Additional Coverage:
- The one-of-a-kind ex-USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier is heading to the scrapyard, but a new JFK flattop is coming (newsbreak.com)
Final Voyage for Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy
The ex-aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy, the last conventionally powered flattop built by the US Navy, embarked on its final journey to a scrapyard. The vessel was sold for just one cent and will be dismantled.
Legacy of the Kennedy Name
The Kennedy namesake will continue with the future Ford-class nuclear-powered supercarrier PCU John F. Kennedy. Scheduled for commissioning in 2025, the second-in-class ship carries a $11 billion price tag.
Landmark Events and Deployment
Over its nearly four decades in service, the original Kennedy participated in operations in various seas, including the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Afghanistan. It launched the first strikes on Iraq in 1991 and supported Operation Noble Eagle after 9/11.
Historical Military Prank
In 1986, sailors on the Kitty Hawk-class carrier USS America dropped greased pigs dyed in patriotic colors on the flight deck of the Kennedy, marking one of the Navy’s greatest pranks.
Future of the Kennedy Legacy
The second-in-class aircraft carrier, PCU John F. Kennedy, honors the legacy of President John F.
Kennedy. It boasts advanced technology, including nuclear reactors and improved aircraft launch systems, making it a formidable warship for the US Navy.
Delayed Delivery
Despite being built on lessons learned from the first Ford-class carrier, PCU John F. Kennedy has faced delivery delays due to supply chain issues and upgrades. It is now scheduled to join the Pacific Fleet in July 2025.
Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific
The deployment of the Kennedy to the Indo-Pacific aims to strengthen the US naval presence in the region and counter the rapid modernization of adversaries. The Navy believes that advanced warships like the Kennedy are essential to maintain an overmatch in technological capabilities.