Aerial port quarter view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway off the coast of Washington, early February 1982, following a long Puget Sound refit begun in 1979. The most noticeable change was the reconstruction of her island: her futuristic electronic-scan radars were removed and replaced by an SPS-48 3/D radar (forward) and an SPS-49 long-range air search set (aft), as well as an SPN-41 for CCA aft on the starboard side of her flight deck. At the same time three 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow Mk.29 launchers (one on the after port sponson) replaced the BPDMS installed in 1967, and the ship was also fitted with three Phalanx CIWS (one of them visible on the port forward sponson and another on the after port edge of her quarterdeck). US Navy photo by PHS Ronald Cabral (DVIC id: DNSN8206011).

A starboard beam view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) approaching the entrance to the San Francisco Bay, March 4, 1982. US Navy photo by PH3 Curt Fargo (DVIC id: DN-ST-82-05108).

A starboard bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), NAS Alameda, April 1982. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier had returned to port following a short cruise after the completion of renovations that included the rebuilding of the superstructure. US Navy photo by PHAN Kathy Moss (DVIC id: DN-ST-82-05733).

A high angle vertical view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway in the Southern California Operations Area (SOCAL OPAREA), May 10, 1982. US Navy photo by PH3 Cabral (DVIC id: DN-SC-83-00345).

Aerial starboard quarter view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway for a Western Pacific deployment, September 1, 1982. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is visible in the background. US Navy photo by PHAN Watts (DVIC id: DN-SN-85-07563).

An aerial port bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway for a Western Pacific deployment, September 1, 1982. The Golden Gate Bridge is visible in the background. US Navy photo by PHAN Watts (DVIC id: DN-SN-85-07559).

An air-to-air right side view of a Medium Attack Squadron 95 (VA-95, "Green Lizards") A-6E Intruder, BuNo. 161104, assigned to USS Enterprise (CVN-65), escorting a Soviet Tu-142 Bear-D, October 1982. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SN-84-03469).

Aerial starboard side view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41), background, underway with their task groups. The frigate USS Hepburn (FF-1055) is underway in the foreground. Pacific Ocean, October 1982. US Navy photo by PHAN Mellendorf (DVIC id: DN-SN-85-07596).

Photo taken on 13 April 1983, during exercise FleetEx 83-1, in the North Pacific Ocean. The three carriers are, clockwise from left, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Midway (CV-41), and USS Coral Sea (CV-43).

Then LT Jim Petroski was aboard the Big E in the Reactor Dept., as RC division officer, and comments: "I spent some time up on the signal bridge during this photo op and got some great pictures of aircraft flying over us. Our air wing was the only one which could fly that day as the sea was quite rough—wave splashes were coming over the hurricane bow—and neither the Coral Sea nor Midway could launch/recover a/c. The frigate to starboard of "E" went up to 1/2 under in the waves, and the Coast Guard cutter to port came about 2/3 out of water. Quite a sight that day."

"The April 13 date sounds correct. We were crossing and re-crossing the international date line a lot at that time. So some days were 46 hours long, and others were 2 hours long. It was easy to forget what day it was!"

At Subic Bay Naval Base, 1984, during a liberty stop on her WestPac/Indian Ocean cruise.

Aerial starboard bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) passing under the San Francisco Bay Bridge, August 14, 1985. In the background is the battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62). The ships were taking part in the Peace in the Pacific celebration being held in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the end of the war with Japan. US Navy photo by PHC John Kristofferson (DVIC id: DN-ST-85-10658).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) is seen in dry dock #4 at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Mare Island Naval Shipyard was using the dry dock to maintain carriers homeported in the San Francisco Bay area at this time. U.S. Navy photo, November 1986, file name CVN 65 217505-11-86.

A very curious photograph taken in Singapore in late December 1989. There's an aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), but the boxy "island" structure does not belong to the Big E, but to the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9)—you have to look closely to discern her!. Just to the right of the carrier, in the background, is the battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) and, further right, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, possibly USS Lake Champlain (CG-57). Long Beach, New Jersey and Lake Champlain were part of Battle Group Romeo, led by the battleship.

A stern view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) undergoing overhaul at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corporation dry dock 11 on the James River. Newport News, VA, June 29, 1991. Photo by Don S. Montgomery, USN (Ret.) (DVIC id: DN-SC-92-01234).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) steams in the Virginia Capes operating area during carrier qualifications, December 11, 1995. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Nicholas H. Griseto (# 951211-N-4700G-002).

"Catapult Intruder," air operations aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in the mid-1990s. Artwork © by Alan Craddock, used with permission.

