The Retired USS Enterprise Is Being Used For Spare Parts To Keep Other Aircraft Carriers Operational

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) underway in the Atlantic Ocean. Wikipedia

Warzone/The Drive: Parts From The Retired USS Enterprise Are Keeping Her Successors Ready For Combat

Anchors, catapult parts, and steel from the world's first nuclear aircraft carrier are already on other flattops or will go into future ones.

It may take more than 15 years for workers to completely scrap the now-decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, but the Navy is already recycling parts and raw materials from the ship. Components from "Big E" are already on certain Nimitz-class carriers and more could find their way onto new Ford-class carriers, including a future flattop that will also carry the name Enterprise.

Defense One's Marcus Weisgerber and Brad Peniston got the details on how the former Enterprise will continue serving the Navy during a visit to Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia on May 1, 2019. The one-of-a-kind ship, the first ever nuclear aircraft carrier anywhere in the world, has been at the shipyard since 2013. The flattop had first entered service in 1961 and the Navy finally decommissioned her officially in 2017.

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WNU Editor: The USS Enterprise lives on, albeit as parts on other aircraft carriers.

Cost To Dismantle USS Enterprise Set To Top $1 BILLION If Congress Doesn't Take Action

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) underway in the Atlantic Ocean. Wikipedia

Daily Mail: Cost to dismantle USS Enterprise set to top $1 BILLION if Congress doesn't take action, warns watchdog agency

* GAO issued a report on Thursday warning of costs to dismantle USS Enterprise
* Enterprise was Navy's first nuclear aircraft carrier and cost $3.93 billion to build
* Ship was commissioned in 1961 and decommissioned last year for dismantling
* Conflicting nuclear regulators could drive price to scrap up without oversight

The cost to dismantle the USS Enterprise will top $1 billion without Congressional action on the matter, a new report warns.

The Government Accountability Office issued the report on Thursday, saying Congressional oversight is needed to resolve conflicting nuclear regulatory jurisdiction in the matter.

The Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Enterprise was commissioned in 1961, and built at a cost of $3.9 billion, in current dollars.

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WNU Editor: $1 billion !?!?!?!?!

Is The USS Enterprise (CV-6) The Best Navy Ship Ever?

USS Enterprise (CV-6) in Puget Sound, September 1945. Wikipedia

Robert Farley, Business Insider: Why USS Enterprise Is The Best U.S. Navy Ship Ever

In May 1938, the U.S. Navy commissioned the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the seventh ship to bear the name in American service. The second of three sisters, Enterprise made a central—perhaps the central—contribution to the war effort in 1942. The U.S. Navy began 1942 with six fleet carriers (excluding the small Ranger, which served in the Atlantic). Over the course of the year, Japanese aircraft and submarines would sink four of those carriers and put a fifth (USS Saratoga) out of action for long periods of time. Enterprise fought with distinction in most of the major battles of 1942, and survived to contribute for the rest of the war.

In short, USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the finest ship ever to serve in the U.S. Navy.

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WNU Editor: She was engaged in numerous naval battles and she survived the war .... that in itself is quite an accomplishment.

The US Navy Decommissions The USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

Engadget: US Navy decommissions the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

The USS Enterprise made history both through its service and its technology.

It's the end of an era for the US sea power, in more ways than one: the Navy has decommissioned the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The vessel launched in 1961 and is mainly known for playing a pivotal role in several major incidents and conflicts, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and the 2003 Iraq War. However, it also served as the quintessential showcase for what nuclear ships could do. Its eight reactors let it run for years at a time, all the while making more room for the aircraft and their fuel.

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WNU Editor: This is interesting .... These Are the 5 Best Aircraft Carriers in Naval History (James Holmes, National Interest)

More News On The US Navy Decommissioning The USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

Navy decommissions USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, 'The Big E' -- UPI
Navy Decommissions USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier -- Washington Free Beacon
End of an era: aircraft carrier Enterprise decommissioned -- Daily Press
Why America's First 'Super' Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Was a Game Changer -- Kyle Mizokami, National Interest
USS Enterprise: A timeline of the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier -- Virginia Pilot

Remembering The USS Enterprise

USS Enterprise -- Barrett Tillman, Weekly Standard

Hail and Farewell

For the Big E, it was the beginning of the end. On March 11, 2012, USS Enterprise (CVN-65)—the world’s first nuclear aircraft carrier and the oldest active combat ship in the U.S. Navy—left Norfolk on her final deployment. She was embarking upon the end of a 51-year career, a seagoing record unmatched by any warship in American history and seldom approached elsewhere.

