’t save on to her for a museum ship.
Phil Gardocki
Thank you Ray Mabus for acknowledging that, as silly as it sounds, the USA needs an “Enterprise”. She was there when we needed her and she’ll be there when we need her again.
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R Troy
I’ve read that to take the 8 reactors out of E would leave the ship a huge mess, not fit to be a museum. But this is a great ship never to be forgotten!
Gary Duffin
I came aboard the Big “E” in ’75. In fact I was flown on to the ship as she sailed in the red china he sea. I say only one West PAC. However what a time it was! we evacuated South VietNam. We powered up the island of Mauritius while a CB Battalion rebuilt the infrastructure.
Ron Reeves
Howdy Buffalo Bob !!! Please see Dennis Kirsh’s message from me, and if you can help me, I’d appreciate it. Those stubs were blue, and about 2″ wide attached to the Money order, and thst was your receipt that was stamped with ships round postmark… Thanks. HTC (ret.)
Cecil Elliott
Regarding the wish that Enterprise could be kept as a museum ship, that would have to be considered impossible. In order for this feat to be accomplished, her engineering spaces would have to remain intact, including her reactors. With the hazard of low-level ionizing radiation, the Navy would have to assign a caretaker crew, the same they would do with Nautilus. I hate to say it, upon her formal decommissioning in 2016, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65), will be entering the Nuclear Ship & Submarine Recycling Program. There is a possibility, the Island will be preseved.
Despite the speculation & the petition drives, the timing of the announcement from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, could not have come at better time. As a veteran of the United States Navy, I’m glad – the history, the tradition & the legacy of the ships bearing the name of ENTERPRISE, will continue.
John De Brabander
Being not an American citizen it’s sad to see the Big E go, a shame money had to be more important then preserving her for heritage. And to close off from a line from Star Trek:
‘Let’s make sure history never forgets the name Enterprise’
Anthony Lato
I sure hate to see a piece of history cut up for scrap. The Big “E” is one heck of a ship. I was at the forward and astern throttles when we put her through sea acceptance trails and was amazed at what she could do. Enlisted June 58 in the Nuclear Power program and was transferred to National Reactor Testing Station Idaho Falls Idaho early 59. We were the 8th class to attend. We performed much of the testing and procedures for operating the reactor and engine room. Was transferred to the ship at the yard In 61. We got back from Gitmo trails and the next day the ship left for Cuban crisis. I had taken emergency leave and saw the ship leaving as I was going into the Hampton Roads Tunnel to Newport News. Even though we conplained about the hard work, long hours of training, drills and being away from our families I am proud I contributed my part in making history with the Big” E’.
Albert Hagovsky
In the late 1950′s my family visited friends in Hampton Roads. I was about 13 years old. Our friend took me and my brother to the shipyard and showed us an almost empty construction site. He told us that we were looking at the keel plate of the first nuclear aircraft carrier. He was a civilian engineer and was designing the exhaust systems for the USS Enterprise. She was an historic ship and should be a museum somewhere.
David P Carden IC3
Spent nearly 8 yrs on board, most memorable times were there. Sept 10,1983-sept 27, 1990
I do hope they put her in a museum. A lot of history is aboard her, even more memories. The filming of
‘Top Gun’ in 1986- off the coast of San Diego, Ca. Just before we lowered Bishop Rock by 60 +
Thomas Cox
I, too, served aboard the Big E from Oct. ’78 thru May ’83 in the Air Dept. V-4 Division. I have many fond memories of serving on her, and even some not so fond memories. She served with distinction, honor, and pride and will be missed. Let’s hope the next Big E can carry on the name with pride.
David R Cords
I served on in 1967-69 in A-8 Div Under Chief PO Charles Knapp III, I would to like to thank the ships captain, Capt Hallaway, Capt Lee, and my crew, for the great memories, and the fun we had aboard her. She was definitely an island in a great vast ocean. I mainly worked in the steam heat A/C div. My watch was manning the #1 fire pump station, all GQ, roaming work place. When I was needed for heat or A/C , post mainly at flight ops keeping the communication cool in the dome. Thank each and every one for your service and may Big E’s legacy live on. God Bless you all. Post Commander David R Cords 4063 , Perry, Mich.