Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets
U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin…
Guided-Missile Destroyer Dewey Christened
Mrs. Deborah Mullen, ships sponsor for the precommissioning unit Dewey (DDG 105) christens the newest Aegis-class destroyer, striking the traditional champagne bottle across the ship's bow at Northrop Grumman Systems Shipyard, Pascagoula, Miss., Jan. 26, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. By Fred W. The ship's freshly painted gray hull gave up only a hollow "clunk" as the bottle she gripped with both hands in baseball-bat fashion glanced off its edge.
Carrier's Namesake Tests Catapult
Former President George H.W. Bush, prepares to signal the launch of two "dead loads" off the flight deck of the Precommissioning Unit (PCU) George H. W. Bush's (CVN 77). "Dead Load" launches test the ship's catapult systems ability to launch aircraft. The ship is under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. U.S. From Pre-Commissioning Unit George H. Marking a milestone in the construction of the U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.
USS Constellation Retires After 42 Years
'America's Flagship', USS Constellation (CV 64) was decommissioned Aug. 6 after 41 years, nine months and 11 days of naval service in a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. Former President Ronald Reagan presented a Presidential Flag to the ship in 1981, and tagged Constellation with the nickname 'America's Flagship.' Coincidentally, the newly commissioned USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) will replace Constellation when it arrives in San Diego next summer. Lt.j.g. Jenny Krug, combat systems division officer, has been on the crew of a precommissioning unit (PCU), but never part of a decommissioning crew. "It's really interesting working the opposite side of a PCU," said Krug.
