John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, a figure synonymous with naval service and Cold War vigilance, lends his name to the formidable aircraft carrier, the U.s.s. John F. Kennedy (CVA-67). Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy’s early life and distinguished service in the U.S. Navy during World War II laid the foundation for a legacy deeply intertwined with maritime power. This narrative explores the illustrious journey of the John F. Kennedy, from its keel laying to its decommissioning, charting its pivotal role in American naval history.
An aerial view of the attack carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) in the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing its flight deck loaded with aircraft, highlighting its role as a mobile airbase.
President Kennedy’s connection to the sea began long before the ship bearing his name was even conceived. Graduating cum laude from Harvard University in 1940, he swiftly entered naval service, receiving an ensign’s commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve in October 1941. His early assignments included the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington and the Sixth Naval District in Charleston, South Carolina. World War II saw Kennedy commanding Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 in the Solomon Islands, where he demonstrated extraordinary heroism after PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer. His leadership in rescuing survivors, including towing a badly burned crew member to safety, earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for valor.
Post-war, Kennedy transitioned to politics, eventually ascending to the presidency in 1960. His presidency was marked by a keen understanding of sea power’s strategic importance, particularly during the tense years of the Cold War. Speaking from the deck of the attack carrier Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in 1963, Kennedy articulated this vision, stating, “Events of October 1962 indicated, as they had all through history, that control of the sea means security. Control of the seas can mean peace. The United States must control the seas if it is to protect your security and those countries which stretch thousands of miles away that look to you on this ship and the sister ships of the United States Navy.” This profound belief in naval strength resonated throughout his administration and beyond, influencing the development and deployment of American sea power.
The John F. Kennedy, designated CVA-67, was authorized in 1963 and represented the culmination of attack carrier design at the time, incorporating lessons learned from previous Kitty Hawk-class carriers. Laid down on October 22, 1964, at Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, her construction marked a significant undertaking in American shipbuilding. Launched on May 27, 1967, sponsored by Miss Caroline Kennedy, the late President’s daughter, the carrier was officially commissioned on September 7, 1968, at Newport News, with Captain Earl P. Yates assuming command. This momentous occasion marked the entry of a powerful new vessel into the U.S. Navy fleet, ready to project American power across the globe.
Early Sea Trials and Mediterranean Deployment (1968-1969)
Following commissioning, the John F. Kennedy embarked on a period of intensive sea trials and evaluations. In October 1968, pilots from the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, joined the ship to assess its catapults and arresting gear, conducting inaugural flight operations. Commander Harold L. Marr achieved the first arrested landing on October 22, piloting a Douglas A-4C Skyhawk. Captain Yates himself piloted the ship’s carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft, Caroline II, for the first unassisted takeoff, while an A-4C from Patuxent River executed the first catapult-assisted launch. The same day, the John F. Kennedy conducted its first underway replenishment with the oiler Waccamaw (AO-109), demonstrating its logistical capabilities.
Further trials in late October 1968 included refueling destroyers and highline evolutions, followed by deperming at Craney Island. Preparations then commenced for shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. En route to Guantanamo in early November 1968, the carrier recovered Attack Squadron (VA) 81’s A-4Cs. At Guantanamo, the John F. Kennedy engaged in rigorous drills, including daily general quarters and both day and night flight operations. Liberty calls at Montego Bay, Jamaica, provided brief respites from the intense training schedule.
December 1968 saw operational readiness inspections (ORI) concluding her Guantanamo period. Despite minor discrepancies, the John F. Kennedy received a satisfactory overall grade, highlighting the ship and crew’s readiness for deployment. A post-shakedown availability at her builder’s yard from December 1968 to February 1969 addressed deficiencies, particularly in the weapons handling system.
February 1969 marked the start of air wing qualifications and systems checks in the Virginia Capes operating area. Tragedy struck on February 19 when an RA-5C Vigilante plunged into the water after launch, claiming the life of Lieutenant Commander Richard A. “Dick” Bright. Another accident followed on February 20, when an F-4J Phantom II was lost during a night landing attempt. Despite these losses, rescue efforts by Seasprite helicopters and crew were successful in retrieving crew members from both incidents, showcasing the carrier’s robust emergency response capabilities.
Following further qualifications and exercises, the John F. Kennedy returned to Norfolk in March 1969 for final preparations for its first major deployment. Catapult issues delayed departure until April 5, 1969, when she set sail as flagship for Rear Admiral Leroy V. Swanson, Commander Carrier Division 2. After type training and an ORI, the John F. Kennedy departed for the Mediterranean on April 14, 1969, with Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) embarked, reporting for duty with the Sixth Fleet on April 21. Soviet surveillance aircraft shadowed the carrier even before reaching Rota, Spain, a precursor to the constant Cold War monitoring that would become routine.
Reaching Rota on April 22, 1969, the John F. Kennedy relieved Forrestal (CVA-59), and Rear Admiral Pierre N. Charbonnet, Commander, Carrier Striking Forces, Sixth Fleet, shifted his flag to the John F. Kennedy. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on April 22, commencing its first Mediterranean deployment in the midst of Cold War tensions. Soviet naval vessels and aircraft maintained close observation throughout her deployment, a constant reminder of the geopolitical stakes at play.
Cold War Operations in the Mediterranean (1969-1970)
The John F. Kennedy‘s maiden Mediterranean deployment in 1969 was characterized by a demanding operational tempo, punctuated by exercises, port visits, and constant Soviet naval and air presence. After relieving Forrestal, the carrier engaged in refueling and replenishment operations, observed by Soviet intelligence ships and cruisers, showcasing the tense but professional interactions between the two superpowers’ navies. Maritime courtesies were exchanged, reflecting the established protocols of Cold War naval encounters.
Exercises became a recurring theme, starting with Mini-National Week in May 1969, simulating surveillance and responses to hostile forces. NATO exercises, such as Quickdraw, involving Italian naval forces, provided further training opportunities, testing reaction times and emergency scramble procedures. National Week III followed, with Soviet Badger reconnaissance aircraft actively monitoring the carrier task force.
Port visits offered brief periods of respite. Genoa, Italy, provided liberty and upkeep in late May 1969. June 1969 saw operations with the French Naval Mediterranean Squadron in TransitEx, followed by a port call at Porto Vecchio, Corsica. A Sea Sparrow missile-firing exercise highlighted the ship’s defensive capabilities. Naples, Italy, and a dependents’ cruise in June offered further opportunities for rest and recreation.
Accidents, however, were an ever-present risk. Flight deck operations, even routine ones, were inherently dangerous, as illustrated by a serious injury to Aviation Ordnanceman 3d Class Roger D. Winters in June 1969. Helicopter rescues became a recurring event, with HC-2’s Seasprite helicopters frequently called upon to retrieve downed aircrew and even sailors who fell overboard from other vessels in the task force. These rescues highlighted the crucial role of search and rescue teams in carrier operations.
More exercises, including further Quickdraw drills with Italian forces, and combat readiness assessments filled the summer of 1969. Incidents continued, including a Douglas EA-1F Spad ditching near the ship in late June, requiring another complex helicopter rescue operation. Port visits to Taranto and Corfu, Italy, and Greece, offered brief periods ashore.
July 1969 saw further exercises and Soviet naval shadowing, with a Soviet Kashin-class guided missile light cruiser joining the formation. A Grumman C-1A Trader crash during carrier qualifications in July resulted in another search and rescue operation, tragically unsuccessful in locating the pilot. Golfo di Palmas, Sardinia, and Naples again provided port calls in July and August.
August 1969 brought increased tensions in the Mediterranean basin, triggered by a coup in Libya and instability in Lebanon. The John F. Kennedy was diverted to contingency operations off the Libyan coast, cutting short a planned visit to Cannes, France. Soviet naval presence intensified, with Badger aircraft and a Sverdlov-class guided missile cruiser shadowing the carrier during these sensitive operations.
September 1969 saw continued contingency operations off Libya, punctuated by the loss of an RA-5C Vigilante during a catapult launch, both crew members successfully rescued by a Seasprite. A port visit to Naples followed in mid-September. Anti-submarine warfare exercises with submarines and NATO exercises like Diamond Blue and Deep Furrow filled the fall of 1969. Tragically, Deep Furrow saw the loss of two CVW-1 pilots and aircraft in a single day in October.
