THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508260370
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Monday marks the beginning of the end for the aircraft carrier America.
The ship will deploy to the Mediterranean for its 20th and final six-month overseas cruise. It will be decommissioned after returning in February 1996, more than three decades after it first came into the service.
The America and the amphibious assault ship Wasp are expected to leave around 7:30 a.m., along with the 12 ships that make up the respective battle and amphibious ready groups.
The ships will replace the carrier Theodore Roosevelt and the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, which are expected to return to Norfolk on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22, respectively.
The America was originally scheduled to leave port on Friday, but the departure was delayed because of the problems caused by Hurricane Felix.
The normal predeployment routine was disrupted when the Navy was forced to send most of the fleet to sea to avoid the possible high seas and winds threatened by the hurricane.
The America battle group is commanded by Rear Adm. William V. Cross. Deploying with the carrier will be: guided missile cruisers Normandy, Monterey and South Carolina; guided missile frigates De Wert and Boone; guided missile destroyer Scott, oiler Monongahela, ammunition ship Butte and fast attack submarines Oklahoma City and Hampton.
The Wasp amphibious ready group is commanded by Capt. Charles C. Buchanan. Deploying with the Wasp will be the amphibious transport dock Shreveport and dock landing ship Whidbey Island. ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY
On Monday, the aircraft carrier America will deploy to the
Mediterranean for its 20th and final six-month overseas cruise. It
will be decommissioned in February, more than three decades after it
first came into the service.
by CNB