A report in the Virginian-Pilot discusses the US Navy's exploration of the idea of retiring the conventional-powered aircraft carrier U.S.S. John F. Kennedy:
The Kennedy's retirement at age 37 would leave the U.S. with 11 carriers, the fewest in decades. All five flattops assigned to the Atlantic Fleet would be based in Norfolk unless the service decides to shift one to Mayport to replace the Kennedy.
A Navy official briefing reporters on Friday suggested that service leaders are concerned that reliance on a single port on either coast would leave the carrier fleet vulnerable to surprise attack or natural disaster. The six Pacific Fleet carriers are spread among ports in California, Washington state and Japan.
"We certainly want to have, strategically, our carrier fleet in more than one port," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The economic rationale for selecting the Kennedy for retirement:
Posted by Nicholas at February 8, 2005 10:56 AMTwo carriers, the Kitty Hawk and the nuclear-powered Enterprise, are older than the Kennedy. But the Kennedy is the most expensive to run ship in the fleet and was due to begin a $350 million overhaul later this year. By retiring it, the Navy will save most of that money along with the ship's operating expenses.
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