October 1969 also witnessed a flight deck accident when an RA-5C Vigilante broke free of its tie-downs, tragically injuring Airman Roy E. Shaw. ASW transit exercises and a port visit to Athens in November preceded further exercises and a week-long stay in Malta. November concluded with a transit of the Strait of Messina and a visit from US Ambassador to Germany Kenneth Rush.
December 1969 saw a port call in Barcelona, Spain, followed by a return to St. Paul’s Bay, Malta, and then Pollensa Bay, Majorca, where the John F. Kennedy was relieved by Forrestal, concluding its first Mediterranean deployment and setting course for home. The embarked air group flew off on December 20, marking the final carrier operations for Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 33 and its Douglas EA-1F Spads. The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk just before Christmas 1969, completing a demanding and eventful first deployment.
F-4 Phantom II fighter jets prepared for launch on the USS John F. Kennedy’s flight deck in the Mediterranean Sea, illustrating the constant readiness posture of the carrier during its deployments.
Continued Mediterranean Service and System Upgrades (1970-1974)
1970 began with carrier qualifications in January, followed by a period of repair and maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from late January to May. A pre-administrative readiness inspection and a fast cruise preceded the completion of the restricted availability in late May 1970. Nuclear weapons acceptance inspection in late May prepared the John F. Kennedy for a broader range of operational capabilities.
June 1970 saw refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, followed by an administrative readiness inspection. July and August 1970 were spent in training and upkeep, punctuated by a visit to Boston in early August. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and other Kennedy family members, including Caroline Kennedy, the ship’s sponsor, visited the vessel during this time, reinforcing the personal connection between the ship and the Kennedy family.
Another RA-5C Vigilante accident occurred in August 1970 during operations en route to Norfolk, with the crew successfully rescued by an HC-2 HH-2D helicopter. Captain Ferdinand B. Koch relieved Captain Lake as commanding officer in early September 1970.
September 1970 saw a planned Caribbean ORI deployment redirected to the Mediterranean due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. Fighting between Jordanian and Palestinian forces, and Syrian intervention, prompted the Sixth Fleet alert and the John F. Kennedy‘s rapid redeployment. Although Syrian forces withdrew from Jordan by late September, the carrier remained in the Mediterranean, underscoring the fleet’s role as a rapid response force in times of crisis.
During the 1970-1971 Mediterranean deployment, the John F. Kennedy visited numerous ports, including Athens, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, and Malta. The Bob Hope Christmas Show visited the ship in Souda Bay in December 1970, providing holiday entertainment for the crew. A New Year’s Day 1971 rescue mission saw an HC-2 HH-2D helicopter retrieving a Canadian mountain climber injured near Delphi, Greece, demonstrating the carrier’s versatility beyond military operations.
January 1971 saw operations with guided missile frigate Dahlgren (DLG-12) in the Ionian Sea, observed by a Soviet Kashin-class destroyer. A port visit to Barcelona in late January and early February preceded departure from the Sixth Fleet in early February 1971. Secretary of the Navy Chaffee visited the ship while at sea in February.
NATO exercises in the North Atlantic followed during the transit home, including refueling with British and Dutch naval vessels. The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in early March 1971, concluding a six-month, 35,127-mile Mediterranean odyssey that had begun as a planned two-week Caribbean training cruise.
April 1971 flight operations off the Virginia Capes were marred by an explosion and a fatal A-7 Corsair crash. Operation Exotic Dancer IV and a 64-hour endurance exercise (EndurEx) followed in early May. Training continued throughout the summer and early fall of 1971, in areas ranging from Guantanamo Bay to Jacksonville, Florida, and Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Robert H. Gormley relieved Captain Koch as commanding officer in October 1971.
December 1971 saw the John F. Kennedy return to the Mediterranean, relieving America (CVA-66) at Rota. A New Year’s Eve dairy bar on the after mess decks provided festive cheer for the crew while in Barcelona. 1972 saw continued Mediterranean operations during a period of relative international stability. Exercises, including PhiblEx 8-72, National Week XII, Quickdraw, Dawn Patrol, Operation Red Eye, and National Week XIII, filled the year, interspersed with port calls across the Mediterranean. Lord Balniel, UK Minister of State for Defense, visited the ship in April 1972.
Aircraft accidents continued to plague operations. An A-6 canopy accident in April 1972 claimed the life of Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 3d Class Mark W. Raymond. An A-6 crash during a conventional ordnance exercise in April resulted in the loss of two aircrew. Three more CVW-1 aircraft were lost before the year’s end, including an A-7, an HH-2D Seasprite, and another A-7. Helicopter rescues were again successful in retrieving downed aircrew in several of these incidents.
September 1972 saw participation in NATO Exercise Strong Express, during which the John F. Kennedy crossed the Arctic Circle for the first time. Secretary of the Navy John Warner and Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., visited the ship during Strong Express. Cross-deck operations with British carrier HMS Ark Royal highlighted NATO interoperability. Four A-7s were cross-decked to Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) in the Mediterranean, and vice-versa, further demonstrating allied cooperation.
Returning to Norfolk in early October 1972, the John F. Kennedy underwent a restricted availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from November 1972 to January 1973, including catapult water brake rework and EA-6B handling modifications. Captain John C. Dixon, Jr. relieved Captain Gormley as commanding officer in November 1972.
Emerging from overhaul in early January 1973, the John F. Kennedy, initially slated for Southeast Asia deployment, was redirected to the Mediterranean in April following the Paris Peace Accords. ORI and exercises preceded departure for the Mediterranean in April 1973, relieving Intrepid (CVS-11) at Rota. Spanish Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sophia visited the ship at Rota, observing flight operations and commenting on the carrier’s cleanliness.
Five months of Mediterranean operations followed, including port visits and exercises. The ship lost its starboard anchor at Cannes in June, recovering it with salvage assistance a week later. At Palma in September, the John F. Kennedy‘s fire and rescue detail extinguished an engine room fire on a nearby yacht, showcasing the crew’s readiness for emergencies beyond their own ship.
Transiting the Strait of Gibraltar in September 1973, the John F. Kennedy participated in NATO exercise Swift Move in the North Sea in early October, again crossing the Arctic Circle. A fire in a storeroom at Edinburgh, Scotland, damaged catapult systems, but ship’s force repairs were completed within 72 hours.
Originally slated to return home after Edinburgh, the Yom Kippur War in October 1973 led to the John F. Kennedy‘s redeployment to the Mediterranean. Ordered to a holding area west of Gibraltar, the carrier assumed an alert posture, ready to respond to the Middle East crisis. When the U.S. initiated a program to airlift A-4 Skyhawks to Israel, the John F. Kennedy was earmarked to support those flights if required.
In late October 1973, the John F. Kennedy re-entered the Mediterranean, reflecting a heightened U.S. military alert status due to Soviet actions in the Middle East. Contingency weapons loads were prepared as tensions remained high. The carrier operated south of Crete into mid-November, alongside Independence (CVA-62) and Franklin D. Roosevelt, before briefly putting in to Souda Bay in mid-November.
Normal Sixth Fleet alert status resumed in mid-November 1973, and the John F. Kennedy finally set course for home, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar in late November and reaching Norfolk in early December 1973, completing a deployment extended and redirected by Middle East crises.
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) pictured in the Mediterranean Sea in January 1971, showcasing its continuous presence and operational tempo during the Cold War.
ASW Focus and Redesignation (1974-1976)
1974 began with local operations out of Norfolk, followed by a shift to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in early March for a major overhaul in dry dock no. 8, lasting into June. This overhaul focused on enhancing the John F. Kennedy‘s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, reflecting the evolving Cold War naval landscape and the growing Soviet submarine threat.
Key upgrades included the installation of the Tactical Support Center (TSC) to support ASW missions, satellite read-out equipment (SROE) for real-time weather data, and the versatile avionics shop test (VAST) for aircraft maintenance. Jet blast deflectors were rebuilt to accommodate new aircraft types like the F-14 Tomcat and S-3A Viking, reflecting the carrier’s adaptation to new technologies.
Personnel changes accompanied the overhaul, with a 60% turnover in crew, including Captain Dixon, relieved by Captain William A. Gureck in May 1974. Leaving dry dock in late June 1974, the John F. Kennedy remained in yard hands until late October, conducting a fast cruise and post-repair trials in late October and early November. A VF-32 Tomcat made the first F-14 landing on board during these trials.
Overhaul completion in late November 1974 saw the John F. Kennedy return to Pier 12, Naval Station, Norfolk. A significant redesignation occurred on December 1, 1974, when the ship’s designation changed from CVA-67 to CV-67, reflecting its shift from an attack carrier to a multi-mission carrier, with enhanced ASW capabilities.
