Shipyard to host keel-laying ceremony for newest aircraft carrier, the John F ... - wtkr.com
Newport News, Va. – Newport News Shipbuilding held a keel-laying ceremony Saturday for the Navy’s next aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). The ship’s sponsor and daughter of the ship’s namesake, Caroline Kennedy, participated in the... “The keel-laying for CVN-79 is an important milestone in returning a carrier named John F. Kennedy to our fleet, continuing the rich tradition of the name,” said Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. “President Kennedy was not only an inspirational leader, but also a Sailor, a man who deeply understood the importance of the Navy and the presence it provides – a presence that will soon be enabled for decades to come by this great ship – a ship... Kennedy commanded a Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron in the Pacific during World War II. His torpedo patrol boat PT-109 was rammed and cut in half by a Japanese destroyer during a night patrol on Aug. The first John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) was christened on May 27, 1967. “Big John” went on 17 deployments, launched strikes on Iraq during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-91 and participated in numerous multi-nation training exercises... Source: wtkr.com
