Enterprise Returns Home from Final Deployment

The Navy's largest, oldest ship and its first nuclear carrier prepares for decommissioning

By Edward H. Lundquist - November 7, 2012

Sailors, Marines and family members aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) observe the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the ships pass in the Atlantic Ocean. Enterprise was completing her final deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. Her unique island structure made her readily identifiable among U.S. Navy supercarriers. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ryan de Vera

Those eight reactors were said to have helped make her the fastest of all U.S. Navy supercarriers, as well as the one with the quickest acceleration. Once complete, she underwent sea trials off the Virginia Capes. When the ship returned to Newport News following sea trials, she flew a giant broom from her mast, indicating a “clean sweep” of her acceptance trials.

Sailing Through History

U.S. Navy Task Group of nuclear-powered surface ships operating in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, during Operation Sea Orbit, June 18, 1964. The ships are the Enterprise (CVAN 65), at left; guided-missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN 9), in center; and the guided-missile “frigate” USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), at right. Enterprise crewmembers are spelling out Albert Einstein’s equation for nuclear energy on the flight deck. National Archives

The first of her eight reactors achieved criticality for the first time on Dec. 2, 1960 at 7:51 a.m., according to a DoD news release. “It was the first sustained nuclear reaction ever performed on an American surface ship and it took place on the 18^th anniversary of the first time in history that a nuclear chain reaction was ever deliberately initiated.

Enterprise wasn’t the only carrier to join the fleet that year. Two other aircraft carriers were commissioned that same year, the conventionally powered USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) and USS Constellation (CVA 64), commissioned April 4 and Oct. 27, respectively.

A DoD spokesman said in June 1961 that the estimated cost of the ship was $444 million. By comparison, the newly built Constellation cost $275 million.

It should be noted that Enterprise was not the world’s first nuclear-powered warship. That distinction belongs to the guided missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN 9), commissioned Sept. 9, 1961, two weeks before the Enterprise was placed “in service.” Enterprise completed initial sea trials on Oct. 31, 1961, which were conducted under the direction of Vice Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, “acting for the Atomic Energy Commission and the Navy.” Despite her modern propulsion system, Enterprise was built upon a modified Forrestal-class hull.

Newest Aircraft

The first plane to land on Enterprise was an F8U Crusader flown by Cmdr. George Talley, commander of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), during operations off the Virginia Capes on Jan. 17, 1962. In addition to making the first arrested landing, Talley also made the first catapult launch off Enterprise that same day.

USS Enterprise Air Wing CVW-1, 1962

VF-102 (F4H-1)
VF-33 (F8U-2NE)
VA-66 (A4D-2N)
VA-65 (AD-6)
VA-64 (A4D-2N)
VA-76 (A4D-2N)
VAH-7 (A3J-1)
VAW-12 Det. 65 (WF-2)
VFP-62 Det. 65 (F8U-1P)
HU-2 Det. 65 (HUP-2)

Enterprise’s hangar deck during Operation “Sea Orbit”, Sept. 15, 1964. Aircraft seen include A-5A Vigilantes; F-8 Crusaders; A-4C Skyhawks, and F-4B Phantom IIs. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photo

On Jan. 25, 1962, the Navy’s first operational A3J Vigilante squadron, Heavy Attack Squadron Seven, conducted its first sortie. The VAH-7 commanding officer, Cmdr. Louis Hoop, Jr., flew the first mission. On Feb. 19, four of the Vigilantes led by Hoop landed on Enterprise, which was steaming off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, marking the first time an A3J squadron operated as part of the fleet.

On Feb. 20, 1962, Enterprise was the tracking and measuring station for the Project Mercury Friendship 7 space flight in which Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Jr., USMC, became the first American to orbit the Earth.

Enterprise first steamed past the Rock of Gibraltar on Aug. 16, 1962, marking her first deployment to the U.S. Sixth Fleet. It marked the first deployment to that theater of the A3J Vigilante and the F4H-1 Phantom II, which was the fastest operational aircraft in the world at that time – it had flown at 1,606 mph.

The crew of a U.S. Navy North American A3J-1 (A-5) Vigilante bomber from heavy attack squadron VAH-7 Peacemakers of the Fleet, Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6), in front of their aircraft aboard the Enterprise (CVAN-65) in 1962. Not totally successful in their short-lived role as supersonic nuclear bombers, Vigilantes were later converted into RA-5C reconnaissance aircraft. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo

Enterprise was one of the first ships to be equipped with the Navy Tactical Data System (NTDS), along with USS Oriskany (CVA 34); USS King (DLG 10) and USS Mahan (DDG 11).

The Enterprise’s island superstructure looked different from that of all other carriers that came before and after. A “beehive” antenna at the top of the island contained radio direction finding gear. The large “billboards” on the island were comprised of the eight individual Hughes directional phased array radar antennas that scanned electronically rather than using a rotating antenna. The four AN/SPS-32 horizontal rectangular antennas were for air search, while the four AN/SPS-33 vertical rectangular antennas were employed for target tracking. While the system as a whole was too temperamental and not successful, its capabilities and technologies led to today’s phased array radars seen on Aegis ships.

Proud Tradition

The USS Enterprise (CV 6) of the Second World War earned 20 battle stars for sinking or damaging 263 ships and shooting down 911 enemy aircraft with her guns and planes. The “Galloping Ghost” fought in every major action of the Pacific campaign, to include Midway, the Solomons and Leyte Gulf.