The first half of 1975 focused on preparing for a return to the Mediterranean in her new CV configuration. Refresher training at Guantanamo Bay in January 1975 was followed by air wing qualifications in the Jacksonville operating area in February. Rear Admiral Ronald J. Hays, ComCarGru 4, broke his flag in John F. Kennedy in early February. The first fleet-assigned S-3A Viking carrier landing occurred in late February 1975, marking the integration of the new ASW aircraft into the air wing.
Type training in the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville operating areas continued through March and April 1975. Another SH-3D Sea King emergency water landing occurred in April, with the aircraft recovered. Major General Sayed Javad of the Imperial Iranian Air Force observed F-14 Tomcat operations, highlighting international military interest in the new fighter.
Exercise Agate Punch in April 1975 tested amphibious operations and the carrier’s close air support capabilities, with the John F. Kennedy operating continuously for 253 hours in a simulated threat environment. Tragically, a VA-34 Intruder crashed during the exercise, claiming the life of Lieutenant (jg) Arthur K. Bennett III.
Further type training off Jacksonville in May 1975 was punctuated by an unsuccessful catapult launch and the loss of a VA-34 KA-6D, with the crew rescued by HS-11 Sea King helicopters. Exercise Solid Shield in late May and early June 1975 prepared the John F. Kennedy for joint combat/amphibious operations. Rear Admiral Justin E. Langille III, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group 12, broke his flag on board in late June, replacing Rear Admiral Hays.
The John F. Kennedy departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean in late June 1975 with CVW-1 embarked, now featuring two F-14A Tomcat squadrons and an S-3A Viking squadron, reflecting the carrier’s new multi-mission focus. En route to Rota, Independence Day 1975 saw Soviet Tu-95 Bear-D aircraft intercepted by Corsairs due to temporary Tomcat engine issues, illustrating the constant Cold War aerial sparring. Refresher training preceded arrival at Rota in early July 1975, where the John F. Kennedy relieved Franklin D. Roosevelt and began its next Mediterranean deployment.
1975-1976 Mediterranean Deployment and Belknap Collision
The John F. Kennedy‘s 1975-1976 Mediterranean deployment was marked by a high operational tempo, numerous exercises, and a significant collision with the guided missile cruiser Belknap (CG-26). After relieving Franklin D. Roosevelt, the John F. Kennedy began operations in mid-July 1975, exercising with Spanish air forces. Rear Admiral Eugene J. Carroll, Commander Task Force 60, broke his flag in John F. Kennedy in mid-July.
August 1975 saw participation in National Week exercises and contingency planning for a potential evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon due to civil strife. A port visit to Bari, Italy, was disrupted by high winds, requiring helicopter airlift of liberty parties and mail. Another cycle of operations preceded a Naples port visit in late August 1975.
September 1975 saw preparations for NATO exercise Deep Express in the Aegean Sea and Turkey, coinciding with continued tensions in Lebanon. The John F. Kennedy stood on 36-hour alert for potential evacuation operations, providing intelligence support to Marine and amphibious task group commanders. A port call at Catania, Sicily, in early October was followed by a National Week exercise with Italian and NATO forces.
October 1975 brought transit to the Strait of Messina and cyclic operations in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tragedy struck on November 22, 1975, when the Belknap, maneuvering to take station during night flight operations, collided with the John F. Kennedy approximately 70 nautical miles east of Sicily. The John F. Kennedy‘s overhanging angled deck ripped into Belknap‘s superstructure, causing a severe fuel fire on the cruiser and a fire on the carrier’s flight deck.
Flight deck firefighters quickly contained the John F. Kennedy‘s fire, but the Belknap suffered extensive damage and a major inferno amidships. Boats from other vessels, including destroyers Claude V. Ricketts and Bordelon, and frigate Pharris, rushed to assist the stricken cruiser, rescuing wounded sailors and providing firefighting support under hazardous conditions, including exploding ammunition. HS-11 Sea King helicopters played a crucial role in medical evacuation and rescue operations.
An insignia patch of USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67), embodying the ship’s identity and service, often displaying the motto “date, nolite, rocare”.
Sadly, the collision resulted in fatalities and injuries on both ships. Yeoman 2d Class David A. Chivalette of CVW-1 died on John F. Kennedy, while Belknap lost seven men. Despite the damage, the John F. Kennedy was deemed “operationally capable” and resumed flight operations within two days, using catapults one and two and a manually operated visual landing aid system (MOVLAS) due to damage to the Fresnel lens.
Rear Admiral Donald D. Engen, Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, investigated the collision. A port visit to Naples followed in late November 1975, and Captain John R. C. Mitchell relieved Captain Gureck as commanding officer during this port call. Early December 1975 saw cyclic operations in the western Mediterranean, a visit to Palma, and exercises with Spanish forces.
December 1975 concluded with Phiblex 6-76, delivering live ordnance against the Capodanna target peninsula. A Christmas port call in Barcelona, Spain, preceded a return to sea for proficiency flight operations, followed by another Barcelona port visit over New Year’s.
Operations resumed in early January 1976, including familiarization exercises with French forces and the Dassault Mirage F.1. A port visit to Malaga preceded departure from the Mediterranean in mid-January 1976. Turnover with Saratoga off Rota marked the end of the deployment, and the John F. Kennedy began its voyage back to Norfolk. En route home, F-14 Tomcats intercepted and escorted Soviet Bear reconnaissance aircraft, showcasing the new fighter’s capabilities. The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in late January 1976, concluding a deployment dominated by the Belknap collision but also marked by operational resilience and continued Cold War vigilance.
North Atlantic and Mediterranean Deployments (1976-1979)
Following her return to Norfolk in early 1976, the John F. Kennedy underwent systems upgrades and intensive training. She received an interim tactical flag command center (ITFCC) and compartmented mode processing system (CMPS) equipment, serving as a testbed for these enhancements. Type training in mid-1976 included operations with British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Soviet Bear reconnaissance flights continued to shadow the carrier, with F-14 escorts becoming routine.
September 1976 saw deployment to the North Atlantic with CVW-1 embarked, participating in NATO exercises Joint Effort, Teamwork 1976, and Bonded Item. These major fleet exercises involved approximately 200 ships from NATO nations, practicing and updating operating procedures. Port visits to Edinburgh, Wilhelmshaven, Portsmouth, and Brest punctuated the exercises.
Bear aircraft again demonstrated Soviet interest in NATO exercises, with F-14 intercepts becoming commonplace. In mid-September 1976, VF-32 lost a Tomcat in an accident during flight operations north of Scotland, with the crew ejecting safely. Later the same day, her old consort Bordelon collided with the John F. Kennedy during night refueling, causing damage to the destroyer and injuries to six men, but minimal damage to the carrier. HS-11 helicopters again performed medical evacuation missions in response to the collision.
Soviet surveillance continued, with Bear and Badger aircraft, and oceanographic research vessels, monitoring the NATO exercises. In late September 1976, operating in the North Atlantic off Norway, the John F. Kennedy entered the Arctic Sea, commemorating the occasion with the “Order of the Blue Nose” ceremony and later painting her bull nose blue.
During Bonded Item, John F. Kennedy hosted French Vought F-8 Crusader aircraft as part of an exchange program, with VF-32 Tomcats engaging in mock combat with their French counterparts, enhancing aircrew training. Returning to Norfolk in early November 1976, the John F. Kennedy remained in port for the rest of the year.
January 1977 saw deployment to the Mediterranean, relieving Nimitz (CVN-68) at Rota. Rear Admiral Carroll, ComCarGru 2, shifted his flag to John F. Kennedy. NATO Exercise Locked Gate 1977, involving 40 ships from multiple NATO nations, commenced in late January, focusing on control of the Strait of Gibraltar and electronic warfare operations. F-14As from CVW-1 intercepted Bear-D aircraft southwest of Gibraltar during the exercise.
A port visit to Naples in February 1977 was followed by participation in National Week XXII in March, pitting John F. Kennedy against Franklin D. Roosevelt in simulated combat exercises. The John F. Kennedy then became the first US carrier to call at Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, in late March and early April 1977, reflecting a slight thaw in Cold War tensions.
April 1977 saw participation in joint NATO and CENTO Exercise Shahbaz 1977, involving US Sixth Fleet units, Iranian, Pakistani, and Turkish air forces, and the UK Royal Air Force, exercising air defense coordination. Flight operations in the Aegean Sea followed, before a port visit to Alexandria, Egypt, in early May 1977, the first to Egypt in the ship’s history, marking a significant geopolitical shift.
