USS George Bush (CVN-77) vs
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
(June 21, 2011) The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), left, transits near the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). George H.W. Bush is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on its maiden overseas deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis/Released)
What makes this picture historic?, it's the passing between a legend "USS Enterprise" and the newest supercarrier to join the fleet "USS George Bush".
The new USS George Bush, is a 97,000-ton aircraft carrier named in honor of our 41st president of the United States. Built by Northrop Grumman Corp., she is the first aircraft carrier to be commissioned since the USS Ronald Reagan in July 2003, and is the 10th & last Nimitz-Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier to be built by the United States Navy.
The legendary USS Enterprise was the first Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier built by the United States Navy and will also be the first Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier to be decommissioned in 2014 or 2015. The USS Enterprise was meant to be the first of a class of six, but construction costs ballooned and the remaining vessels were never laid down because of the huge cost of her construction.
With the addition of the USS George H.W. Bush, 11 of the Navy's 13 aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered and 7 of those are named in honor of former U.S. presidents. Since 1975 all aircraft carriers built have been nuclear-powered.
Below is a video of the historic transit between the two carrier's, provided by Navy Visual News Service
Replies
This is a great picture ! I served aboard the Big "E" from 1980 until 1984, the ship still looks the same...