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Kitty Hawk Celebrates 45 Years of Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060523-09
Release Date: 5/23/2006 7:03:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Christopher Koons, USS Kitty Hawk Strike Group Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Commissioned on April 29, 1961, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), the Navy’s oldest active-duty warship, celebrated its 45th birthday one day early during a command picnic held April 28 at the Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka recreation area.

Kitty Hawk, which was commissioned at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, has seen its share of combat over the years, including action in Vietnam, the Balkans, Afghanistan and both Persian Gulf wars.

“Kitty Hawk has served in many great battles,” said Kitty Hawk Command Master Chief (SW) Ashley Smith. “It launched the first strikes in Operation Iraqi Freedom and has been the first line of defense in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility since 1998.”

According to Smith, the dedication of Kitty Hawk’s junior Sailors to keeping their ship in fighting condition is the main reason for the ship’s continued success.

“Kitty Hawk is in better shape, is more modern, and is better prepared to go into battle than when it first set,” said Smith. “It’s been modernized and upgraded throughout the years, and we’re better prepared to fight now than we’ve ever been.”

In particular, Smith praised the crew for their performances while Kitty Hawk has been in a ship’s restricted availability (SRA), like the one it is currently undergoing.

“Every time we are in an SRA, we have to shuffle things around, and the crew always rises to the occasion,” he said.

In recognition of the crew’s hard work and dedication, Capt. Ed. McNamee, Kitty Hawk’s commanding officer, pulled out all of the stops to make sure the ship’s birthday was a memorable occasion for the crew and the family members who came out to help celebrate.

“Sailors aboard Kitty Hawk work really hard, and this picnic is about showing Sailors that we appreciate all they do on a daily basis,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW/MTS) Kenneth Hecker, Kitty Hawk’s recreation service officer and picnic coordinator. “This ship wouldn’t be the legend it is without the hard work of her crew.”

Kitty Hawk is scheduled to be relieved by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in 2008.

For related news, visit the USS Kitty Hawk Strike Group Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cv63/.