May 1977 also saw participation in ASW exercise Dawn Patrol 1977, punctuated by the crash of an RF-8G reconnaissance aircraft, with the pilot rescued. Captain Jerry O. Tuttle relieved Captain Mitchell as commanding officer in mid-May 1977. A Naples port visit in mid-May to early June 1977 saw many crew family members arrive via charter flights, highlighting the human dimension of deployments.
June 1977 operations in the western Mediterranean included a near-collision incident during refueling with oiler Marias, narrowly avoided. Port visits to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca followed in June and July 1977. July operations included close air support for PhiblEx 7-77. A Malaga port visit preceded turnover with Saratoga at Rota in late July 1977, concluding the Mediterranean deployment. Rear Admiral William B. Warwick, ComCarGru 4, broke his flag in John F. Kennedy for the transit home. Bear-D aircraft again shadowed the carrier during the Atlantic crossing. The John F. Kennedy reached Mayport in early August 1977, remaining in port for the rest of the year.
January 1978 saw the John F. Kennedy awarded the Atlantic Fleet Battle Efficiency “E” for battle readiness. Training and qualifying programs filled the first half of 1978, followed by another Mediterranean deployment commencing in late June 1978. Soviet Bear-D aircraft again shadowed the carrier en route.
Turnover with Nimitz at Rota in early July 1978 preceded a Naples port visit in mid-July. Exercises BuzzardEx 78, National Week XXV, and ASW Week 8-78 followed in July and August. A Trieste, Italy, port visit in early August preceded flight operations in the Adriatic Sea. Souda Bay and Naples again provided brief port calls in August and September 1978.
September 1978 saw missile exercises and a port visit to Alexandria. Another Naples port call preceded participation in NATO exercise Display Determination 1978 in October, simulating an amphibious landing in northern Greece. Taranto, Italy, and Souda Bay provided port visits in October.
Palma de Mallorca hosted a two-week port visit in late October and early November 1978, including a dependents’ charter flight. Exercises with Spanish and French air forces followed in November, focusing on air strike, air-to-air combat, and ASW. Barcelona, Spain, provided a port visit in late November and early December 1978. Captain Lowell R. Myers relieved Captain Tuttle as commanding officer in late November 1978.
December 1978 concluded with missile exercises, bombing sorties at Capo Teulada, Sardinia, and a return to Naples for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. John F. Kennedy sailors volunteered at a local orphanage during the holiday period. Early January 1979 saw a port visit to Malaga, preceded by ASW exercises and refresher flight training. The John F. Kennedy reached Rota in late January 1979, conducting exercises with her relief, Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), before setting course for Norfolk. Rear Admiral Robert L. Walters, Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 8, broke his flag in the ship for the homeward voyage. The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in early February 1979, completing another demanding Mediterranean deployment.
Overhaul and 1980s Deployments (1979-1986)
Early February 1979 saw a minor fire break out on board the John F. Kennedy in port, quickly extinguished. Ordnance offload and a shift to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul followed in March 1979. Dry dock no. 8 became the John F. Kennedy‘s home for the overhaul, which included significant upgrades.
ASW module designation for the Tactical Support Center, installation of an integrated carrier acoustic prediction system, NATO Sea Sparrow missile system replacement of BPDMS launchers, radar updates, and improvements to air traffic control and food service facilities were among the overhaul projects.
Arson incidents disrupted shipyard routine in April and June 1979, causing damage and tragically resulting in the death of a civilian yard employee in April. Security was increased to prevent further incidents. The John F. Kennedy shifted from drydock to Pier 5 in mid-July 1979 for the remainder of the yard work.
Fast cruise and dockside trials in December 1979 preceded underway operations in late 1979 and early 1980, preparing for the next deployment. Post-repair trials, refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, a Boston visit for OpSail 80 festivities, and a change of command ceremony in June 1980, where Captain Diego E. Hernandez relieved Captain Tuttle, marked the pre-deployment period.
August 1980 saw deployment to the Mediterranean, with CVW-1 embarked. Tomcats intercepted a Bear-D en route. Malaga and Toulon provided initial port visits in August 1980. Large-scale strike planning exercises with the French Air Force preceded a Naples port visit in early September 1980.
Exercise National Week XXIX in September 1980 in the central Mediterranean saw Libyan Air Force planes engaging in unprecedented sorties near the John F. Kennedy Battle Group, requiring F-14 intercepts. Augusta Bay and Barcelona hosted brief port calls in September 1980.
Exercise Display Determination 80 in October 1980 involved joint combined raids in Italy and engagements with French carrier Clemenceau. Alexandria and Haifa provided port visits in October 1980, with Israelis hosting crew members in their homes during the Haifa call. Athens hosted a port visit in late October and early November 1980.
Exercise Poop Deck in November 1980, involving USAF F-15s and F-4s as adversary aircraft, preceded a Palma de Mallorca port visit in mid-November, including a dependents charter flight. Joint service operations in the central Mediterranean followed in December 1980, leading up to a Naples port call for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Cardinal Terence Cardinal Cooke celebrated Mass on board in December 1980.
January 1981 saw operations in the western and central Mediterranean, including carquals and ASW exercises. Exercise National Week XXX in mid-January 1981 focused on battle group AAW and AEW capabilities, hampered by poor weather. Souda Bay and Athens hosted port calls in January 1981. Combat readiness assessment exercises west of Crete followed in late January 1981.
February 1981 saw flight operations in the central and western Mediterranean, punctuated by port visits to Naples and Valencia, Spain. Dasix exercises with French air forces simulated strike and air defense warfare. Amphibious exercises off Carbonaras, Spain, and dissimilar air combat training with USAF F-4s followed in February 1981.
March 1981 saw preparations for a return to port, including a Malaga port visit and a “Tiger Cruise” for dependents during the voyage home. John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in late March 1981, concluding a deployment marked by Cold War tensions and extensive exercises.
April 1981 was spent preparing for a restricted availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, lasting from late April to August 1981. Post-repair trials and upkeep followed in August 1981. Captain D. Bruce Cargill relieved Captain Hernandez as commanding officer in late August 1981. Refresher training in the Jacksonville/Guantanamo operating areas followed in late August and early September 1981.
October 1981 saw carquals and type training off the Virginia Capes. Tragedy struck in late October 1981 during CVW-3 fly-on operations when an EA-6B Prowler crashed, claiming the lives of all three crew members. A memorial service was held on board.
Exercise ReadEx 1-82 in the Caribbean in late October and November 1981 involved over 30 ships and 200 aircraft from the Atlantic Fleet and Royal Navy, practicing dual carrier battle group operations. Soviet Bear aircraft monitored the exercise. A St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, port visit in early November 1981 was followed by further training, including air wing strikes against targets on Vieques and advanced anti-ship cruise missile exercises.
November 1981 saw adversary operations against Dwight D. Eisenhower and joint force operations involving US and British naval and air forces, demonstrating long-range force defense capabilities and employing USAF KC-10 Extender in-flight refueling for carrier-based CAP. An ORE in early December 1981 preceded a return to Norfolk in mid-December, concluding a year of intensive training and exercises.
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) returning to Norfolk, Virginia on April 7, 1993, after another deployment, welcomed home by families and supporters.
Global Deployments and Operations (1982-1984)
The John F. Kennedy deployed in early January 1982, transiting the Atlantic and entering the Mediterranean in mid-January. A Malaga port visit preceded participation in National Week XXXI in the Mediterranean. The John F. Kennedy transited the Suez Canal in early February 1982, with Egyptian and US Embassy staff embarked, marking her first passage through the canal and beginning a deployment that extended far beyond the Mediterranean.
February 1982 was spent in the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea, crossing the equator for the first time in early March and initiating “Pollywogs” into “Shellbacks.” A flight deck cookout with authorized beer marked a break from routine after 45 days at sea, a rare exception to the “dry ship” policy.
Perth, Australia, hosted a port visit in mid-March 1982, followed by routine operations and exercises. Mombasa, Kenya, provided the first African port visit in early May 1982. President Mohamed Siad Barre of Somalia visited the John F. Kennedy in early May 1982, underscoring US-Somali relations. Commodore John Gunning, Commander, Sultan of Oman’s Navy, and Captain John De Winton, Chief of Staff (Designate), Sultan of Oman’s Navy also visited in mid-May 1982, reflecting close cooperation with Omani forces.
