The Virginian-Pilot
©
ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Viewed from a tugboat bobbing in the Bay, the George H.W. Bush loomed high above, projecting a demeanor that was equal parts "It's good to be king" and "Don't mess with me."
The last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier passed over the tunnel part of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on Thursday morning during its return from acceptance trials, the last big hurdle before the Navy takes ownership.
Its victory lap did not go by unnoticed. "This is the fun part, to actually see it under way," said Dan Klemencic, construction supervisor on the Bush, who rode out on the tug to greet the carrier.
A shipyard executive did not release detailed results of the trials but said he's hopeful the Navy will take delivery within the next week or so, as planned.
Construction on the $6.3 billion ship began with its keel laying in 2003, at Northrop Grumman Newport News. The carrier was granted special commissioning status during its commissioning ceremony in January, and builder's trials followed a month later.
During builder's trials, shipyard crews took the carrier out and put it through its paces, testing all its systems, Klemencic said.
"You're basically trying to break anything if you can," he said.
The ship returned from those trials with a list of minor fixes. On Tuesday morning it left on acceptance trials for a similar set of tests, this time conducted under the eye of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, or INSURV. The ship was driven fast, thrown into reverse, turned hard left and right. Crews tested its catapults and combat systems.
"We feel very good. The fact that we're coming back on time speaks to a great accomplishment," said Matthew Mulherin, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, who was on board for the trials.
He said he's gotten daily briefings and has been working closely with the inspection staff on board, including Rear Adm. Raymond Klein, the INSURV president.
A full report is due today that will break down any issues in terms of priority and who does what, Mulherin said.
Major problems will be addressed right away. Minor ones will be handled either by the Bush's crew or during a post-shakedown availability at the shipyard this summer.
Once the Navy takes delivery of the ship, the next major step will be when the air wing comes aboard for a real-world test of the arresting gear - which rapidly decelerates aircraft as they land - and catapults.
Operational training is set for later this year. Operational deployment is expected to begin in 2010.
As the last of its class, the Bush will be followed by the Gerald R. Ford, the first of a class of supercarriers, which is scheduled for completion in 2015.
By 10 a.m. Thursday, the ride was ending as several tugs tucked the carrier into its spot at Norfolk Naval Station. Klemencic, a former machinist, watched from the deck of the tug.
"Having been on the builder's trials for the Nimitz, and getting to see the end of the line here.... It's kind of a neat moment."
Matthew Jones, (757) 446-2949, matthew.jones@pilotonline.com
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TR, thanks..
for the clarification. I am guilty of 'assuming' that, based on many of your previous posts, you were equating the costs of this carrier with all the other evil you and your side routinely blame the Bush admin for, like the Inquisition, the persecution of all Muslims during the Middle Ages, the Plague, Hitler's rise, etc., etc...
But again thanks for clarifying. And to go further with your premise, imagine how many more such carriers could be built if Obama used the money he just requested for supplemental funding of the war to build more, a request that is at direct odds with his campaign rhetoric that your side and the media abettors who are part of it cheered exhuberantly.
Please explain
Wow, remarkable how a simple non controversial story about a ship turns into an argument. It never ceases to amaze. I do have one question... can someone explain to me how the current Administration/Congress' spending is unconstitutional? While you may think it is irresponsible, it is certainly legal.
Excellent!
Let's build another one. It peeves the liberals off ;>
GuyFromChes
I'm guessing, perhaps incorrectly, that your post about carrier costs was in reply to my post. If thats the case, your comprehension of my post was.... lacking.
I'm not complaining about the cost of carrier construction. Not at all. I'm comparing it to the costs that BushCheney saddled us with when he invaded Iraq. I'd much rather have 106 more aircraft carriers in the US military arsenal (or 4718 more F-22s) then to have spent the monetary equivalent in order to make Iraq an Iranian satellite. Thats a 106 carriers using the already spent $650+billion dollars. Of course that 106 figure will pale when outlier costs and multi-year wind-down monies are thrown on the bonfire. Hard to believe, the cost of building a carrier equals 2 weeks of Iraq spending.
Yeah, blame Bush/Cheney for
Yeah, blame Bush/Cheney for everything. It's not like Congress approved all the funding they requested!
Gimme a break.
bravo zulu
Carriers are a fantastic feat of organization considering all that goes on with their daily activities.
Congrats!!!
Another fine product from Newport News Shipbuilding.....
Too bad this sort of workmanship doesn't rub off on the crap coming out of Mississippi......
Shakedown Cruise to the Horn
Why not load the Carrier Bush for a cruise to the Horn of Africa!
With the massive size of the ship and a couple of flyovers by her jets should convince the pirates to "Give-It-Up!" On the other hand, Carrier Bush can do some target practice! "Yo-Ho!" "Yo-Ho!"
Oh geezz...
Yeah, right, here we go. Bush/Cheney built all aircraft carriers, they are responsible for all carrier construction, and all other evil, and on, and on...
First off, all these people talking about the costs of military programs and weapons not adhering to the real world don't know what they're talking about. The first question a president asks, and I guarantee you this applies to Obama as well, is "where are the carriers?" when a situation arises. While a case can be mad that many of the Navy's ships and weapons represent overkill because of the capabilities of our present adversaries, these ships still get the job done, and then some. Why? Because they were designed and built to fight in the worse case scenario possible: nuclear combat with the Soviet Union and what the USSR could bring to bear. That means long range, can carry lots of supplies and weapons, and an ability to take significant battle damage and have a chance at continuing the fight. That applies to all ships of frigate size or larger. The cariers are going to be around LONG after anyone posting on these boards has expired.
Drop in the bucket
TR: but how that figure pales in comparison to all the unconstitutional spending taking place on a daily basis by this President (who has little authority to do so were our Congress doing their jobs) and so many Presidents before him.
Folks, wake up! Slavery is being brought back to these United States, but this time color is not the common denominator - it's being a taxpayer; and the plantation masters have been replaced by the Government.
Sad that we're condemning our kids and grandchildren to that kind of existence - do we never learn?