Kennedy’s fixed wing operations, with the gear itself being applied up seven days later, toward twentieth. Later on one to month, and into the iners first started a content condition testing on board, finishing what they do in 2 days’ time. Brand new ship’s chronicler listed the staff had “spent 2 weeks in preparation because of it research. Their time and effort and you can pride contained in this boat had been on display screen toward Navy observe,” impressing this new inspectors towards ship’s total status additionally the “quantity of effort one to JFK sailors help with when preparing” toward check out.
Just like the seasons changed, John F. Kennedy’s No.4 catapult are applied abreast of , and you may through to the month regarding February is out, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, brand new CNO, went to brand new watercraft for the 29 March, because the performed Grasp Captain Petty Administrator of your own Navy Terry D. Denby Starling, II, Commander Naval Air Push Atlantic. In the future thereafter, John F. Kennedy accomplished her next separate steaming get it done of the season (3-6 April), where she replenished from the water away from USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) (5 April) and you will carried out chopper operations. She replicated one to advancement the following month (2-5 Get), once again filling up out of Kanawha (cuatro May). Todd An excellent. Zechin alleviated Capt. Dennis Age. Kirkpatrick towards the 26th.
Since month out-of Can get neared the avoid, Capt
This new ship’s bow catapults was in fact placed upon , and also in the fresh aftermath of John F. Kennedy’s separate steaming get it done into the summer (18-20 July), Rear-admiral Starling went to the newest provider (20 July) getting standing on ruling officer and you will professional administrator, thoughts off departments, in addition to command grasp master. That fall, John F. Kennedy, the girl trip patio re-specialized getting helicopter procedures, presented the lady history separate steaming do it to have 2006 (17-20 Oct). Through to the 12 months finished, inside December the brand new ship received the state societal circumstances notice you to she would become decommissioned “no later as compared to avoid off FY07 [].” Following the a quick underway several months (1-) to prepare on her behalf latest slated vent check outs in order to Norfolk and you will Boston, John F. Kennedy and her team “[shook] down the recently inspected boilers and you will [performed] flawlessly throughout helicopter trip procedures, in addition to a couple of effective water and anchor information.”
John F. Kennedy endured out-of , embarking members of Boston’s Navy Group and mass media representatives towards the event. This new motorboat attained Norfolk to the 22 March where she of-loaded “as often methods as you are able to,” one provided their cellular crash crane that had been affectionately nicknamed “Tilly,” and you can “some other assets necessary [elsewhere] to the Collection.” Moored near to Pier fourteen-A good during the Naval Channel, Norfolk, “close to about three your nation’s best CVNs,” the lady historian had written with pride one John F. Kennedy “never appeared or operated best, and obtained accolades off Admirals and you can Seamen exactly the same…”
Scott, escorted by Rear-admiral H
Started once again towards , John F. Kennedy lay path for Boston, where she arrived to become welcomed “that have open fingers.” Over 60,100 individuals visited at that time, plus members of brand new Kennedy nearest and dearest, exactly who managed a food onboard ship with the ong the newest prominent individuals was basically Senator Edward Yards. Kennedy, Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman Michael Capuano, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Admiral Michael Mullen, Vice admiral Michael Chanik (Frontrunner Second Fleet), Rear admiral Starling, and you will Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s mentor.
The woman deviation from Boston delay 2 days by highest gusts of wind, John F. Kennedy sailed to the , and reached Mayport for the ten March, the final boiler extinguished getting dos-A that day, because vessel fastened next to Pier Charlie-You to, locating the staff barges APL-42 and you can APL-66 awaiting the woman pierside upon this lady arrival. She began an excellent pre-decommissioning access and you may a last security stand down toward fifteenth.