Transit of the Strait of Bab-El-Mandeb in early June 1982 led to a return to the Red Sea and transit of the Suez Canal. A Haifa port visit, anticipated by many crew members with dependents waiting, was cancelled due to the outbreak of the Lebanon War in June 1982. Israeli forces entered Lebanon in Operation Peace for Galilee, and the John F. Kennedy was ordered to a position off the Lebanese coast, ready for potential evacuation of American citizens from Beirut. The planned Haifa port visit was cancelled, and the ship remained on station until relieved by Dwight D. Eisenhower in mid-June 1982.
Toulon, France, hosted a port visit in late June 1982, followed by participation in exercise Daily Double with French forces. Malaga provided a final port call before a “Tiger Cruise” home, reaching Norfolk in mid-July 1982, concluding a global deployment that had spanned the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea, and been unexpectedly redirected by the Lebanon War.
August and September 1982 saw carquals off the Virginia Capes. Admiral Wesley L. McDonald relieved Admiral Harry D. Train II as Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, on board the John F. Kennedy in late September 1982. A major overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard commenced in mid-October 1982, lasting until February 1983.
Post-overhaul sea trials and carquals in February 1983 preceded refresher training at Guantanamo Bay in early March. Barbados hosted a port visit in mid-March 1983. Training in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico operating areas continued until early April 1983. Captain Gary F. Wheatley relieved Commodore Cargill as commanding officer in mid-April 1983.
Exercise Solid Shield 83 in late April and early May 1983 tested multi-phase and joint operations off the Carolinas and Georgia coasts. Carquals and exercise United Effort followed in May 1983. Exercise Ocean Safari, a major NATO exercise in the Central and Eastern Atlantic, took place in June 1983, involving 90 ships from ten nations. Portsmouth, England, hosted a port visit in mid-June 1983.
Returning to Norfolk in early July 1983, the John F. Kennedy conducted carquals and an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) in July 1983. September 1983 saw departure for another deployment, with Washington Post correspondent George C. Wilson embarked to chronicle the voyage. Carquals preceded a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, port visit in mid-October 1983. Crossing the Equator in early October initiated over 2,000 “Pollywogs” into “Shellbacks.”
En route to the Mediterranean in late October 1983, news of the Beirut Marine barracks bombing reached the ship. The John F. Kennedy entered the Mediterranean ahead of schedule, with a planned Marseille port visit cancelled. Tragedy struck VF-31 in early November 1983 with two F-14 losses in three days, claiming the lives of Lieutenant (jg) Cole P. O’Neil and Commander John C. Scull.
A C-1A Trader crash at sea in late November 1983 claimed another life. Despite these losses, John F. Kennedy F-14s began TARPS missions over Lebanon in late November 1983, gathering intelligence for gunfire support ships offshore. A planned Alexandria port visit and Suez Canal transit were cancelled, and the ship returned to Haifa in late November 1983.
Combat operations commenced in early December 1983, with John F. Kennedy and Independence aircraft striking Syrian anti-aircraft and artillery positions in Lebanon in retaliation for SAM and AAA fire against reconnaissance flights. One John F. Kennedy A-6E was shot down, with pilot Lieutenant Mark A. Lange killed and bombardier/navigator Lieutenant Robert O. Goodman captured by Syrian forces.
Secretary of Defense Casper W. Weinberger authorized an indefinite stay in the eastern Mediterranean for the John F. Kennedy in mid-December 1983. Support for the MNF continued into 1984. A brief port visit to Naples in January 1984 preceded a return to station off Lebanon. CVW-3 Intruders carried out air strikes against hostile artillery positions in Lebanon in early 1984.
NATO exercises near Cyprus in conjunction with British and French navies provided a brief respite in March 1984. A Naples port visit in April 1984 preceded relief by Saratoga and the John F. Kennedy‘s voyage home, reaching Norfolk in early May 1984, concluding a deployment dominated by the Lebanon crisis and combat operations.
Overhaul and Final Deployments (1984-2000)
May and June 1984 saw a Boston port visit for “Parade of Sail” and a “Tiger Cruise” home. Trials and qualifications filled June, July, and August 1984. Vice President George H.W. Bush visited the John F. Kennedy in early September 1984. Captain William R. McGowen relieved Commodore Wheatley as commanding officer in early September 1984. Testing of the new F/A-18 Hornet followed.
Another major overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard commenced in late September 1984, lasting until September 1985 and costing $165 million. Upgrades included close-in weapons system (CIWS) mounts, an automatic carrier landing system (ACLS), target acquisition system, and surface ship torpedo defense (SSTD). The John F. Kennedy returned to the fleet in late September 1985, commencing sea trials and carquals in early October. Port Lauderdale, Florida, hosted a port visit in mid-October 1985, with 25,000 visitors touring the ship.
Target of opportunity exercises with attack submarines Boston (SSN-703) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN-708) followed in October 1985, showcasing the carrier’s ASW capabilities. November 1985 saw a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, and ASW exercises with Bonefish (SSN-582) and Honolulu (SSN-718). A surprise raid by Marine All Weather Attack Squadron (VMA(AW)) 533 was detected and handled by deck-launched interceptors in late November 1985.
Fleet carquals in December 1985 and ASW exercises with submarines L. Mendel Rivers (SSN-686) and Archerfish (SSN-678) concluded the year’s operations. Mayport hosted a brief port visit in mid-December 1985. Refresher training in the western Atlantic commenced in mid-January 1986, punctuated by a Mayport port call. Independent type training in the western Atlantic followed in March 1986, with a Port Everglades port visit. Catapult actuator replacement in Norfolk in mid-March 1986 caused a brief delay.
Carquals and a dependents’ day cruise followed in April 1986. Captain John A. Moriarty relieved Captain McGowen as commanding officer in early May 1986. Advanced training in the Puerto Rican operating area commenced in early May 1986, followed by a New York City port visit in early July 1986 for the International Naval Review in honor of the Statue of Liberty’s centennial. President Ronald Reagan visited the ship on Independence Day.
A “Tiger Cruise” home preceded more local operations and preparations for a Mediterranean deployment. Hurricane Gloria in August 1986 briefly threatened the eastern seaboard but passed swiftly. The John F. Kennedy deployed to the Mediterranean as scheduled in mid-August 1986, with CVW-3 embarked, as the first carrier to deploy with the Mk. 65 Quickstrike mine. Rota, Benidorm, and Toulon provided initial port visits in August and September 1986.
Exercise Display Determination 86, a large-scale multi-national exercise, took place from September to October 1986, involving John F. Kennedy, Forrestal, and French carrier Foch. Haifa hosted a port visit in mid-October 1986. A “sinkex” in late October 1986 saw the sinking of ex-Italian frigate ex-Cigno. Tragedy struck again in late October 1986 with the loss of a CVW-3 S-3 and an A-6 in separate accidents during the Haifa-Trieste transit, claiming aircrew lives.
Port visits to Trieste and Naples followed in late October and early November 1986. Exercise Poopdeck and African Eagle with Moroccan and USAF units took place in November 1986. Cannes hosted a Thanksgiving port visit in November 1986. Exercise Dasix with French air forces followed in early December 1986. A Naples port visit in mid-December 1986 saw the largest work package ever conducted on a forward-deployed carrier. Cardinal Corado Cardinal Ursi visited the ship in mid-December 1986. Palma de Mallorca hosted Christmas and New Year’s Eve port visits.
January 1987 operations in the central Mediterranean saw a VF-14 F-14 collision with an A-6 during night landing, with the F-14 crew rescued. Cannes hosted another port visit in early January 1987. Exercise National Week in the western Mediterranean followed in late January 1987. Another VMA(AW)-533 A-6 was lost in mid-January 1987, claiming two lives.
A Malaga port visit in late January 1987 was cut short due to growing unrest in the Middle East, with the John F. Kennedy ordered to the eastern Mediterranean to join Nimitz off Lebanon. Dual carrier battle group operations commenced in early February 1987, followed by a Haifa port visit. The indefinite extension proved short-lived, and the John F. Kennedy set course for home in mid-February 1987, reaching Norfolk in early March 1987, concluding a deployment marked by a high operational tempo and tragedy.
Final Years and Decommissioning (1987-2007)
Following a month-long stand-down after the 1987 Mediterranean deployment, the John F. Kennedy underwent carquals and a restricted availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from May to August 1987. Post-availability sea trials and catapult certification followed in August 1987. Boston and Portland, Maine, hosted port visits in September 1987, with over 130,000 visitors in Boston.
