The Aussie
Apr 12th 2009, 12:25 AM
Operation Sea Orbit Veterans Celebrate 40th Anniversary Aboard Big E
July 2004
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E), former crew members toured the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in honor of the 40th anniversary of a Navy first.
Forty years ago in July, the Navy's first nuclear task force embarked on a 30,565-mile around-the-world cruise, dubbed Operation Sea Orbit, to demonstrate the ability of nuclear-powered ships to operate free from the usual ties to shore installations.
USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), USS Long Beach (CGN 9) and the Big E formed Task Force 1 and did not refuel during the cruise.
John Oliver was assigned to Big E's Deck Department from 1962 to 1965. During his time aboard, Oliver participated in the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as Operation Sea Orbit.
"I came back because I wanted to see my ship," said Oliver. "We were out from July to October in 1964. We stopped off at Karachi, Pakistan; Sydney, Australia; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Back then we couldn't sail through the Suez Canal, so we had to go around the Cape of Good Hope. It was exciting to be the first nuclear task force to go around the globe."
The former crew members toured the ship and took a stroll down memory plank, as it were. The Sailors and their families stopped off on the bridge, ship's museum and the flight deck.
Curtis Miller was stationed aboard Enterprise with his brother in Reactor Department. "There was more pride in this ship than any other. We felt it was an honor to be here. We felt pride to be doing something for our country on the greatest ship in the world," said Miller.
Long Beach and Bainbridge were decommissioned in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Of the three ships in Task Force 1, only Enterprise remains commissioned and battle-ready.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/Pictures77_2008/OperationSeaOrbit.jpg
July 2004
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E), former crew members toured the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in honor of the 40th anniversary of a Navy first.
Forty years ago in July, the Navy's first nuclear task force embarked on a 30,565-mile around-the-world cruise, dubbed Operation Sea Orbit, to demonstrate the ability of nuclear-powered ships to operate free from the usual ties to shore installations.
USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), USS Long Beach (CGN 9) and the Big E formed Task Force 1 and did not refuel during the cruise.
John Oliver was assigned to Big E's Deck Department from 1962 to 1965. During his time aboard, Oliver participated in the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as Operation Sea Orbit.
"I came back because I wanted to see my ship," said Oliver. "We were out from July to October in 1964. We stopped off at Karachi, Pakistan; Sydney, Australia; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Back then we couldn't sail through the Suez Canal, so we had to go around the Cape of Good Hope. It was exciting to be the first nuclear task force to go around the globe."
The former crew members toured the ship and took a stroll down memory plank, as it were. The Sailors and their families stopped off on the bridge, ship's museum and the flight deck.
Curtis Miller was stationed aboard Enterprise with his brother in Reactor Department. "There was more pride in this ship than any other. We felt it was an honor to be here. We felt pride to be doing something for our country on the greatest ship in the world," said Miller.
Long Beach and Bainbridge were decommissioned in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Of the three ships in Task Force 1, only Enterprise remains commissioned and battle-ready.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/Pictures77_2008/OperationSeaOrbit.jpg