Supercarrier named after George H.W. Bush commissioned

Just finished reading Jim Bradley's "Flyboys" about pilots in the Pacific Theater of World War II, the book goes into detail about how U.S. pilots were treated by the Japanese after being shot down over one island near Iwo Jima. One of those pilots was George H.W. Bush, who was rescued by the USS Finback, a submarine in the area after ditching in the ocean.
Anyway, I've always respected H.W. for the way he governed, didn't realize another carrier is set to be named after Gerald Ford, a Navy vet.
Here's the link to the story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/10/AR2009011000731.html?hpid=moreheadlines

 

Re: Supercarrier named after George H.W. Bush launched

Good story.

Coincidentally, the Navy has also found a ship it feels perfectly represents the presidency of Bush's son.

 

Re: Supercarrier named after George H.W. Bush launched

Can you change the title of the thread from 'launched' to 'commissioned'? Launching of a ship occurs when the ship is first place into the water. Usually the 'christening ceremony' occurs at the same time. Plenty of work still needs to be done to a ship after it's launched including installation of the weapon and electronic systems and the engineering plant. Seas trials which are shake down cruises looking for any deficiencies needing correction before it is placed into active service are also done after launching and prior to commissioning of a ship. The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) was christened and launched in October 2006. This weekend it was commissioned. Commissioning of a ship is when it's place into active service.

The present US Navy policy is to have 11 carriers in active service. So with the USS George H. W. Bush now entering the fleet, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) will be decommissioned at the end of the month. When the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is commissioned in 2015, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) will be decommissioned.

 

Re: Supercarrier named after George H.W. Bush launched

Whoa. Oscar, man, that is some kinda hair.

 

Re: Supercarrier named after George H.W. Bush launched

funny stuff from whitehouse.org not whitehouse.gov:

USS George H. W. Bush christening: President's Remarks Honoring The Long-Overdue Launch of a Bush-Themed Vessel of Mass Destruction

http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2006/100806.asp

 

Interesting that the dedication of the U.S. embassy in Iraq didn't get more play in the news this week. I wouldn't have a problem if they named that after the younger Bush, for better or worse, it already has his name on it.

 

I expected AlleyAllen to chime in. But he was a tin can (battleship) guy. Probably thinks flat top guys are wusses.

 

Exactly why we need 11 carriers -- and their huge attendant support systems -- in a world where practically nobody else has a Navy is a question that requires an answer.

 

1. Because building an aircraft carrier generates thousands of jobs in dozens of Congressional districts.
2. Because aerial bombing is the US weapon of choice, even in tactical situations, maybe especially in tactical situations.

 

Fenian, which part of "aircraft carrier" do you not understand, aircraft or carrier?

 

Actually, I was both a battleship guy and an aircraft carrier guy. USS Wisconsin and USS George Washington. Oh, and not to nitpick (Oscar did a fantastic job of explaining the commissioning aspect) but a tin-can is actually a destroyer.

 

What I'm wondering is what moniker sailors will pin to the new carrier. The Theodore Roosevelt is famously called "The Big Stick," and other ships have their pet names. "The Papa"? "The Nah-gah-dah-it"?

For that matter, I wonder what they'll call the William Jefferson Clinton, when and if it's commissioned.

Did think it was neat they flew an Avenger over her on Saturday. Nice touch.