USS George H W Bush CVN77/USS Kitty Hawk CV63
At 1214 hours Eastern Standard Time today, the USS George H. W. Bush was commissioned into active service as a unit of The United States Atlantic Fleet. It is a notable occasion being the ship’s namesake was present at the ceremony. She will be a strong presence for many years to come. To All Hands, Welcome.
On January 31 the ship the Bush will be replacing will be decommissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. I made one full deployment and one partial deployment aboard the “Hawk” in The Argonauts of Attack Squadron One Four Seven. The full cruise was around the world, 3 January to 30 June 1987. She was not the last ship I went to sea on but the last one I made a deployment on. As is with things changes do come. However, now all three of the carriers I made deployments on are now gone from service. There are times I still miss going to sea on vessels such as Independence CV62, Ranger CV61 and Kitty Hawk CV63. Alot of you would not understand that and I don’t expect you to. Shipmate is a term that has been used loosely in the past. But Shipmates are there when you need them.
To All Shipmates past, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
