John F Kennedy (CV 67) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 22 text:

USS .IOH F. KENNEDY A HISTOR Y OF SER VICE USS JOHN F KENNEDY LCV-675 was named for the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The keel was laid October 22 1964, at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia. President Kennedy's daughter, Caroline, christened the ship in May 1967, during ceremonies held at Newport News, Virginia. . l In September 1970, in response to a deteriorating situation in the Middle East, KENNEDY was ordered, without warning, to ' I d activit in the war in proceed to the Mediterranean. The ship sailed again to the Mediterranean the following year. ncrease y U Southeast Asia caused this deployment to be extended. The ship's fourth Mediterranean cruise included her first visit to a North Atlantic port, Edinburgh, Scotland. KENNEDY returned to Norfolk, Virginia eight months later. t In March, 1974, KENNEDY steamed into the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first major overhaul. While there, KENNEDY was modified to carry the F-14 Tomcat and the S3-A Viking. ' During the seventh deployment in 1978, a record was set of 31,568 flight hours and 12,438 arrested landings. KENNEDY underwent a year-long second major overhaul which ended in 1979. She turned this yard period into an exercise in award winning and morale building. KENNEDY won seven awards, many for the second, third, and fourth consecutive years. KENNEDY's ninth deployment was her first Indian Ocean deployment. KENNEDY transited the Suez Canal, hosted the first visit aboard a United State ship by a Somali Head of State, held the largest mass reenlistment ceremony fofficiated by the Secretary of the Navyj in her history, and achieved her l50,000th arrested landing. 1982 was another award winner for KENNEDY. She won her eighth Battle 'E' efficiency award, her fourth Golden Anchor retention award and fourth consecutive Golden Mike public information award. There was a brief overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard before KENNEDY returned to the fleet in February 1983. After refresher training in the Caribbean, which included a visit to Barbados, KENNEDY participated in the six-week United EffortfOcean Safari exercise with other NATO nation vessels in the North Atlantic and enjoyed a visit to Portsmouth, England. In September 1983 KENNEDY departed Norfolk, Virginia for Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. As a result of growing crisis in Beirut, Lebanon, KENNEDY was called upon to support the Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces there. This world situation defined ship's operations for the remainder of that year and into the next, with only brief visits in Haifa, Israel and Naples, Italy. In recognition, her crew was presented with the Navyf Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. Awards received simultaneously during this period were the ninth Battle 'E', the Silver Anchor award for retention, the RADM Flatley award for safety, and the Battenburg Cup for being the overall 'best' ship in the Atlantic Fleet. KENNEDY returned in May 1984. KENNEDY completed a major shock test that summer and excelled in this demanding situation, returning to Norfolk with no loss of operational capability. KENNEDY spent the winter in drydock at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for complex overhaul. Awards continued with her from 1984 into 1985 with the fifth Golden Anchor retention award, and Battle 'E' awards going to Deck, Navigation, Communications and Engineering Departments. The yard period's exemplary effort made in all areas of maintenance resulted in the inaugural Department of Defense Phoenix Award, signifying a level of maintenance excellence above all other DOD components world-wide. In July 1986, KENNEDY was a focal point of the world as she served as the center piece of a vast international naval armada during the International Naval Review in honor of the 100th AnniversaryfRededication of the Statue of Liberty. KENNEDY hosted President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan and many other dignitaries during the review. KENNEDY departed for the Mediterranean in August 1986. During this deployment, KENNEDY conducted numerous operations with our allies and visited ports in Spain, France, Italy and Israel. In early 1987 as tensions rose in the Middle East KENNEDY's deployment was extended and she took station off the coast of Lebanon until tensions subsided KENNEDY returned to Norfolk from this highly successful deployment in March 1987. i Hogg? f4iJ:1f5:1fgFg3'lS YI25ildrigCfi?1?S 23,ESg1CKTI3liI1?giJJglLcDliaKal Sliiipyard, KENNEDY made an extremely successful port visit to and their families during a msmorial mass for Presidenfjise Senator Ted Kennedy and Congressman Joseph P' Kennedy ir., . I I ennedy. Leaving Boston, KENNEDY headed for Portland, Maine ?4nEdrE112cEhDeg,sugceEsfgl pcort visit as the ship markeduthe first visit of an aircraft carrier to this city. In November 1987, S 18 1 CC CYCIW Cstabllshed another milestone of excellence as they trapped their 200,000 arrested landing. After spending the 1987 holiday season in Norfolk, Virginia, KENNEDY began preparations for her 12th ma'or de lo ment During Advanced Phase exercises in April 1988, KENNEDY was instrumental in rescuing and assisting tlie creiiv gf firel Higkgl-rIAJri:S1nB8liE1IgIEf-I1 5821 off the U.S. east coast. KENNEDY departed Norfolk, Virginia for deployment to the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY remains eager to meet new challen d ' ' - the Best, and ready to meet all mission tasking! ges an continue proving that USS JOHN F. KENNEDY is

Page 21 text:

S m N i '78 I ff, fjff jfjlf, SHIP ff' fvlfjff if CVA 61 ,f ' ffllffjyfxlf f

Page 23 text:

,