Navy to Commission Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush

Faxts News Australia ^ | January 1, 2009 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

The Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush will be commissioned Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address. Dorothy "Doro" Bush Koch, daughter of the ship's namesake, is the ship's sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

The lastNimitz-class aircraft carrier is named to honor World War II naval aviator and America's 41st president George H. W. Bush. Born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mass., Bush began a lifetime of service to America when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday as a seaman. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time, receiving his commission and naval aviator wings before his 19th birthday.

Bush flew the Avenger torpedo bomber in combat from the carrier USS San Jacinto. During an attack on enemy installations near Chichi Jima in September 1944, his plane was hit by enemy fire while making a bombing run. Although the plane was on fire and heavily damaged, he completed a strafing run on the target before bailing out of the doomed aircraft. Bush parachuted into the sea and was later rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his Navy service in the Pacific theater during World War II.

[La Enchiladita]

Historic event. Check C-Span listings.

[La Enchiladita]

Capt. Kevin O'Flaherty, from Los Angeles, Calif., and a 1981 Naval Academy graduate, will become the ship's first commanding officer, leading a crew of more than 5,500 men and women, including embarked air wing personnel. George H. W. Bush will be initially homeported in Norfolk, Va., assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

The ship will support a wide variety of aircraft, including the F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, the E-2C/D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft, the C-2 Greyhound logistics aircraft, the EA-6B Prowler and the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, multi-role SH-60 and MH-60 helicopters, and other future carrier-based aircraft.

[gate2wire]

Cool event.

If anyone has the opportunity to attend, I highly recommend it.

[meandog]

“Read My Ships!”

[stockstrader]

I can't even believe that an aircraft carrier will be commissioned the "George H.W. Bush"--

before the aircraft carrier "B. Hussein Obama" is commissioned!!! /s

[gate2wire]

CVN 77

http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you for showing up, gate2wire. I was trying to remember names to ping and am a little rusty. Wouldn’t it be great to be there? I wonder if my friend’s son, who is USNA freshman, will be able to attend. That would be so great.

[Peanut Gallery]

ping

[jbwbubba]

President-Elect Obama is said to be thrilled by the new carrier and looks forward to sending it on missions to the persian gulf, so he can tell nations in the area he’s sending in George Bush and they know their screwed.

[gate2wire]

“Wouldn’t it be great to be there?”

They could have waited ‘til spring. :-)

[Snickering Hound]

[La Enchiladita]

They could have, but we need something to be happy about this month...*sigh*

[RainMan]

I imagine my boy will be there ... he is stationed next door on the Truman.

[Hazwaste]

The U.S.S. Obama will be a leaky destroyer with a perpetual 10 degree list to port.

The U.S.S. Clinton will be a Cigar boat.

[luvie]

Thanks for the ping, Dita!

I would imagine that the sailors would be SO proud and honored
to serve on this ship!

[luvie]

The U.S.S. Clinton will be a Cigar boat.

...or

U S S Clintoon

[La Enchiladita]

Outstanding!

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings.

Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

[freema]

Exciting Weekend in Norfolk Ping!

[COBOL2Java]

Meanwhile, a Thai syndicate is commisioning the "SS Bill Clinton"...