|
Posted on 09/24/2005 9:05:21 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
|
|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
|
 displacement: 85,600 tons length: 1, 101 feet beam: 133 feet; extreme width: 252 feet draft: 35 feet speed: 30+ knots complement: 4,600 crew class: Enterprise  A bottle of champagne shattered on the bow of the awesome new warship, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), breaking the silence of an anxious crowd at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, Va. It was Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 1960, when Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of the former Secretary of the Navy, christened the eighth USS Enterprise, bringing to life the longest, tallest and mightiest warship to ever sail the seas. At the commissioning of Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Secretary of the Navy John B. Connally, Jr., called it a worthy successor to the highly decorated seventh USS Enterprise of World War II. "The Fighting Gray Lady, as it was called, served in such well-known battles as the raid on Tokyo and the Battle of Midway." Secretary Connally went on to say, "The new Enterprise will reign a long, long time as queen of the seas." Enterprise made its maiden voyage under the command of Capt. Vincent P. DePoix, Jan. 12, 1962. In August, Enterprise joined the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Soon after its return to Norfolk, Va., in October, Enterprise was dispatched to its first international crisis. Enterprise and other ships in the Second Fleet set up a "strict quarantine of all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba." The blockade was put in place on Oct. 24, and the first Soviet ship was stopped the next day. On Oct. 28, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles and dismantle the missile bases in Cuba.  Enterprise made its second and third deployments to the Mediterranean in 1963 and 1964. During the latter deployment, on May 13, the world's first nuclear-powered task force was formed when USS Long Beach and USS Bainbridge joined Enterprise. On July 31, the ships were designated Task Force One and sent on Operation Sea Orbit, a historic 30,565-mile voyage around the world, accomplished without a single refueling or replenishment. In October, Enterprise returned to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company for its first refueling and overhaul. The Big E transferred to the Pacific's Seventh Fleet in November 1965 and became the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat when it launched bomb-laden aircraft in a projection of power against the Viet Cong on Dec. 2, 1965. Its hot decks launched 125 sorties on the first day, unleashing 167 tons of bombs and rockets on the enemy's supply lines. The next day it set a record of 165 strike sorties in a single day. In all, Enterprise made six combat deployments to Southeast Asia from 1965 to 1972. Between combat tours, Enterprise returned to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in 1970 for an overhaul and second refueling. Following the 1973 cease-fire in Vietnam, Enterprise proceeded to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash., where Big E was altered and refitted to support the Navy's newest fighter aircraft -- the F-14A "Tomcat." When Enterprise made its seventh Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment in September 1974, it became the first carrier to deploy with the new fighter plane. During the deployment, in February 1975, Enterprise was called on to help in the evacuation of Saigon. During Operation Frequent Wind, Big E aircraft flew 95 sorties.  The ship made its eighth and ninth WESTPACs in 1976 and 1978, respectively. It sailed to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in January 1979 for a 30-month comprehensive overhaul. Enterprise made its 10th, 11th and 12th WESTPAC deployments in 1982, 1984 and 1986, respectively. When Enterprise deployed in 1986, it became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. It then entered the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in over 22 years. In April 1988, Enterprise, on its 13th deployment, was assigned to escort reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf while stationed in the North Arabian Sea. In a measured response, Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing 11 struck a decisive blow to the Iranian navy in the most intensely fought naval battle since the Korean campaign. Enterprise began its 14th overseas deployment in September 1989. In early December, Enterprise participated in Operation Classic Resolve, President Bush's response to Philippine President Corazon Aquino's request for air support during the rebel coup attempt. Enterprise remained on station conducting flight operations in the waters outside Manila Bay. In March 1990, Enterprise completed its highly successful around-the-world deployment by arriving in Norfolk, Va. Enterprise had successfully and safely steamed more than 43,000 miles from its long-time homeport of Alameda, Calif. In October, Enterprise moved to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company for refueling and the Navy's largest complex overhaul ever attempted. It returned to sea Sept. 27, 1994, for sea trials, during which Enterprise performed an extended full power run as fast as when it was new. The Big E remains the fastest combatant in the world. On June 28, 1996, Enterprise began its 15th overseas deployment. The Big E enforced no-fly zones in Bosnia (Operation Joint Endeavor) and Iraq (Operation Southern Watch).  The deployment also marked the end of an era when VA-75 retired the A-6E Intruder from the Navy. Enterprise completed its deployment Dec. 20, 1996. In February of 1997 Enterprise entered Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. for an extended selective restrictive availablity lasting four-and-a-half months. Following workups, Enterprise departed on its 16th overseas deployment Nov. 6, 1998, this time with CVW 3. Following a high-speed TransLant, Big E relieved Eisenhower in the Arabian Gulf Nov. 23. On Dec. 16, 1998, Enterprise Battle Group assets initiated Operation Desert Fox, the aerial assault of military targets in Iraq, first with Tomahawk land attack missiles and then air strikes by CVW 3. During the 70-hour operation, Team Enterprise launched more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles and dropped more than 675,000 pounds of ordnance. Immediately after Desert Fox, Big E steamed to the Adriatic Sea for possible combat operations in the Yugoslavian province of Kosovo. The deployment concluded in May 1999.      |
| Related sad news that may have been missed because of other news coverage: Navy releases identities of aviators killed in Fla. The Virginian-Pilot © September 21, 2005 Last updated: 11:30 PM The Navy released the names of two aviators killed Wednesday when their S-3B Viking crashed during a landing approach in Jacksonville, Fla. Killed were Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Blake , 33 , a native of Spencer, Neb .; and Lt. Cmdr. Scott T. Bracher , 33 , of Malverne, N.Y. According to the Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Bracher was the pilot and Blake the flight officer and mission commander. Both were 11-year Navy veterans and had been members of the Jacksonville-based Sea Control Squadron 32 for six months. The “Maulers” are part of Carrier Air Wing 1, assigned to the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Enterprise. The Viking, used as a mid-air refueling tanker for carrier-based jets, typically has a two-person crew. No one on the ground was injured. The cause of the crash is under investigation. |
| September 24, 2005
Out Of The Dust
Read:
|
Feeling low? Struggling with one of life's worst-case scenarios? You're not alone.
