On the front lines of history: USS Enterprise on its last deployment
By Larry Shaughnessy
The U.S. Navy has had eight ships named the Enterprise. The first was commandeered from the British in the early stages of the Revolutionary War by Benedict Arnold, before the America even had a navy and before he became America's most notorious traitor.
The seventh Enterprise was an aircraft carrier and a mainstay of the Navy's war in the Pacific during World War II. Three times the Japanese Navy said it had sunk "The Grey Ghost," but the Enterprise survived and is regarded as the most decorated warship in U.S. history.
But when the eighth USS Enterprise put to sea in 1962, it already had a place in American military history.
The ship's design replaced conventional boilers that had powered warships for decades with eight reactors, making it the world's first nuclear-powered carrier. It was longer, taller and faster than any warship the United States had ever launched.
A young fighter pilot named John McCain knew something about Naval history. Both his father and grandfather had been four-star admirals. He had previously served aboard the World War II-era carrier USS Interpid before ordered to the Navy's state of the art warship.
Also: USS Enterprise sailing off to history's scrap heap
"It really was a quantum leap, as much as we love the Intrepid. Between the Intrepid, World War Two and the USS Enterprise, it was exciting and it was an incredible experience to be on the first air wing on the USS Enterprise," McCain told CNN.
In October of 1962, the ship had just finished its maiden deployment when the White House and the Kremlin sparred over Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.
"We'd only been back a couple of weeks and they said, 'get out to the ship.' Nobody knew what we were doing, so we flew our airplanes out to the carrier as we were headed south," McCain said.
The Enterprise was one of the first U.S. ships to establish a blockade around Cuba, according to Navy documents on the Enterprise's history.
"I was launched a couple of times just to fly around, but not towards Cuba," said McCain, now the senior senator from Arizona. "They made sure we headed away from Cuba so as not to spark anything."
After 13 days, the crisis eased and the Enterprise returned to its home port of Norfolk, Va.
By 1965, it had been moved to the Pacific's Seventh Fleet and began six combat deployments to Vietnam. On Dec. 2 in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam, the Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered warship in history to engage in combat. It launched 118 sorties against Viet Cong targets in South Vietnam.
While steaming off Hawaii en route to Vietnam, the Enterprise suffered its worst disaster on Jan. 14, 1969.
The flight deck was loaded with fully armed and fully fueled aircraft undergoing pre-deployment inspection drills. Sailor Michael Carlin called it "the single-most terrible and most glorious day in our history."
Fire engulfs the USS Enterprise in 1969 (Navy Photo)
Carlin was the leader of a crew in charge of handling jet fuel on the ship.
He heard the exploding rocket and led his team to the fight deck.
"An aircraft carrier, especially with fully fueled and armed aircraft on deck, if something goes wrong it's a floating fireworks factory," he said.
All it took was one mistake - an aircraft starter unit was parked too close to a rocket on a nearby fighter jet. The unit's exhaust heated up the rocket and it exploded, triggering disaster.
Carlin and his sailors ran to grab a fire hose.
"For the first time we're seeing all these guys that are down, of burns indescribable burns and wounds," he said.
But they couldn't help the wounded because the fire was spreading from jet to jet and the stern was full of F4 Phantoms. They each carried six 500-pound bombs and eight rockets and were loaded with 9,000 pounds of fuel.
All those munitions started to blow up. In minutes the entire stern was engulfed in flames and thick black smoke. Exploding bombs blew huge holes on the flight deck and fuel poured to the areas below.
"I didn't get injured, I got blown down four times," said Carlin whose team was on the fire hose closest to the burning aircraft.
The fire was put out but 27 sailors had been killed and another 314 wounded.
Fifteen planes were destroyed and the ship was badly damaged. But after emergency repairs at Pearl Harbor, the ship was back off the coast of North Vietnam by the end of March conducting combat operations.
The quick, determined response is why Carlin said the disaster was a moment of glory.
"The ship and crew fought back and never quit fighting until the thing was finally beaten down," he said.
After dozens of deployments around the world over the next three decades, the Enterprise was leaving the Persian Gulf for home when the hijack attacks struck New York and Washington on September 11, 2001.
An F/A 18 launches during recent Enterprise deployment (Navy Photo)
Without orders, the Enterprise turned around and steamed at maximum speed toward Pakistan. By October 7, warplanes on the Enterprise were among the first to launch retaliatory strikes against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
It was the first of the Enterprise's 10 deployments to the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On Dec 1, the Enterprise will be deactivated and will make history again over the next three years. It will become the first nuclear-powered carrier ever decommissioned. After its nuclear fuel and eight reactors are safely removed, CVN-65, The USS Enterprise, will be cut up and sold for scrap.
