Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

KITTY HAWK AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF SEA POWER Carrier row at San Diego Her modern jets have a striking power in any area of the world without advance construction of air bases. Her flight deck is political- ly free, a condition not always ex- isting at U.S. bases on foreign soil. KITTY HAWK can move rapidly to the area where she is needed. An airstrip has to be used where it is built. From the instant she arrives, KITTY HAWK has full capability. Her crews and planes are ready to go. Fuel and other supplies are at hand. ' g aS L Sfe

Page 11 text:

In iIk- I ' liilad.-lplii;! Naval Slii|)yar(l, April li9, 19(il. KlT ' l ' li. l was coiiiinissionctl as thu world ' s largesi Iii|j and ihe first (.-arriu-r lo be armed witli KLiided niissiifs. 15, ()()() people watched Cap- tain WM ' . Brinfjlc i- ad his orders, assume command and set the first watch. After a fitting out period. KIl ■ ll. K set out for (luantanomo Bay in .lul - to pick up Carrier AirCjroup KLMV ' l-IN and sail on her cruise around ? luth America to join the I ' acihc P leet, her home. The trip around the Horn was one of goodwill as she made many friends hut yet demonstrated what a weapon she could be if the need arose. KITTY HAWK reached San Diego in early No- vamljer. The first weekend in port saw more than 2 ),()()() Californians cross her brows, a West Coast record for a ship visit. KITTY HAWK sj ent the winter months and into t ic Spring of 19()li in the yards at San Francisco. 1,1 May, only a week before returning to San Diego, ( ' a])taiii !5ringle ,ga ' e the helm to Captain W. 1,. Lurlis, .Ir. In September, she began her first Western Pacific uise as a unit of the U. S. SF.VENTH Fleet. This was the fu ' st time a true sujiercarrier hafl ' isited the Far Fast. It was a busy cruise. By the New Year 19()3, KITTY HA ' K had already been the scene of a .SFVENTH Fleet change of command, hosted mili- tary leaders of the free nations in Asia for a CINCPAC Weajions Demonstrations, participated in till ' amphibious exercise LONE EACJLE, and was visited by two goodwill ambassadors Francis Cardin- al Spellman and Bob Hope. On April 2. I96;5, KITTY HAWK returned to San Diego for a well deserved rest. But not for long for it was soon announced that President John F. Kennedy would make the ship a floating White House in early .Tune. He was due to come aboard to view the at sea phase of a FIRST Fleet Weapons Demonstration. On June 6. L ' nited States arrived. From KITTY HAWK ' S flight deck, the late President Kennedy viewed a task force of 18 ships and more than 10,000 men plus countless number of aircraft demonstrate the powerful deterrent force the Navy employs today. Before commissioninjj His official party included the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations and other meinbers of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, California Governor Pat Brown and many others who together made a whos who in civilian and military circles in Washington. KITTY HA T made many front pciges that day as more than 100 newsmen were aboard to capture the event in words and pictures. Also last summer was our annual Dependent s Cruise and the Middle Pacific Cruise to the lush shores of Hawaii. On October 17, KITTY HAWK left San Diego for WESTPAC once again. Her history for this cruise, a fitting climax to her year 1963, is contained here in pictures and words--a graphic story of a force that sails because of 12 important seconds 60 years ago.

Page 13 text:

Flexible .... she handles vith case even in narrow harbor:. Versatile. . . the blast of a terrier missile Mobile .... underway replenish- ments keep her trioving ■ pr l H H K r - H BSS %:P - . H EP ' Hhb