YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 28, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk departs its forward-deployed operating base of Yokosuka, Japan for the last time. Kitty Hawk is the oldest active warship and the only conventional-powered aircraft carrier in the Navy. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawn Cole (Released).
USS Kitty Hawk was the third "Forward Deployed" US aircraft carrier to be stationed in Yokosuka, following USS Midway and USS Independence and she will be relieved by the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier to be stationed in Yokosuka, the USS George Washington (CVN-73). Like Midway before her, Kitty Hawk leaves Yoko as the oldest active ship in the US inventory (next to the USS Constitution). With her age comes a respect of all those who served aboard and gained their "Navy Experience" on the decks of this great warship.
Kitty Hawk's next stop is Pearl Harbor, before her return to CONUS for her eventual decommissioning.
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