US Navy Auctions Aircraft Carriers to Scrap Merchants for One Penny Each.
New Deal Sees Decommissioned US Navy Aircraft Carriers Sold for One Cent Each
In a surprising move, the United States Navy has recently finalized a deal to sell two decommissioned aircraft carriers for a mere one cent each. The agreement, struck with International Shipbreaking Limited (ISL), involves recycling the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS John F. Kennedy, both of which have long been retired from active service.
The Navy’s decision to part ways with these vessels at such a nominal price reflects a strategic cost-saving measure. ISL, a company based in Brownsville, Texas, is set to profit from the lucrative recycling opportunities presented by the vast amounts of scrap iron, steel, and non-ferrous metal ore contained within the carriers.
The sale was approved by the Naval Sea Systems Command, a sub-organization within the US Navy responsible for such decisions. This isn’t the first time ISL and the Navy have collaborated on ship-breaking initiatives; the company has previously recycled other decommissioned vessels, including the USS Ranger, USS Constellation, and USS Independence.
The USS Kitty Hawk, commissioned in 1961 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, boasts a storied history that includes deployment during the Vietnam War. After decades of service, it was officially decommissioned in 2017 and has since been stationed at a Naval facility in Bremerton, Washington.
Its counterpart, the USS John F. Kennedy, was commissioned in Newport News, Virginia, in 1968. Differing from its peers due to its unique hull design, the vessel is a variant of the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier. It played a role in the Gulf War before its decommissioning in 2009, and it is currently docked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.
Both of these aircraft carriers had the capability to accommodate multiple military aircraft, highlighting their significance in past naval operations.
Chris Green, the Senior Manager of ISL, has shed light on the intricate process that lies ahead. Recycling these massive vessels is expected to take several months due to the complex naval engineering involved, particularly in the case of the USS John F. Kennedy. Green explained that employees involved in the project will need to undergo background checks conducted by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. The duration of these checks can vary, potentially ranging from a brief period to as long as six months, depending on the agency’s workload.
Notably, once the carriers are sold, veterans will not have access to them. Nonetheless, ISL intends to honor the former crew members of the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS John F. Kennedy with an observance once the carriers arrive at port. This gesture serves as a reminder of the significant role these vessels played in the history of the US Navy and their lasting impact on those who served aboard them.
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