The Big E’s skipper is Captain William C. “Boomer” Hamilton Jr., a tall, well-spoken Alabaman who acquired his call sign after a “sonic event” when he flew F/A-18 Hornets. Hamilton assumed command in August 2011, shortly after the ship returned from an Arabian Sea deployment. That cruise was to have been the Big E’s swan song prior to decommissioning.

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My Comment: For a brief history of the USS Enterprise, check the video below.

America's Next Carrier Will Be Named USS Enterprise (CVN-80)

Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier. Wikipedia

Navy: America's Next Carrier Will Be Named Enterprise -- Pilot Online

The mammoth ship that projected American power during the tensest moment of the Cold War, and decades later launched some of the first air attacks in the war on terror, no longer is in service.

But its remarkable legacy - and its iconic name - will live on.

The Navy formally inactivated the aircraft carrier Enterprise on Saturday. A crowd estimated at 12,000 included hundreds of former crew members and dozens of original shipbuilders. They crammed onto a pier at the Norfolk Naval Station to say goodbye to the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon`s official announcement is here.

Saying Goodbye To The USS Enterprise

(Click to Enlarge)

Nuke-Powered USS Enterprise Boldly Went Where No Aircraft Carrier Went Before -- The Danger Room

There isn't another active warship on the planet with a comparable legacy. The USS Enterprise first saw action during the Cuban Missile Crisis, tasked with stopping Soviet ships from reaching Fidel Castro's shores, and on November 4, returned to its Newport, Virginia home after supporting the Afghanistan war. In between, Enterprise participated in most of the major national-security events in its five decade history. Oh, and it made history as well: the Enterprise is the first ever nuclear aircraft carrier. There's a reason Gene Rodenberry named a certain Starfleet craft after her.

All that comes to a dignified conclusion on Saturday, when the Navy formally retires the USS Enterprise after 51 years of service. "Though CVN-65 will be 'inactivated', the Enterprise fighting spirit lives on in her crew and in their families -- past and present -- and in the remarkable legacy of service this ship has rendered this nation," says Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy's top information officer. Here are some highlights from the "Big E"s years at sea.

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My Comment: Captain Kirk will not attend .... but thousands will attend, and even more in spirit.

USS Enterprise: World's First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Ends 50-Year Career At Sea

‘Big E’ Returns Home After Final Deployment -- Navy Times

NORFOLK NAVAL STATION — Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW/SS) Craig Bowman’s eight-month cruise ended at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, steps from the brow on Pier 12, where his wife Nancy ran to him with a shriek. The 36-year-old new chief’s next hugs belonged to his daughter and son.

Moments after his embrace, Gabriel, Bowman’s 10-year old son, said he was “super happy” to have his dad back.

Hugs, tears and high fives filled the packed pier as the aircraft carrier Enterprise returned home Sunday from its 25th — and final — deployment. Pride swelled as the finality of the day hit the crew.

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More News On The 'End Of The Line' For The USS Enterprise

USS Enterprise, world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, ends 50-year career at sea -- National Post/AP
Enterprise Ends 51-Year Career at Sea -- Military.com
The 'Big E' comes home for the last time -- Pilot Online
Home at last: Enterprise arrives in Norfolk -- Daily Press
World's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, retires -- Birmingham Mail

The End Of The Line For The Big 'E'

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) is nearing the end of it's 50+ year history serving America in oceans all over the world

On The Front Lines Of History: USS Enterprise On Its Last Deployment -- CNN

The U.S. Navy has had eight ships named the Enterprise. The first was commandeered from the British in the early stages of the Revolutionary War by Benedict Arnold, before the America even had a navy and before he became America's most notorious traitor.

The seventh Enterprise was an aircraft carrier and a mainstay of the Navy's war in the Pacific during World War II. Three times the Japanese Navy said it had sunk "The Grey Ghost," but the Enterprise survived and is regarded as the most decorated warship in U.S. history.

But when the eighth USS Enterprise put to sea in 1962, it already had a place in American military history.

