U.S. Navy Commissions its latest Carrier: USS George HW Bush, CVN-77 (genghis)

Correction: The USS Kitty Hawk is still an active hull but is due to be decommissioned on January 31st, at 10a.m. at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, Washington (state). Thanks to XBradTC and Buck Naked for the schooling. Should be a nice addition to the collection they already have there. To see the whole decommed fleet parked there, do a Google Earth search for "Bremerton, WA."

Some details (about the former president) from the Washington Times story:

”Mr. Bush, 84, is a decorated Navy pilot in World War II. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Bush, who was then 18, decided to join the Navy. After finishing his 10-month course, he became the youngest naval aviator to that date.”

“Mr. Bush flew the Avenger torpedo bomber in combat from the carrier USS San Jacinto. He nearly lost his life during an attack on enemy installations near Chichi Jima in September 1944, when his plane was hit by enemy fire and heavily damaged. Nevertheless, he completed a strafing run on the target before bailing out of the doomed craft.”

“Mr. Bush parachuted into the sea and was rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback.”

“Mr. Bush flew 58 combat missions. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals and the Presidential Unit Citation, which was awarded to his squadron based on the USS San Jacinto.”

The carrier is the 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier. The Wa Times story does manage to goober one sentence though:

”The aircraft carrier will be the 10th and final Nimitz-class sub and the ninth in the Navy's fleet.”

Finally, something to keep you occupied while you drink yourself to sleep this evening. Since carriers are now being named after former U.S. presidents, each ship tends to adopt a nickname that sorta’ relates to something or other that president uttered, his foreign policy etc. Example: The Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is nicknamed by its crew “The Big Stick.” In the comments, you’re encouraged to think of new nicknames for ships based on any president (including the future USS Obama), whether or not they have a carrier named after them already or not. Former President Carter is kind of an anomoly in that he has an attack sub named after him. Not sure what the nickname is, but it’s probably not “Peanut” or “Malaise.” Perhaps there will be prizes offered for the most creative nickname.

And for all the current and former Marines who read this ”smart military blog,” a little something for you below the fold in case you feel like the “sqids” are getting are getting all the attention today. (I have no dog in that fight…I’m Army stock).

The "Don't ask, don't tell" policy has an embedded clause in it that also forbids any member of The Village People from coming withing 1000 yards (or fathoms) of a US naval vessel.

posted by xgenghisx at 07:27 PM

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