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Bush Keel Officially Laid

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030908-10

Release Date: 9/8/2003 4:00:00 PM

From Naval Media Center FSD Norfolk

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The ceremonial keel-laying of the Navy's newest Nimitz-class carrier, Pre-Commissioning Unit George H. W. Bush (PCU 77), was held Sept. 6 at Northrup Grumman Newport News shipyard. On-hand to authenticate the keel was former president and namesake George H. W. Bush.

"Part of the reason this honor is so deeply meaningful goes back to my own Navy days," said Bush, referring to his own service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. "Looking back, I love my time serving in the Navy."

The 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier will be the most advanced carrier of the class, a transitional carrier to bridge the gap between today's Navy and the next generation of aircraft carriers - CVN 21. Improvements include a modernized island house that includes a new, more integrated radar tower, navigation and communication systems upgrades and installation of transparent armor windows. Also included will be a modernized aircraft launch and recovery system, and an integrated damage control data display system, which will improve the crew's crisis response capabilities.

"When you think about the future of the Navy, and what this [carrier] represents, not only is this our transition carrier, the one that is going to continue to lead us into the future, but it's named after another Sailor, a commander in chief." said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/AW) Terry D. Scott, who also attended the ceremony. "It just represents all that is great about our country, and I cannot wait until the day our Sailors can proudly man the rails on this ship, and the day that it joins our fleet."

Saturday's ceremony served to authenticate the keel by welding a steel plate burnished with George H. W. Bush's initials to the keel. After witnessing the burnishing, Bush announced, "The keel has been truly and fairly laid."

Construction on the carrier began soon after the contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News Jan. 26, 2001. The ship's christening is scheduled for March 2006, and delivery to the fleet is planned for March 2008.

Other ceremony attendees included former First Lady Barbara Bush and the ship's sponsor Dorothy "Doro" Bush Koch, the former president's daughter. Also on hand were Virginia Sen. John Warner, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark.

While addressing the assembled audience, Clark summed up the event by saying, "CVN-77 is an investment by the American taxpayer in an uncertain world to protect the freedoms that we cherish, and the principles and values that define who we are as Americans."