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My Comment: There is already a move underway to name CVN-80, a yet to be built carrier, as the ninth USS Enterprise.

F-18 Flight USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Hat Tip: Theo Spark

The Big E Is On It's Last Deployment

Last Lap For Enterprise CVAN/CVN-65 -- USNI

Tomorrow, 11 March 2012, the storied USS Enterprise (CVN-65) will leave home port to ply the world’s oceans for the 22nd, and last time. As she is about to head toward Middle Eastern waters, the Associated Press published a nice piece about her, and the challenges that her crew of 4,000 face in keeping a ship that is older than most of their parents operating and ready.

Since SWMBO reminded me how expensive picture books were to print, I figured I would take advantage of this newfangled internet thing to post some pictures of the Big E, and relate some things about her 52 years in service. A good deal of these pictures will come from familiar places, such as NavSource.org, and DANFS, as well as some others included from various spots.

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More News On Enterprise CVN-65

Storied carrier, 'the Big E,' makes final voyage -- Houston Chronicle
Navy's legendary carrier USS Enterprise on final voyage -- CNN
Aging U.S. Carrier Enterprise Heads For Final Deployment -- NPR
US Navy’s First Nuclear-Powered Carrier Begins Final Deployment -- Voice of America
USS Enterprise, United States' Longest And Oldest Aircraft Carrier, Sets Sail On Final Voyage -- International Business Times
DT Photo Tribute: 50 Years of USS Enterprise -- Defense Tech
In PHOTOS: World's first aircraft carrier on last voyage -- Rediff

My Comment: The US Navy should always have a carrier called the Enterprise.

USS Enterprise Prepares For It's Final Deployment

USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

Drills Prepare Enterprise For Final Deployment -- Military Times

ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE — Capt. William Hamilton stands on the footrest of his chair on the bridge, looking through a window and down at the flight deck below. A mechanical pencil, a notebook and an iPod Touch with a stopwatch program are all within arm’s reach.

The skipper is trying to prove his ship can quickly launch and recover airplanes, one of the requirements to certify the Navy’s oldest carrier as ready for its 22nd and final deployment.

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My Comment: She will be missed.

The USS Enterprise Turns 50

The USS Enterprise was commissioned 50 years ago. (U.S. Navy photo)

USS Enterprise, The Carrier That Changed Everything, Turns 50 -- Stars and Stripes

NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia -- Nine days after he turned 18, Robert "Bobby" Hawk, stepped out of his father's 1951 Chevrolet on a humid, overcast Tuesday morning and began the walk from downtown Newport News to the James River waterfront.

Before Hawk entered the gates of the Newport News shipyard on Aug. 1, 1961, his father turned to him and offered only four words: "Don't let me down."

"That's all he had to say," Hawk said. "My daddy didn't play no games."

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More News On The USS Enterprise

USS Enterprise, the carrier that changed everything, turns 50 -- Daily Press
USS Enterprise turns 50 -- FOX
Amid Debate on Military Spending, a Carrier Marks 50 Years -- Wall Street Journal
USS Enterprise: Nuclear power meets aircraft carrier (photos) -- CNET
The Evolution Of The Enterprise: From The Revolutionary War To Star Trek -- Gizmodo

50 Years of USS Enterprise (Photo Gallery)

USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

DT Photo Tribute: 50 Years of USS Enterprise -- Defense Tech

DT wishes a happy birthday to the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. She was commissioned 50 years ago this month and despite being the only ship of her class built, paved the way for the very successful Nimitz class nuclear carriers. In addition to her eight nuclear reactors, the Enterprise was equipped with an early version of another weapon system that would one day become a hallmark of the U.S. Navy; the massive SCANFAR phased array radars that led to the development of the powerful Aegis radar system now used on all U.S. cruisers and destroyers. The Big E’s eight reactors would be replaced by two far more powerful and efficient reactors in the Nimitz class ships and he SCANFAR radars had plenty of problems. Still, she taught valuable lessons about both of these technologies and served as a springboard for serious technological leaps. Oh yeah, and she’s seen plenty of combat.

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My Comment: I was a year old when she was commissioned .... wow .... amazing .... she has served honorably for half a century. Talk about seeing and participating in history (cough cough ... the ship that is, not me).