But there's already a move underway to name CVN-80, a yet to be built carrier, as the ninth USS Enterprise.
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I've truly
enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Amazing issues here. I'm very glad to see your post.
Thank you so much and I am taking a look ahead to touch you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Here is my website: chic sparrow
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a really
good article… but what can I say… I put things
off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
Hi, I want to subscribe for this webpage to taske hottest updates, so where can i do
iit please help.
Have a look at my site gloucester chinese takeaway – Bonnie,
If you wish for to improve your know-how simply keep visiting this web site
and be updated with the hottest information posted here.
I've been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
https://www.electricpercolatorcoffeepot.com/10-top-coffee-bloggers/
Hey! Quick question that's totally off topic. Do you know how to mmake your
site mobile friendly? My website looks weidd when viewing from my iphone4.
I'm trying to find a template orr plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
If you have anny recommendations, please share. With thanks!
Here is my web site ... brestrogen serum
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable
know-how concerning unpredicted emotions.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog's content all the time along with a mug of coffee.
my blog post ... 먹튀검증사이트
Excellent write-up. I definitely appreciate
this website. Continue the good work!
my web-site; planner inserts
For the reason that the admin of this site is working,
no hesitation very soon it will be well-known, due to its feature
contents.
My web-site; Stickers For Packages
I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers except this piece of writing is genuinely a
fastidious paragraph, keep it up.
Also visit my site 먹튀
This web site seems to get a sizable ammount of visitors. How do you obtain visitors to this? It provides a good person twist on issues. I guess having something authentic or considerable to give information on is the most important element.
http://yourmatrixcashmachine.com
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually folks don't talk about these subjects To the next! Best wishes!!
http://www.virtual-circuit.org/
Hurrah! Finally I purchased a blog where I learn how to
really get helpful data regarding my study and knowledge.
Here is my web blog GlenMGouse
I’m not sure where you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
https://www.electricpercolatorcoffeepot.com/10-top-coffee-bloggers/
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted at this site is in fact pleasant.
my website: Freerapid Downloader Reddit (https://Softfamous.Com)
https://www.electricpercolatorcoffeepot.com/10-top-coffee-bloggers/
What's Happening i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I've discovered
It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I'm hoping to contribute & aid other users like its aided me.
Great job.
Check out my site ... หวย
Amazing issues here. I am very happy to see your article.
Thanks so much and I am having a look ahead to touch you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Feel free to visit my site: 먹튀검증
I always emailed this website post page to all my associates, for the reason that if like
to read it afterward my contacts will too.
Also visit my website ... 먹튀
Hello, this weekend is pleasant designed for me, aas this point in time i am
reading this fantastic educational post here aat my residence.
My web page ... brestrogen complaints
Can I simply say what a aid to seek out someone who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to mild and make it important. More individuals have to read this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant consider youre no more standard because you positively have the gift.
http://www.vreyrolinomit.com/
Is there a service available that geotags blog posts while on the go and is able to post to map with others?
https://twitter.com/katekdesigns
Hello there! This post could not be written much better!
Dealing with this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept speaking about this. I am going to send this information to him.
Fairly certain he will have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
Also visit my page ... MargFOfsak
I found your weblog website on google and check a number of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the superb operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to reading more from you afterward!…
https://proxyti.com/buy/100-private-proxies
I think this site holds some really good information for everyone :D. "Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." by Samuel Ullman.
http://www.vreyrolinomit.com/
https://grocerymoney.us
https://grocerymoney.us
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and simply couldn't come across. What a great web site.
http://www.vreyrolinomit.com/
Rig codes are pretty utile for games that you impoverishment to bonk fun without leaving through a lot of missions.
http://www.googlep0.com
I just figured out that my computer has this kind of trojan. I was running pretty much all of the Anti-virus things my computer has. The main one says there is nothing there and my Windows defender says I have two trojans so I'm not sure what to do. I'm thinking of buying or building a new one. . Right now I have intel. Im not sure which is best like Dell, Miscrosoft, etc. I need a gaming computer which can also be used as a school work computer. Any ideas?.
https://www.facebook.com/KateKowalskyWebMarketing
Appreciation to my father who stated to me on the topic of this web site, this weblog is actually remarkable.
