USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)

USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) is a currently decommissioned Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier. Originally designated for air combat only, she ultimately became an all-purpose vessel, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The vessel's keel was laid in October 1964 and construction of the carrier took 18 months. She was not commissioned until September 1968. Although ordered as a nuclear carrier, she was converted to conventional propulsion after construction began.

Early Career

As the situation in the Middle East deteriorated in the 1970s, the USS John F. Kennedy was frequently deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. During this period, her flight deck and aircraft storage facilities were upgraded to handle the F-14 Tomcat and the S-3 Viking jet fighters.

The USS John F. Kennedy was involved in two mishaps within a 12-month period between November 1975 and the following September. The first accident occurred when the vessel collided with the USS Belknap (CG-26). The smaller ship suffered substantial damage, and the huge carrier became known as the "Can Opener."

The second incident occurred during the night of 14 September 1976, when the destroyer USS Bordelon (DD-881) lost control in the waters north of the Scottish coast and collided with the USS John F. Kennedy, resulting in irreparable damage to the smaller vessel.

In late 1978, the USS John F. Kennedy underwent her first major overhaul, which was successfully completed a year later.

The 1980s

The USS John F. Kennedy spent most of the early 1980s in and around the eastern Mediterranean, particularly during the civil war in Lebanon during which aircraft stationed aboard participated in bombing runs.

In 1984, the USS John F. Kennedy was dry-docked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul and necessary upgrades. The work kept her in the yard until July 1986. The USS John F. Kennedy returned to the Mediterranean in August, conducting operations off the coast of Lebanon as a result of increasing terrorist activities and the capture of U.S. citizens. The carrier returned to Norfolk in March 1987.

In August 1988, the USS John F. Kennedy left once more for the Mediterranean. During this deployment, a pair of Libyan MiG-23 fighter-bombers from Libya approached the carrier near the Gulf of Sidra. The approaching MiGs prompted the launch of two F-14 Tomcats. The US planes engaged the Libyans, shooting them down.

The Persian Gulf

The USS John F. Kennedy returned home in July of 1990 but was soon ordered back to the Middle East in preparation for Operation Desert Shield. In January 1991, the USS John F. Kennedy's Carrier Air Wing 3 began operations against Iraqi forces as part of Operation Desert Storm.

At the end of February, hostilities ended and the USS John F. Kennedy was relieved of combat duties. She arrived in Norfolk on 28 March 1991 and was placed on a four-month selective restricted availability period for repairs and upgrades.

Following her yard availability, the USS John F. Kennedy sailed for her 14th deployment to the Mediterranean. Upon her return to the U.S. she was sent to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for two years of repairs and refits. Since the completion of those repairs, the "Big John" was stationed out of Mayport, Florida.

During the USS John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland in 1996, high winds in Dublin Bay caused the boarding pontoon to tear a large hole into the hull of the vessel.

The USS John F. Kennedy's last round of refits included the installation of an experimental system that allowed engagement of targets beyond its original range. In 2001, during a pre-deployment trial, the USS John F. Kennedy underwent inspection. Two aircraft catapults and three aircraft elevators were found to be in a non-functional state, and two boilers failed to ignite. As a result, her captain and two department heads were relieved of duty.

Following 11 September 2001, the USS John F. Kennedy and her group were ordered to support Operation Noble Eagle, establishing air security along the mid-Atlantic seaboard. The group was ordered to stand down three days later. During the first six months of 2002, the USS John F. Kennedy's aircraft dropped 31,000 tons of ordnance on Taliban and al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan.

By 2005, the aging USS John F. Kennedy was scheduled for another overhaul. However, naval tactics have changed, making expensive-to-maintain carriers obsolete, since mid-air refueling and increased range allow aircraft to reach virtually any target on the planet from existing land bases. "Big John" was ordered to stand down and was towed to the Norfolk, Virginia, NOB in July 2007. She is currently berthed in Philadelphia.

Asbestos Risks

People who served our country in the military have always understood that their duties are accompanied by expected risks, regardless of whether or not they see battle action. But along with the apparent risks that accompany military service, a lesser-known hazard endangered soldiers and sailors in the 20th century - the risk of asbestos exposure.

The ability to halt the spread of fire onboard a ship is paramount. Historical shipboard incidents illustrate the danger of fire at sea. Therefore, it was typical (and often required by law) for insulators such as asbestos to be used during the period when aircraft carriers like the USS John F Kennedy were constructed. The downside with this is that along with its fireproofing abilities, asbestos has also been linked with debilitating diseases as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos causes problems for the body when the mineral is friable ( can be broken up into tiny shards) because it can be inhaled or ingested into the body, causing serious cellular damage.

Asbestos exposure was certainly an additional hazard when a navy ship was damaged in battle since such circumstances frequently exposed asbestos to air and water. Even outside of battle conditions, those who worked on navy ships like the USS John F Kennedy still faced exposure since practically every compartment of the vessel had parts made with asbestos. A sailor working in enclosed areas where asbestos was present, such as the USS John F. Kennedy's boilers or engines, were especially in danger. But it wasn't just shipboard personnel who suffered from asbestos poisoning. Those who maintained the USS John F. Kennedy when it was in dry dock for repairs were also exposed to airborne asbestos.

Most asbestos-related conditions take years to manifest. Being aware of a patient's history of asbestos contact can aid a healthcare professional in the diagnostic process should a patient have mesothelioma. Those who serviced or served aboard the USS John F Kennedy may wish to learn more about mesothelioma symptoms and treatment options. Please click here to receive a complimentary packet.

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