Upkeep and preparations for filming the motion picture “Supercarrier” filled the fall of 1987. ABC film crews embarked to document carrier operations. Refresher training and filming took place in November 1987. Captain Hugh D. Wisely relieved Captain Moriarty as commanding officer in late January 1988.
February and March 1988 were spent preparing for the upcoming Mediterranean deployment. During carquals in late March 1988, a VF-32 F-14 crashed after catapult launch failure, with both crewmen rescued. Advance phase training off the Virginia Capes followed in April and May 1988. The submarine Bonefish (SS-582) suffered a major fire and explosions during exercises in late April 1988, forcing abandonment. The John F. Kennedy and guided missile frigate Carr (FFG-52) played key roles in rescuing the Bonefish crew, with HS-7 helicopters performing numerous rescue flights.
A Port Everglades, Florida, port visit followed the Bonefish incident in May 1988. Battle group training off the Virginia Capes and Bahamas preceded a return to Norfolk in late June 1988. Deployment to the Mediterranean commenced in early August 1988, with CVW-3 embarked. Turnover with Dwight D. Eisenhower in mid-August 1988 marked the start of another Mediterranean deployment.
Exercise National Week ’88 and a Naples port visit followed in August 1988. Alexandria hosted a port visit in early September 1988. Exercise Sea Wind with Egyptian forces took place in early September 1988, enhancing US-Egyptian military cooperation. Toulon, France, hosted a port visit in mid-September 1988, followed by participation in NATO exercise Display Determination ’88 from late September to early October 1988. Antalya, Turkey, and Tunis, Tunisia, provided port visits in October 1988. Exercises off the Tunisian coast with Tunisian forces followed in late October 1988. Palma de Mallorca hosted a port visit in late October and early November 1988.
Naples hosted another port visit in mid-November 1988. Exercises with French carrier Foch and exercise African Eagle ’88 with Moroccan and USAF units followed in November and December 1988. Marseille, France, hosted a Thanksgiving port visit in November 1988. Palma de Mallorca hosted a mid-December 1988 port visit. Cannes hosted Christmas and New Year’s Eve port visits.
New Year’s Day 1989 saw departure from Cannes, bound for Haifa. On January 4, 1989, John F. Kennedy F-14s shot down two Libyan MiG-23 Floggers over international waters in the central Mediterranean after aggressive maneuvering by the Libyan aircraft. Haifa hosted a “heroes welcome” port visit in early January 1989, with intense media coverage of the MiG shootdown. Exercise Juniper Hawk with Israeli forces followed in early January 1989.
Turnover with Theodore Roosevelt in the Tyrrhenian Sea in mid-January 1989 preceded departure from the Mediterranean in late January 1989. Secretary of the Navy William L. Ball III congratulated the crew en route home, with President George H.W. Bush also expressing thanks for a “job well done.” The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in early February 1989, concluding a deployment highlighted by the MiG shootdown and Cold War aerial confrontation.
Post-deployment stand-down and a three-month industrial period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard followed in February and March 1989. Captain Herbert A. Browne, Jr. relieved Captain Wisely as commanding officer in May 1989. Yard work completion in mid-June 1989 saw the John F. Kennedy return to Norfolk Naval Station. Testing and training filled June and July 1989, including carquals in the Gulf of Mexico. Rear Admiral Jeremy D. Taylor, Chief of Naval Training, observed training carquals in mid-July 1989.
A Port Everglades, Florida, port visit in late August 1989 was marred by a minor elevator hydraulic system incident during public visiting. More training and carquals followed in September 1989. Coral Sea (CV-43)’s homecoming in late September 1989 saw the John F. Kennedy host the retiring carrier.
October 1989 exercises saw ASW operations against attack submarine Key West (SSN-722). Tragedy struck CVW-3 in early October 1989 with the loss of two aircraft in separate mishaps, claiming aircrew lives. Portland, Maine, hosted a port visit in mid-October 1989, followed by a “Tiger Cruise” home. Local operations and upkeep filled the remainder of 1989, with preparations for a potential Caribbean anti-drug deployment in early 1990.
Operation Desert Shield and Final Operations (1990-2007)
1990 began with preparations for a Caribbean anti-drug deployment, ultimately postponed. Advanced phase exercises and FleetEx 1-90 followed in January and February 1990, operating with Dwight D. Eisenhower in dual carrier exercises. Heavy seas off Cape Hatteras damaged CIWS and bow catwalks during FleetEx.
Repairs and tests in Norfolk followed in February and March 1990. Installation of the TFCC Information Management System (TIMS) enhanced command and control capabilities. Enterprise (CVN-65)’s homeport shift to Norfolk in March 1990 saw the John F. Kennedy host the nuclear carrier.
Exercises off the Virginia Capes and Puerto Rico operating area followed in April and May 1990, including a war-at-sea exercise with French carrier Foch. Admiral Leon A. Edney relieved Admiral Frank B. Kelso as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command, on board the John F. Kennedy in mid-May 1990. Exercises as “Orange” forces against Saratoga battle group in June 1990 preceded a New York City port visit for Fleet Week ’90 in late June 1990, with nearly 50,000 visitors touring the ship. A CBS “48 Hours” documentary crew embarked during operations off the North Atlantic coast in late June 1990.
Boston hosted a port visit in early July 1990, with over 130,000 visitors. A “Tiger Cruise” home followed, reaching Norfolk in mid-July 1990. Events in the Persian Gulf, however, dramatically altered the John F. Kennedy‘s planned schedule.
Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, triggered Operation Desert Shield. The John F. Kennedy received “short-fused” orders to prepare for deployment to the Persian Gulf. Loadout commenced in mid-August 1990, with Rear Admiral Riley D. Mixson, ComCarGru 2, embarking in mid-August 1990. CVW-3 aircraft recovered in mid-August 1990, and the John F. Kennedy set sail for local operations off the Virginia Capes, joined by her battle group.
War-at-sea defensive evolutions with the Second Fleet preceded departure for the Mediterranean in late August 1990. John F. Kennedy and Mississippi sprinted ahead, entering the Mediterranean in late August 1990. Augusta Bay hosted a brief port call for turnover with Dwight D. Eisenhower in early September 1990. Rear Admiral Mixson assumed command of TF 60, and the John F. Kennedy joined Dwight D. Eisenhower for National Week ’90 exercises in the central Mediterranean.
Early September 1990 saw the John F. Kennedy assume Mediterranean carrier duties. Alexandria hosted a brief port visit in mid-September 1990, cut short due to Iraqi overtures. Transit of the Suez Canal in mid-September 1990 led to entry into the Red Sea, joining Saratoga. Two carriers operated together before John F. Kennedy assumed Red Sea watch while Saratoga moved to the Mediterranean.
An SH-3H Sea King crash in late September 1990 near the ship resulted in a successful crew rescue. Exercises and training sorties continued throughout September and October 1990. Turnover with Saratoga in late October 1990 preceded transit back through the Suez Canal and a Gaeta, Italy, port call in early November 1990. Gaeta hosted a Sixth Fleet change of command ceremony on board.
A Gezelbache, Turkey, port visit in November 1990 preceded a Thanksgiving port call at Antalya, Turkey. Transit of the Suez Canal in early December 1990 marked the John F. Kennedy‘s third transit during the deployment. Turnover with Saratoga in the Red Sea followed in early December 1990. Royal Air Force officers visited to discuss air war planning with Iraq. Captain John P. Gay relieved Captain Browne as commanding officer in early December 1990, in a unique underway change of command ceremony in the Red Sea.
Media representatives from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, visited in mid-December 1990 to discuss morale and holiday plans. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, hosted a port visit in late December 1990, the first ever for a US aircraft carrier to Saudi Arabia. Vice President Dan Quayle visited on New Year’s Day 1991, demonstrating national solidarity. Exercise Camelot with Royal Saudi Arabian Navy and Air Force followed in early January 1991.
As war loomed, preparedness levels increased on board the John F. Kennedy. On January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced. The John F. Kennedy launched her first strikes on Iraq in the early hours of January 17, 1991, as part of the opening wave of air attacks, beginning a sustained combat role in the liberation of Kuwait. CVW-3 launched two major strikes of 80 sorties on the first day, encountering heavy but ineffective anti-aircraft fire over Baghdad.
