Not done yet: Kitty Hawk tapped for RIMPAC

[unhappycamper]

Not done yet: Kitty Hawk tapped for RIMPAC
By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jun 10, 2008 7:48:16 EDT

ABOARD THE CARRIER KITTY HAWK IN GUAM — It’s official, the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk will get a curtain call to its nearly 50-year career by replacing the carrier George Washington for this year’s RIMPAC exercise, which is scheduled to take place off Hawaii from June 29 through July 31.

Capt. Todd Zecchin, the ship’s commanding officer, confirmed the news to the crew at an all-hands call shortly after the ship arrived in Guam on Monday for a short break and take on stores for the coming underway period.

“This message just hit this morning,” he told the crew assembled around him on the ship’s flight deck. “We will be participating in the Rim of the Pacific exercise as the Pride of the Pacific and you should all be proud.”

Zecchin also confirmed some details of the carrier’s short-term schedule, as its farewell run across the Pacific is turning into a short tour. From Guam, Kitty Hawk will sail to Hawaii and finally to San Diego in August to turnover with the George Washington.

Kitty’s final bow was supposed to be the GW’s curtain raiser as the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, based out of Yokosuka, Japan. But a fire May 22 onboard George Washington damaged 80 spaces on the ship. Officials say GW will remain tied up at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, conducting repairs to the damaged spaces and equipment.


Rest of shitty Kitty article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/06/navy_kittyhawk_guam_060908/