Here is my web site 먹튀검증
Appreciate it for this marvellous post, I am glad I detected this site on yahoo.
https://proxyti.com/buy/1000-private-proxies/
Hi All,. . I am creating a website for overseas students who are in Australia and those who are thinking of applying a student visa to Australia. (fyi, website will be in the local language).. . I have found a PDF file on the Australian Embassy website advising how to apply those main visas and application procedure, etc. I think this info is very useful to for many people and I want to make this info available on my website. Copyright is the only concerned at the moment.. . If I just copy the whole article "without" making any amendments, including make sure to reference all details where it from etc plus the link to the Australian embassy website. . . Would this be illegal?. . Many thanks..
https://twitter.com/straininfoonli1/status/1310638274759864322
You really allow it to be seem really easy together with your presentation nevertheless i find this topic to become
actually something which I feel I would personally never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad to me.
I am just looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of this!
Here is my web-site: passport wallet insert
I am always looking online for tips that can benefit me. Thanks!
http://news.illinoisnewsdesk.com/story/292378/ace-contractors-plumbers-handles-all-local-plumbing-service-needs-in-san-diego.html
I open it then something pops up saying:. . Firefox has stopped working.. Windows can check online for a solution to the problem.. . So can anyone help to fix it?.
https://twitter.com/katekdesigns
Moscow bathroom renovation https://megaremont.pro/msk-restavratsiya-vann
I am really enjoying the theme/form of your weblog. Have you ever
come across any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog
visitors have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Are you experiencing any solutions to assist fix this issue?
Also visit my web blog :: credit card holder insert for vegan travelers notebook
I do enjoy the manner in which you have framed this matter plus it does provide me a lot of fodder for thought. On the other hand, because of what precisely I have witnessed, I only wish when other opinions stack on that folks remain on issue and not start upon a tirade regarding the news du jour. Anyway, thank you for this outstanding piece and while I do not really concur with this in totality, I regard the perspective.
https://extraproxies.com/tag/propeller/
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any
issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My
site has a lot of unique content I've either written myself or outsourced however it
appears a lot of it is popping it up all around the web without my agreement.
Are you aware any ways to help prevent content from being stolen? I'd definitely appreciate it.
Also visit my webpage: grid paper notebook for sale
Imagine getting hundreds of people flooding your inbox on autopilot, 24/7. Cutting-edge funnel-based app that can generate 100 commissions of up to 900+ dollars DAILY. More details: Click in link in profile
https://bit.ly/2YfQFcC
I’m not tnat much of a onlinbe reader to be honest but your blogs
really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back inn the future.
Cheers
My web-site – breast boost
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
website, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had
been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
my homepage – marketing mistakes (Horace)
I've been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion,
if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will
be a lot more useful than ever before.
Also visit my blog: 먹튀검증업체
This site was... how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me.
Cheers!
My blog post – https://kroger-feed.us
Ahaa, its nice discussion on the topic of this paragraph here at this blog, I have read
all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
Here is my page; 먹튀검증업체
Whats up very nice website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb
.. I'll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
I'm satisfied to find so many useful information right
here within the submit, we'd like develop extra techniques
on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Feel free to surf to my homepage: 먹튀검증업체
This is very interesting, You're a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
Also, I've shared your website in my social networks!
Also visit my webpage here
Tenemos técnicos especializados en la reparación de lavadoras en Alcobendas, si su lavadora presenta alguna anomalia llámenos y uno de nuestros técnicos acudirá su domicilio en el menor tiempo posible. Reparación Lavavajillas Alcobendas, servicio técnico de reparación lavavajillas Alcobendas está especializado en solucionar todas las averías que se presenten, tales como: No enciende el lavavajillas, no lava la vajilla, hace mucho ruido el electrodoméstico, no coge detergente, botonera mal, no avanza de programa el lavavajillas, se sale el agua. Horario de lunes a sábado Básico más prestaciones de ley No se requiere experiencia.
https://picomart.trade/wiki/Content_Mecanizado_2dd2b5d
Tecnirep Madrid, si busca un servicio técnico de frigoríficos en Madrid, ha encontrado el sitio perfecto. No somos servicio técnico oficial ni nos interesa hacernos pasar por ellos, no cobramos por anticipado, etc... lo que se supone que es una empresa normal de servicio técnico en Toledo.
http://bbs.ftbj.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=214424
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
http://www.zortilonrel.com/
g-force is very nice, i love all the characters in that animated movie”
http://6dollarmillion.xyz
This article is really a good one it helps new net viewers,
who are wishing for blogging.
Stop by my blog ... pastibayar4D.com