The Big E still on watch after 50 years
The USS Enterprise, commissioned in 1961 and for two decades after she hit the waves was the largest warship ever built, is still on active duty at full combat readiness. Odds are she is older than most of the 6,000 sailors on board. She is older than every potential escort ship for her in the US Navy (USS Boone FFg-28 was commissioned in 1982 and is the oldest Navy surface warfare escort ship) and the US Coast Guard (The USCGC Reliance was commissioned in 1964)
Talk about an excellent return on investment.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 17, 2011) Sailors spell out “E=MC2” on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ship’s commissioning. Enterprise is the first and oldest nuclear powered aircraft carrier still in service and is celebrating its 50th birthday on Nov. 25, 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Alex R. Forster/Released)
The picture was actually taken in the Red Sea. I was there, I’m in the top part of the ‘g’ in Big.