Intro
Explore the remarkable history of the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, a legendary aircraft carrier that served the US Navy from 1961 to 2009. Discover 7 amazing facts about its service, including its role in the Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and its record-breaking deployments. Learn about its impressive specs and notable milestones.
The USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) is a decommissioned supercarrier that served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 2009. Here are seven amazing facts about this incredible vessel:
The USS Kitty Hawk was the second ship to bear the name, with the first being a World War II-era aircraft carrier that was also named after the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright brothers made the first powered flight in 1903.
Design and Construction
The USS Kitty Hawk was designed as a Forrestal-class supercarrier, which was a new class of aircraft carriers developed by the US Navy in the 1950s. The ship was built at the New York Navy Yard and was launched on May 21, 1960. It was commissioned on April 29, 1961.
Key Features
The USS Kitty Hawk had a number of key features that made it an advanced aircraft carrier for its time. These included:
- A length of 1,046 feet (319 meters) and a beam of 252 feet (77 meters)
- A displacement of 61,000 tons
- A crew of 5,000 sailors and officers
- A flight deck that was 900 feet (274 meters) long and 250 feet (76 meters) wide
- A speed of over 30 knots (56 kilometers per hour)
- A range of over 12,000 nautical miles (22,224 kilometers)
Service History
The USS Kitty Hawk had a long and distinguished service history, serving in a number of conflicts and crises around the world. These included:
- The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962
- The Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s
- The Gulf War in 1991
- The Iraq War in 2003
Operational Deployments
The USS Kitty Hawk made a number of operational deployments during its service life, including:
- 17 deployments to the Mediterranean Sea
- 15 deployments to the Western Pacific Ocean
- 4 deployments to the Indian Ocean
- 2 deployments to the Persian Gulf
Decommissioning and Legacy
The USS Kitty Hawk was decommissioned on May 12, 2009, after nearly 50 years of service. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on October 20, 2009, and was eventually sold for scrapping in 2017.
Preservation Efforts
Although the USS Kitty Hawk was ultimately scrapped, there are efforts underway to preserve the ship's legacy. These include:
- The USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the ship and its crew
- The USS Kitty Hawk Museum, which is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and features exhibits and artifacts from the ship's service life
USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 Image Gallery
What was the USS Kitty Hawk's primary mission?
+The USS Kitty Hawk's primary mission was to serve as a mobile airbase, providing air power and support for military operations around the world.
How long did the USS Kitty Hawk serve in the US Navy?
+The USS Kitty Hawk served in the US Navy for nearly 50 years, from 1961 to 2009.
What was the USS Kitty Hawk's top speed?
+The USS Kitty Hawk had a top speed of over 30 knots (56 kilometers per hour).