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USS Enterprise CVN-65(V)

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) has been making history for many reasons: She is the longest naval vessel at 1,123 feet-giving her the nicknamed the "Big E"- and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Enterprise is the only aircraft carrier propelled by more than two nuclear reactors; with eight, each replaces one boiler. Plus, she is the only carrier with four rudders instead of two, and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal.

Her First Ten Years

She was commissioned in 1961, but her first air operations weren't until 1962, when a Vought F8 Crusader trialed a landing and catapult launch from her deck. That same year, she served the role of tracking and measuring station for Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn's space capsule Friendship 7. A few months later, she participated in President John F. Kennedy's blockade of Cuba, and successfully catapulted an E-2 Hawkeye with nose-tow gear instead of a catapult bridle.

In 1964, the Enterprise, as part of the world's first nuclear-powered powerhouse (designated as Task Force One), she took part in Operation Sea Orbit. It was a 65-day, 30,216 mile, trip around the world, without stops for replenishment or refueling. The following year, the Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered ship in combat when she launched aircraft against the Viet Cong, setting a record of 165 strike sorties in a single day. Unfortunately, her luck changed in 1969; an MK-32 Zuni rocket warhead, overheated by exhaust, detonated and set off explosions on the carrier. Fires cost 27 crewmen their lives, and 314 others were injured. One fire alone destroyed 15 aircraft.

The Next Decade

Her repair work also included receiving additional nuclear resources, with enough energy to power her until 1980. Enterprise's next mission against Vietnam was interrupted as she fought typhoons Harriet, Kim and Jean. She continued on, however, striking not only surface-to-air missiles, but antiaircraft artillery sites and naval and shipyard areas. The Big E also attacked petroleum storage areas, railroad and truck stations, enemy army barracks, and reseeded mine fields in the Haiphong harbor. An Enterprise F-4J Phantom II also shot down a MiG-21. After the cease-fire, she returned for maintenance and was refitted to support the F-14 Tomcat, the Navy's newest fighter aircraft, whose maiden take-off and landing from her deck was in 1974. When Typhoon Gervaise devastated Mauritius the following year, the Enterprise spent more than 10,000 man-hours providing humanitarian aid by repairing the country's water, power and telephone systems, clearing roads and debris, and providing basic food and medical care to the island residents. Her next mission was to assist the Marine Corps helicopters by providing fighter cover while they carried out Operation Frequent Wind, evacuating Americans from South Vietnam.

Mishaps and Tragedy

In 1983, returning to San Francisco from deployment, she ran aground on a sandbar and remained stuck for several hours. This is noteworthy for two reasons: First, George Takei happened to be aboard as a visitor. (He portrayed "Mr. Sulu" on the television show Startrek, in the role of helmsman of the fictional starship Enterprise.) Second, although such an accident usually is the end of a warship captain's career, Enterprise Commander Robert J. Kelly was later named four-star admiral and Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The next collision occurred in 1985, when the ship hit Bishops Rock on the Cortes Bank; her propeller and outer hull required repair. After taking part in Operation Classic Resolve, aiding Philippine President Corazon Aquino during a rebel coup attempt, Enterprise finished an around-the-world deployment of 43,000 miles, and consequently received the most complex overhaul refit ever attempted. Sadly, in 1998, an EA-6B Prowler crashed into an S-3 Viking on her flight deck. Fire broke out, but did not cause major damage; however, three Prowler crewmembers were lost at sea and the remains of a fourth were later recovered shortly after the crash.

Publicity and Honored Guests

Enterprise honored former President George H.W. Bush, and played host to a live concert Hootie and the Blowfish during a port call in the United Arab Emirates later in 1998. That same year saw a visit from Secretary of Defense William Cohen, Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii, Representative John Murtha from Pennsylvania, and singers Mary Chapin Carpenter and Carole King. During its last day at sea in 2001, the ship hosted a live two-hour broadcast of ABC'S Good Morning America in response to its participation in air attacks against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and Taliban's Afghanistan military installations after the September 11 devastation. The USS Enterprise was mentioned in the novel "Debt of Honor", and has been filmed for scenes in the movies "Yours, Mine and Ours", "Top Gun", and "The Hunt for Red October".

With a decommissioning slated for sometime between in 2014-2015, the Enterprise may become an aircraft-carrier museum ship. If she finds herself in the Ship-Submarine recycling program, however, she would be the first nuclear powered carrier to be dismantled. It would seem a shame to see the "Big E" suffer such an ignoble end, and many of her crew would be disappointed to hear that news. Probably everyone who has served time will be waiting to hear her fate; in the meantime, they should also be aware of any unusual physical symptoms that may fail to go away, such as respiratory or stomach ailments. Ironically, like all other ships built around the time of the Enterprise, efforts to protect crews included the use of asbestos. Even though the Enterprise did not utilize boilers for propulsion, no ship wanted to chance a fire. So, for added security, asbestos was often included along with general insulation. If any fibers became disengaged and drifted into the ship's air system, they could have been inhaled by anyone on board.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the Enterprise CVN-65(V), or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Enter your contact information in the form in the right column and we'll send a copy immediately.

Aircraft Carriers Index

USS America USS Antietam CV 36 K USS Antietam CV 36 USS Badoeng Strait CVE 116 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Belleau wood CVL 24 USS Bennington CV 20 USS Bon Homme Richard CVa USS Boxer CV USS Bunker CV USS Cabot CVL 28 USS Constellation CV USS Coral Sea CV USS Corregidor CVE 58 USS Sable ix USS San jacinto CVL USS Saratoga CV USS Saratoga CV3 USS Shangri La

USS Cowpens CVL 25 USS Enterprise CV 6 USS Enterprise CVN USS Essex CV 9 USS Forrestal CV USS Franklin CV 13 USS Hancock CV 19 USS Hornet CV 12 USS Hornet CV 8 USS Independence C1 USS Independence CVL 22 USS Intrepid CV 11 USS Kearsage CV 33 USS Kearsage CV USS Kitty Hawk USS Sicily CVe USS Sitkoh bay USS Tarawa CV USS Ticonderoga CV USS Valley forge CV

USS Lake Champlain CV 39 USS Langley CV 1 USS Langley CVL 27 USS Lexington CV 16 USS Lexington CV 2 USS Leyte CV 32 USS Midway CV USS Oriskany CV USS Phillipine Sea CV USS Point cruz CVE USS Princeton CV USS Princeton CVL USS Randolph CV USS Ranger CV USS Rendova USS Wasp CV 18 USS Wasp CV 7 USS Wolverine IX 64 USS Yorktown CV 10 USS Yorktown CV 5

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