It would be fantastic if we could recite some spiritually charged words and make all of our problems go away, but that's just not going to happen. Life is not all smiles and happy hearts—even for the people of God.
Yet even from the darkest expressions of sadness can come the hope of help. The despair of the psalmist, recorded in Psalm 119, leads to the promise of comfort and mercy. Out of tribulation can arise new understanding and strength. The psalmist freely expressed his feelings and his trust that God would take care of him.
"My soul clings to the dust" (v.25). Then a plea to God: "Revive me according to Your Word."
"My soul melts from heaviness" (v.28). Then the hope in God's provision: "Strengthen me according to Your Word."
"I will run the course of Your commandments" (v.32). Even in the midst of deep trials, the psalmist was committed to obeying God.
Yes, express your despair to the Lord—but don't stop there. Ask Him for mercy and strength. Commit to obeying Him. Cling to His promises in the Scriptures. He will be faithful to see you through any trial. —Dave Branon
If we have hope, we can go on.
On This Day In History
Birthdates which occurred on September 24:
1501 Gerolamo Cardano, mathematician, author of Games of Chance, the first systematic computation of probabilities.
1717 Horace Walpole England, writer (The Castle of Otranto)
1755 John Marshall Va, 4th Supreme Court Chief Justice (1801-35)
1825 Frances E.W. Harper famous African
1870 Georges Claude inventor (neon light)
1890 Sir Alan Herbert England, journalist/writer (Punch, Helen)
1896 F Scott Fitzgerald St Paul Minn, author (Great Gatsby)
1898 Baron Florey Aust, pathologist; purified penicillin (Nobel '45)
1914 Herb Jeffries Detroit Mich, actor (Where's Huddles)
1919 Vaclav Nelhybel Polanka Czechoslovakia, composer (Everyman)
1921 Jim McKay Phila Pa, sportscaster (ABC's Wide World of Sports)
1922 Theresa Merritt Newport News Va, actress (Mama-That's My Mama)
1924 Sheila MacRae London England, actress (Jackie Gleason Show)
1924 Walter Fufido Bronx NY, Iwo Jima casualty (WW II)
1930 John W Young SF Calif, astronaut (Gem 3 10, Apol 10 16, STS 1 9)
1931 Anthony Newley actor/song writer/singer (Dr Doolittle)
1934 John Brunner Britain, sci-fi author (Sheep Look Up)
1936 Jim Henson Greenville Miss, muppeteer (Sesame Street, Muppet Show)
1943 Lee Aaker LA Calif, actor (Rusty-Rin Tin Tin)
1946 "Mean" Joe Greene NFL tackle (Pitts Steelers), Coke spokesman
1948 Phil Hartman (comedian, actor
1962 Joseph Kennedy II (FORMER Rep-D-Mass)
1971 Shane Conrad actress (Cody-High Mountain Rangers)
Good morning to everyone at the Foxhole.
Good morning, EGC!!
*HUGS*
((HUGS))Back at 'ya. How's it going?
This is wonderful! Profiling Enterprise. This must truly be the greatest article ever posted on FreeRepublic.
Doing well, thanks. Furnace was running early this morning. Temps dipped down to 44F last night.
Gorgeous day today, clear blue skies and sunshine.
Back later. I must go Freep. WAMM is out in force today.
Reality stick?...check
Can of whupass?...check
Vaccination card?...check
I'm off.
If I'm not back in two days....send the Dallas cowboy cheerleaders to look for me.
RIP Heros.
Hi Feather.
How ya doing Mayor?? Is it Fall up your way?? Typical gorgeous Fall day here today.
FReeper Flyer's dearly departed Gilligan.
LOL. No, we also profiled (and visited) the Tarawa. But I don't want to get snippy about it. ;-)
Hi miss Feather
Bittygirl keeps asking, "go car", oh Lord, she's gonna want keys soon.
Oh, I like Tarawas, Really. And I'm not being snippy either. Why, some of my best friends are Tarawas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
