The 'Big E', as it was dubbed by the crews who have taken to the sea since the 1960, was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world. It has intervened as a protagonist in all the most important military operations that the United States has undertaken in the last 50 years: from the Cuban 1962 missile crisis to the Vietnam War, until the invasion of Iraq and the Enduring Freedomd mission.
It was the first nuclear aircraft carrier to cross the Suez Canal. From the Persian Gulf to that of Tonkin, he launched the famous F-4 with his catapults Phantom II, the long-lived F / A -18, and the A-6 Intruder.
After 51 years of operational service, it was shut down to be dismantled waiting for its name to pass to the new 'superportaerei' class Gerald R. Ford, USS Enterprise (CVN-80), whose entry into service is expected after the 2020.
Since 2012 she has been in "decommissioning" at the Newport News Shipbuilding where, on February 3rd, the traditional ceremony preceding the dismantling will be held. The ancient tradition in the Navy, which provides for the lowering of the flag of the ship, will involve 100 veterans who will fill a 'time capsule' with objects, messages and memories, to be delivered to the commander of the next Enterprise.
(photo: US Navy)
