USS Kitty Hawk Decommissioned

The USS Kitty Hawk is decommissioned after nearly 50 years of service. I have found memories and pictures of following the USS Kitty Hawk during my first bWestPac cruise for 9 months. Taught us an interesting lesson about fishing one of her pilots out of the water when he had to punch out.

Farewell old friend.

Kitty Hawk-CVW 5 to Participate in Pac Exercise

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 fly in formation above the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and CVW-5 will be taking part in exercise Rim of the Pacific off Hawaii in July with units from the United States, Australia, Chile, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau)

USS Kitty Hawk, USS George Washington to Conduct Turnover in San Diego

The USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) turnover originally planned for early June in Pearl Harbor will now take place in San Diego in August as a result of the fire that occurred aboard George Washington on May 22.

Kitty Hawk will then proceed to Bremerton, Wash., to complete her decommissioning on schedule. George Washington's schedule has not yet been determined.

The Chief of Naval Operations has directed a Manual of the Judge Advocate General investigation headed by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Pearl Harbor, to determine the cause of the fire. Additionally, the Navy is conducting a Safety Investigation Board by the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk. The Navy is accumulating lessons learned on this incident to be shared with the fleet.

The U.S. Navy assessment of the mechanical, electrical, electronic and structural systems affected by the May 22 fire aboard George Washington is substantially complete. Damage to George Washington is primarily electrical in nature with limited structural and mechanical associated damage. Fire and heat affected electrical cabling and components in approximately 80 spaces of the more than 3,800 spaces on George Washington.

The repair work is being performed by U.S. Navy Shipyards and by private-sector shipyards in the San Diego area. An estimated completion date, as well as an estimated timeframe for George Washington's arrival in Japan, has yet to be determined.

The Navy is working with crewmembers from USS Kitty Hawk and USS George Washington and their families to minimize the impact of these events. This is the Pacific Fleet's top personnel priority.

USS Kitty Hawk to Participate in RIMPAC 2008

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced June 9 the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will replace USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercise scheduled to take place in the Hawaiian operating area from June 29 through July 31.

A fire occurred onboard GW on May 22 while the ship was at sea. The ship is currently in port at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, conducting repairs to spaces and equipment affected by the fire. The timeline for repairs to the ship has not yet been determined.

Once repairs to the ship are complete, USS George Washington will replace USS Kitty Hawk as the United States Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

RIMPAC, hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to working with our global partners in protecting the maritime freedom as a basis for global prosperity and to ensure stability throughout the Pacific.

RIMPAC has been conducted since 1971. This year's exercise consists of 10 nations, 35 ships, six submarines, over 150 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen. Units from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the U.S. are scheduled to participate.

Kitty Hawk departs Japan for last time

The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departs Yokosuka, Japan for the final time. Kitty Hawk, the oldest carrier in the U.S. Navy and the only conventional-powered aircraft carrier, will be replaced this summer by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau)

China denies Kitty Hawk CSG access to Hong Kong

Reuters news service is reporting that China has refused permission for the USS Kitty Hawk CSG to visit Hong Kong for a long-planned Thanksgiving holiday visit, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.

The Kitty Hawk group and its crew of 8,000 U.S. airmen and sailors had been expected in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but will now spend the holiday on the South China Sea.

Hundred of relatives of crew members of the USS Kitty Hawk had flown to Hong Kong to celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones. Hong Kong has been a regular port of call for U.S. sailors on "R & R" (rest and recuperation) since the Vietnam War.

"At present, it appears the USS Kitty Hawk strike group will not be making a port call in Hong Kong as previously planned as a result of a last minute denial by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said.

The United States was pressing China for an explanation and to reconsider its decision, she added.

There are several possible sources of discontent that may have prompted the decision -- including U.S. plans to sell Taiwan a $940 million upgrade to its missile system and a meeting last month between President George W Bush and the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leader who Beijing considers a traitor.

The Foreign Ministry in Beijing declined to make an immediate comment.

Last year, a Chinese submarine surfaced uncomfortably close to the Kitty Hawk near the Japanese island of Okinawa, an incident that highlighted the potential for friction between the two powers.

The move by Beijing coincides with "airspace controls" on Wednesday which Xinhua news agency said affected the air travel plans of 7,000 people in south and east China.

The controls were introduced for "unspecified reasons".

Kitty Hawk Returns From Summer Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Olivia Giger, USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs


USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) pulled into Yokosuka, Japan Sept. 21, after a four-month summer deployment. The carrier departed May 23 after successfully completing sea trials and pilot refresher training, known as carrier qualifications.

Kitty Hawk kicked off the summer deployment with Talisman Saber 2007, in which the United States and Australia combined land, sea and air forces. The exercise brought together more than 12,000 Australian and 20,000 U.S. personnel from all branches of the armed services.

Kitty Hawk then participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, one of the largest annual exercises in the Western Pacific. This year's weeklong exercise involved about 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who worked together to build their joint combat skills.

The 30 ships involved with Valiant Shield were from three carrier strike groups: Kitty Hawk’s, USS Nimitz’s Carrier Strike Group and USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. During the exercise, Rear Adm. Rick Wren, commander of the Kitty Hawk strike group and Task Force 70, had command of all three strike groups.

Kitty Hawk also participated in Malabar, a six-day exercise that took place in the Indian Ocean’s Bay of Bengal, involving more than 20,000 personnel on 28 ships and 150 aircraft from the United States Navy, Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

In an effort to be prepared should a real-life situation call them to work together in the future, the five nations came together to improve their anti-submarine warfare, anti-piracy, humanitarian and combat skills.