John F. Kennedy settled into a routine of launching strike aircraft and supporting Operation Desert Storm. Intruders launched the first Standoff Land Attack Missiles in combat on January 19, 1991. Three carrier battle groups, including John F. Kennedy, Saratoga, and America, rotated duty in the Red Sea, with John F. Kennedy conducting six-day on-line cycles supporting strikes.
America detached from the Red Sea Battle Force in early February 1991, leaving John F. Kennedy and Saratoga to continue strike operations. Hopes for a quick end to the war were briefly raised by Iraqi overtures in mid-February 1991, but quickly dashed when Iraqi withdrawal conditions became clear. The John F. Kennedy continued launching air strikes through the week leading up to the ground assault on Kuwait in late February 1991. When combat operations ceased on February 28, 1991, the John F. Kennedy had launched 114 strikes and flown 2895 combat sorties, totaling 11,263.4 flight hours.
A final port visit to Hurghada, Egypt, in early March 1991 became the first ever for a US warship to that Egyptian port. Transit of the Suez Canal in mid-March 1991 began the voyage home. The John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in late March 1991, greeted by a massive homecoming celebration.
Post-deployment stand-down and a selected restricted availability period followed in April and May 1991. A summer 1991 SRA at Norfolk Naval Shipyard included major upgrades and overhauls, preparing the John F. Kennedy for continued service in a changing geopolitical landscape. Reconfiguration for F/A-18 Hornet maintenance, NTCS-A command and control system installation, flight deck resurfacing, and extensive engineering repairs were among the overhaul projects.
Emerging from overhaul in October 1991, the John F. Kennedy conducted sea trials and carquals. Port Everglades, Florida, hosted a port visit in mid-October 1991, celebrating the Navy’s birthday. A “Tiger Cruise” home followed, reaching Norfolk in mid-October 1991. Upkeep and preparations for a December 1991 underway period continued through November 1991.
December 1991 carquals saw the first carrier landings and takeoffs by the Navy’s new T-45 Goshawk trainer. Training Command carquals for T-2 Buckeye and TA-4 Skyhawk pilots followed. Holiday leave in mid-December 1991 concluded the year’s operations.
1992 began with underway operations in mid-January, conducting carquals and training off Jacksonville and Key West. A Discovery Channel video production crew embarked to film a feature on military satellite use. Return to Norfolk in late January 1992 preceded further underway periods in February and March 1992, including fleet carquals and a prospective commanding officer orientation cruise. Captain Timothy R. Beard relieved Captain Gay as commanding officer in early March 1992.
Refresher training preparations and exercises filled March and April 1992. Material condition drills and combat systems exercises were conducted, with some initial shortcomings in damage control preparedness addressed through focused training. A WJAR-TV news team embarked to document shipboard life for a Rhode Island audience.
May 1992 saw preparations for operational exercises and Fleet Week ’92 in New York City. A pre-Fleet Week overnight visit by New Yorkers and a visit by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the ship’s sponsor, and John F. Kennedy, Jr., preceded arrival in New York City for Fleet Week ’92 in mid-May 1992, kicking off the event. Over 14 ships from three navies participated in Fleet Week ’92, with Rear Admiral James A. Lair serving as senior officer present afloat (SOPA).
Fleet Week ’92 concluded in late May 1992, and the John F. Kennedy returned to Norfolk in late May 1992 after launching CVW-3 aircraft and undergoing a combat systems readiness review. A combat systems readiness review team completed its work in early June 1992, and an operational propulsion plant examination in mid-June 1992 certified the ship for two years’ steaming.
Preparations for composite training unit exercises (CompTUEx) filled June and July 1992. Rear Admiral Frederick L. Lewis, ComCarGru 4, broke his flag in John F. Kennedy in mid-July 1992. CompTUEx commenced in Puerto Rican waters in mid-July 1992. Members of the Presidential Commission on Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces visited the ship in late July 1992, observing shipboard life and interviewing crew members.
Tragedy struck CVW-3 during CompTUEx in late July 1992 with the loss of VFA-37 commanding officer Commander Robert K. Christensen in an F/A-18C crash during a night training mission. A port visit to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, in late July 1992 was cut short due to orders to get underway for contingency operations in the Mediterranean in response to Iraqi non-compliance with UN resolutions. The deployment to the Mediterranean was ultimately cancelled, and the John F. Kennedy returned to Puerto Rican waters to resume CompTUEx.
Tragedy struck again in late July 1992 with the loss of a VAW-126 E-2C Hawkeye and all five crew members in a crash during CompTUEx. A memorial service honored the lost aircrew members. CompTUEx concluded in early August 1992, certifying the ship and air wing for deployment. The John F. Kennedy returned to Norfolk in mid-August 1992, preparing for her next deployment.
September 1992 fleet exercises preceded deployment preparations. Deployment date was announced as October 7, 1992. Carquals and fleet exercises continued into mid-September 1992, covered by media representatives. Pre-overseas movement (POM) stand-down and final preparations filled late September and early October 1992.
The John F. Kennedy deployed on October 7, 1992, commencing her final operational deployment. Carquals and Atlantic transit preceded entry into the Mediterranean in mid-October 1992. Strait of Gibraltar and Strait of Messina transits led to a Brindisi, Italy, port call in late October 1992 for turnover with Saratoga. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney visited the ship in late October 1992 while in the Adriatic.
Operations in the Adriatic and a Naples port visit followed in late October and early November 1992. USAF and Belgian Air Force officers visited for carrier orientation in early November 1992. Alexandria hosted a port call in mid-November 1992, preparing for exercise Seawind with Egyptian forces. During Seawind in mid-November 1992, Capodanno (FF-1093) assisted a distressed Russian intelligence collection ship, with John F. Kennedy medical personnel providing aid to a deceased Russian sailor.
Senior Egyptian Navy and Air Force officers visited for a Seawind debrief in mid-November 1992. Trieste hosted a port call in late November 1992. Exercise African Eagle with Moroccan forces commenced in early December 1992. Marseille hosted a port visit in late December 1992, with French public interest high. Contingency operations alert for Bosnia-Herzegovina briefly interrupted holiday cheer in late December 1992, but the John F. Kennedy remained in Marseille.
Early January 1993 saw departure from Marseille and operations in the Ionian Sea. Transit of the Strait of Messina and a Naples port visit followed in mid-January 1993. Combat Camera Unit personnel embarked for contingency coverage in mid-January 1993. Contingency operations commenced in mid-January 1993 in response to US Tomahawk missile strikes in Iraq. Flight operations in the eastern Mediterranean continued until late January 1993. French Navy Vice Admiral Lefebvre visited in early February 1993.
Trieste hosted another port visit in early February 1993. Adriatic and Ionian Sea flight operations followed in February 1993. Operation Provide Promise airdrop monitoring over Bosnia-Herzegovina commenced in late February 1993, continuing until turnover with Theodore Roosevelt in late March 1993.
Homeward transit commenced in late March 1993, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar and conducting a missile exercise. Bermuda hosted a brief port call in early April 1993. CVW-3 aircraft flew off in early April 1993, and the John F. Kennedy reached Norfolk in early April 1993, completing her final operational deployment.
Post-deployment stand-down and operations off the Virginia Capes followed in April and May 1993. Senate Armed Services Committee members and Tuskegee Airmen visited the ship in May 1993. US Court of Military Appeals judges and legal officers also visited in May 1993. New York City hosted another Fleet Week port visit in late May and early June 1993, with “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning” broadcasting live from the flight deck.
A “Tiger Cruise” home preceded carquals in early June 1993. Captain Joseph R. Hutchison relieved Captain Beard as commanding officer in late June 1993. Carquals and a Dependent’s Day Cruise followed in July 1993. Preparations for an upcoming yard period filled August 1993, briefly interrupted by Hurricane Emily. A minor fire broke out on board during a sortie for Emily, quickly extinguished.
A Silver Anniversary gala commemorating 25 years of service was held on board in early September 1993, with sponsor Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in attendance. Departure for Philadelphia and a major overhaul commenced in mid-September 1993. Drydock at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard marked the beginning of a $491 million overhaul in mid-September 1993, intended to extend the ship’s service life but ultimately leading to its inactivation.
Overhaul work continued through 1993 and 1994, including asbestos removal, propeller removal, and quarterly progress reviews. Acting Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced in August 1994 that the John F. Kennedy would be designated an operational reserve carrier after overhaul completion, intended to provide surge capability and support training requirements.