“[Malabar] is an exercise for bringing maritime professionals together and learning from each other,” said Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, 7th Fleet commander, in a press conference held on Kitty Hawk’s flight deck, Sept. 7.

During Malabar, Kitty Hawk also recorded its 400,000th aircraft landing, also known as a trap. The historic trap was made by an E/A-6B Prowler from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 piloted by Capt. Michael McNellis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 5. This was also McNellis’s 1,000th career trap.

Kitty Hawk is the only carrier still in commission to surpass the number and is the third Navy aircraft carrier to have more than 400,000 carrier landings.

Kitty Hawk, along with its escorts, visited Guam twice; Sydney and Brisbane, Australia; and Port Klang, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ships were in Malaysia on August 31, the country’s 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britain.

“There was a lot of stuff to see in Malaysia,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Cedrick Irvin. “We pulled in at a great time - during their Independence Day celebration.”

In every port, Sailors signed up with the ship’s Religious Ministries Department for community relations projects, to give back to the people of each city.

“It’s always good to give back to the community,” said Seaman Robert Tucker of Deck Department’s 3rd division. “If they’re letting us into their country we should do what we can to help while we’re there.”

Kitty Hawk’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation division also set up tours of the ports visited, including one that featured rappelling in Australia.

“It’s completely exhilarating to say the least,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW) Ryan Skaggs from Strike Fighter Squadron 102. “It’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Kitty Hawk, Allies Complete Malabar Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Olivia Giger, Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 makes a final pass before landing aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during exercise Malabar 07-2. This multinational exercise includes naval forces from India, Australia, Japan, Singapore and the United States. Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 are currently conducting their summer deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jarod Hodge)

The USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing 5 completed exercise Malabar Sept. 9 with USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, Carrier Air Wing 11, and ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

The six-day exercise began Sept. 4 and took place in the Bay of Bengal. It involved more than 20,000 personnel on 28 ships and 150 aircraft.

This year was different from previous exercises because India expanded by inviting Japan, Singapore and Australia to join the exercise, increasing its scale and complexity.

The five nations worked together to improve their anti-submarine warfare, anti-piracy, humanitarian and combat skills, in an effort to be prepared should a real-life situation call them to work together in the future.

“[Malabar] is an exercise for bringing maritime professionals together and learning from each other,” said Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, U.S. 7th Fleet commander, in a press conference held on Kitty Hawk’s flight deck, Sept. 7.

Numerous foreign officers from the participating navies were also on board to learn about and observe carrier flight operations.

“The ability to work together quickly and effectively doesn’t happen by accident,” said Rear Adm. Nigel Coates, Australian Fleet commander. "It happens because of exercises like Malabar, where our navies can get together, learn and practice our ability to work together on short notice."

“I think you can never over-estimate the importance of being called together at short notice to work together and be able to understand each other,” said Republic of Singapore Navy Col. Wellman Wan, commander of the First Flotilla and navy operations manager.

A team of 14 Sailors from the Kitty Hawk Strike Group embarked all foreign ships to set up and maintain CENTRIX communications equipment, which enabled all participating units to communicate with each other.

Malabar 07-2 is the strike group’s final major exercise of its summer deployment. The strike group is the U.S. Navy’s largest and includes the carrier, seven ships of Destroyer Squadron 15, two Aegis weapons system equipped guided-missile cruisers and Carrier Air Wing 5.

The ships operate from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and the air wing operates from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Together, they serve as the 7th Fleet’s combatant force.

Kitty Hawk F/A-18C Aircraft Lost, Pilot Safely Recovered

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, was lost at sea July 30 during a night training mission from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).

The pilot ejected and was safely recovered by a U.S. Navy helicopter shortly after the incident, which took place about 400 miles southeast of Guam.

The aircraft was conducting routine training at the time. A Navy investigation will be conducted to determine the cause.

The pilot’s name will not be released at this time.

The F/A-18C is a single seat fighter and attack aircraft. The squadron operates from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, and is embarked on Kitty Hawk.

The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is on its summer deployment in the western Pacific Ocean. The strike group is the U.S. Navy’s largest and includes the carrier, seven ships of Destroyer Squadron 15, two Aegis weapons system-equipped guided-missile cruisers and CVW 5.

The ships operate from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and the air wing operates from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Together, they serve as the 7th Fleet’s combatant force.

Kitty Hawk, Air Wing Prepare to Take Flight Again

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph A. Vernola, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departed Yokosuka, Japan, on May 15, to begin carrier qualifications after a four-month maintenance period and recent sea trials.

The ship’s Air Department will work with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 pilots and air crews to earn the certifications necessary to conduct flight operations during the upcoming summer deployment, said Cmdr. Mike Horsefield, Air Department head.

Carrier qualifications will also allow the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 "Liberty Bells" an opportunity to test new equipment on their E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.

“We have new propellers on the planes and we are going to see how the planes react to taking off from the carrier,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Ricardo Sawh, a VAW-115 troubleshooter and final checker. “The planes make a lot less noise and vibrations now, so the plane flies a lot smoother.”

The squadron plans to thoroughly test the new propellers during 30 scheduled flights, said Sawh.

Carrier qualifications also allow air wing personnel to become familiar with ship operations, according to Lt. James Lomax, Strike Fighter Squadron 102 air-to-ground weapons training officer.

“Carrier qualifications really help in getting our pilots back up to speed after not being on the ship for a while,” said Lomax.

Carrier qualifications are the last step Kitty Hawk must complete before starting its summer deployment.