Undocking occurred in late 1994, and Captain Gerald L. Hoewing relieved Captain Hutchison as commanding officer in early 1995. Sea trials and carquals in late 1995 marked the John F. Kennedy‘s return to operational status after overhaul. Mayport, Florida, became her new homeport. Fast cruise and hangar bay resurfacing followed in late 1995.
1996 saw a North Atlantic deployment in June and July, including a Dublin, Ireland, port visit and refresher carquals. Mixed F-14 and F/A-18 tactics development followed. Secretaries of the Navy, Air Force, and Army visited for a joint service conference on board in early October 1996. John F. Kennedy and CVW-8 participated in CompTUEx and Joint Task Force Exercise ’97-2 in early 1997, preparing for deployment in support of operations in Bosnia and Iraq. Tragedy struck during Joint Task Force Exercise ’97-2 with the loss of an HS-3 Seahawk helicopter and crew in mid-March 1997.
Deployment to the Mediterranean commenced in late April 1997, relieving Theodore Roosevelt. Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia-Herzegovina commenced in June 1997, with CVW-8 flying “real world” missions. Koper, Slovenia, hosted a port visit in late June 1997. NATO exercises followed. Haifa hosted a port visit in August 1997. Transit of the Suez Canal in mid-August 1997 led to deployment to the Arabian Gulf and support of Operation Southern Watch. Bahrain and Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, hosted port visits. Exercise Beacon Flash with Omani Air Force followed in mid-September 1997. Transit of the Suez Canal back to the Mediterranean occurred in late September 1997. Exercise Dynamic Mix with NATO forces followed in early October 1997. Tarragona, Spain, hosted a port visit in October 1997, before relief by George Washington in mid-October 1997 and return to Mayport in late October 1997.
1998 and 1999 saw continued operations and exercises, including Fleet Week ’98, Exercise Fuertes Defensas 98/99, tailored ship’s training availability, and composite training unit exercises (CompTUEx). Hurricane Floyd in September 1999 prompted a sortie to sea, during which HS-11 helicopters rescued the crew of the foundering tug Gulf Majesty. Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf deployment commenced in mid-September 1999, supporting Operation Southern Watch. Exercise Frisian Flag ’99 in the Netherlands and Exercise Bright Star 1999 in Egypt preceded transit of the Suez Canal in late October 1999 and operations in the Arabian Gulf. Al Aqabah, Jordan, hosted a historic port visit in early November 1999, the first ever for a US aircraft carrier. King Abdullah II of Jordan visited the ship during the Al Aqabah port call. Tragedy struck again in mid-November 1999 with the loss of a VS-32 S-3B Viking and its crew during takeoff.
Operations in support of Southern Watch continued through late 1999 and early 2000, punctuated by port visits to Bahrain and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. John F. Kennedy became the “Carrier of the New Millennium” on January 1, 2000, as the only carrier underway at the millennium transition. VFA-82 recorded the Navy’s first combat use of JDAM in Operation Southern Watch. Turnover with John C. Stennis in late February 2000 preceded a homeward voyage, including a Tarragona, Spain, port visit and a “Tiger Cruise” home, reaching Mayport in mid-March 2000.
Upkeep, OpSail 2000, Fleet Week 2000 in New York City, and a Boston port visit filled the spring and summer of 2000. Local operations out of Jacksonville followed in late 2000. 2001 saw Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) technical evaluations and Fleet Week 2001 in New York City. Rear Admiral Steven J. Tomaszeski relieved Rear Admiral Crenshaw as ComCarGru 6 in mid-2001.
In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, John F. Kennedy supported Operation Noble Eagle, providing air security along the mid-Atlantic seaboard. CompTUEx 01-2 and a “SinkEx” followed in late 2001. Captain Maurice S. Joyce was relieved of command in late 2001, replaced by Captain Johnny L. “Turk” Greene.
2002 began with Joint Task Force Exercise 02-01 and sea trials. Steering control loss during underway replenishment in early February 2002 caused minor injuries. Captain Ronald H. Henderson, Jr., relieved Captain Greene as commanding officer in early February 2002. Deployment to the Persian Gulf commenced in early February 2002, two months ahead of schedule, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Transit to the Arabian Sea and support of Operation Enduring Freedom followed in February and March 2002. Tragedy struck again with the loss of Lieutenant Commander Christopher M. Blaschum in an F-14 crash during flight operations south of Crete in early March 2002. The John F. Kennedy transited the Suez Canal in early March 2002, joining Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. Captain Henderson addressed the crew on the eve of combat strikes, emphasizing the significance of their mission in the War on Terror. Mk. 84 2,000-pound JDAMs were used in combat for the first time by VF-11 F-14Bs in March 2002.
Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer filmed on board in April 2002 for “Profiles from the Front Line.” John F. Kennedy assumed sole responsibility for carrier operations supporting Enduring Freedom in mid-April 2002. A Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, port visit followed in mid-May 2002. Navy-wide F-14 grounding in June 2002 due to nose landing gear issues was quickly overcome by John F. Kennedy maintenance crews, returning Tomcats to flight status within five days. Rescue of distressed Iranian mariners by John F. Kennedy battle group units occurred in mid-June 2002.
Turnover with George Washington in mid-July 2002 marked the end of John F. Kennedy‘s Enduring Freedom deployment, after 129 days in theater and over 64,000 pounds of ordnance dropped. Homeward transit included port visits to Turkey and Spain in July and August 2002, reaching Mayport in mid-August 2002. Carquals and an extended selective restricted availability (ESRA) followed in late 2002 and 2003.
ESRA completion in late 2003 saw the John F. Kennedy underway again in late 2003 and early 2004. Captain Stephen G. Squires relieved Captain Henderson as commanding officer in April 2004. Exercise Summer Pulse ’04, a global carrier deployment exercise, commenced in June 2004, with John F. Kennedy participating in Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) 04-2. A Malta port visit preceded transit of the Suez Canal in early July 2004 and deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. First Iraqi Freedom strikes launched in mid-July 2004.
Collision with and sinking of a dhow occurred during night flight operations in late July 2004, with unsuccessful search and rescue efforts. Rescue of distressed Iranian mariners from cargo dhow Naji by John F. Kennedy battle group units occurred in mid-August 2004. Captain Dennis E. Fitzpatrick relieved Captain Squires as commanding officer in early October 2004. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld visited the ship in early October 2004, praising the crew and re-enlisting 80 sailors.
Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004 saw John F. Kennedy CVW-17 aircraft play a key role in supporting Marine and Army forces, including combat debut of GBU-38 500-pound JDAMs. Turnover with Harry S. Truman in mid-November 2004 marked the end of John F. Kennedy‘s final combat deployment. Homeward transit included a Tarragona, Spain, port visit in late November and early December 2004, reaching Mayport in mid-December 2004. Decommissioning announcement followed in late December 2004.
2005 began with a focus on maintaining “Surge deployment” readiness. Multi-Battle Group Inport Exercise (MBGIE) and Surge Sustainment underway period followed in early 2005. Hurricane Ophelia sortie in September 2005 saw HS-11 helicopters rescue the crew of foundering tug Gulf Majesty during the storm. Training Command (TraCom) carrier qualifications continued throughout 2005.
2006 saw uncertainty regarding decommissioning. Independent steaming exercises and material condition assessments continued. NavSea decertified arresting gear in mid-February 2006, ending fixed-wing operations. Admiral Michael G. Mullen, CNO, visited in late March 2006. Final independent steaming exercise for 2006 took place in October 2006. Official decommissioning notification received in December 2006, slated for no later than September 30, 2007.
Early 2007 saw final underway period to prepare for port visits to Norfolk and Boston. Port visits to Norfolk and Boston in February and March 2007 drew massive crowds. Members of the Kennedy family visited during the Boston port call. Departure from Boston delayed by high winds, but John F. Kennedy reached Mayport in mid-March 2007, beginning pre-decommissioning availability.
John F. Kennedy was decommissioned on March 23, 2007, with dignity and honor, after nearly four decades of service. Captain Todd A. Zechin relinquished command, and Captain Ronald B. Robinson assumed duties as officer-in-charge, John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Detachment, for inactivation preparations. Final voyage under tow to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard occurred in July and August 2007. John F. Kennedy was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on October 16, 2009, laid up at Philadelphia pending final disposition, marking the end of an era for an iconic aircraft carrier and a symbol of American naval power projection throughout the Cold War and beyond.
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) returns to Norfolk, Virginia, on April 7, 1993, concluding another deployment and marking its enduring legacy in naval history.