An F/A-18 leaving the deck of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) just on sunset, for a night sortie. The first Hornets to deploy with Enterprise were those of VFA-81 "Sunliners" and VFA-83 "Rampagers," part of Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) during Big E's June–December 1996 cruise. Artwork © by Alan Craddock, used with permission.

An F/A-18C Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron Eight One (VFA-81) "Sunliners" aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), circa 1996.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway in the Persian Gulf, September 22, 1996, while in support of Operation Southern Watch and the extended no-fly zone over Iraq. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Michael D. Malone, arrived in the Gulf September 19, 1996, to join forces with the carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) already on patrol. This action was approved by the President following Saddam Hussein's military action above Iraq's 36th parallel, and subsequent strikes by Navy and Air Force air- and surface-launched cruise missiles, under operation Desert Strike. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Second Class Matthew Hostetler (# 960922-N-7968H-010).

Celebrating the 50th birthday of the Navy's nuclear reactor community, sailors spell out "NR-50" on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), 24 April 1998, in the Virginia Capes Operating Area. U.S. Navy photo.

The Persian Gulf, December 17, 1998 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) steams to the southern end of her operating area the morning after the first wave of air strikes on Iraqi targets. The operation, Operation Desert Fox, was launched after Iraq failed to comply with UN resolutions regarding UNSCOM weapons inspections. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Todd Cichonowicz (# 981217-N-8492C-012).

Underway with Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) aboard, circa 1998-1999.

Four F/A-18C Hornets wait to launch from the bow catapults of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), February 23, 1999, as an F-14B Tomcat launches from the waist catapult. Enterprise was deployed to the Adriatic Sea to support NATO decisions concerning Kosovo. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin D. Olvey, U.S. Navy (# 990223-N-4004O-002).

Steam rises from the number one catapult aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), as an F/A-18C Hornet climbs into the sky and another F/A-18C, from VFA-105 "Gunslingers," awaits its turn. The carrier was operating in the Mediterranean with her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) on a regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Darryl L. Wood, March 9, 1999 (photo # 990309-N-9301W-002).

A row of F/A-18C Hornets undergo maintenance in the hangar deck of USS Enterprise as the carrier operates in the Mediterranean, 11 March 1999. Closest to camera is #201 (BuNo 164265), assigned to VMFA-312 "Checkerboards"; next is #304 (BuNo 164946) assigned to VFA-37 "Bulls." The opening for a deck-edge elevator is visible in the left background. The overhead is used to store drop tanks and spare parts. US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Karl L. Peters (# 990311-N-8854P-002).

An HH-60 Seahawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven (HS-7, the "Dusty Dogs") and embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN-65), hovers in the foreground as two E-2C Hawkeyes attached to Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Six (VAW-126, the "Seahawks") fly over the carrier, April 14, 1999. Enterprise was deployed to the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photograph by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy S. Smith (# 990414-N-5458S-002).

A Landing Signal Officer (LSO) from the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Patuxent River, Md., watches as an F-14A Tomcat makes an arrested landing aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), 15 February 2000. The Big E was conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael W. Pendergrass (#000215-N-3235P-004).

Nov. 5, 2001 — Sailors aboard USS Enterprise spell out "E = mc² x 40" on the carrier's flight deck to mark forty years of U.S. Naval nuclear power as ship and crew return home from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Nov. 9, 2001 — F-14 Tomcats prepare to take off from the flight deck of USS Enterprise.

U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class, Martin Maddock. [011109-N-0872M-507].

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) profile, circa 2002–2004.

May 16, 2003 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) steams alongside the Military Sealift Command Fast Combat Support Ship USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) during an underway replenishment (UNREP). Enterprise was underway off the Atlantic coast conducting carrier qualifications.

(NS026537): U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman (#030516-N-6259P-004).

(NS026537a): U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman (#030516-N-6259P-003).

(NS026537b): U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman (#030516-N-6259P-001).

(NS026537c): U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman (#030516-N-6259P-002).

Atlantic Ocean, Jun. 25, 2003 — Sailors assigned to the air department lay out the barricade on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during a general quarters drill. When raised to a vertical position, the barricade is used to stop aircraft that have to make an emergency landing and are unable to make an arrested tailhook landing. Enterprise was underway in the Atlantic Ocean for Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA) preparing for an upcoming scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Robert Gaston (photo # 030625-N-0119G-002).

Sep. 21, 2003 — The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) makes her way in the Atlantic Ocean during her final preparation for the Enterprise Strike Group deployment to the Mediterranean.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman. [030921-N-6259P-003].

Northern Arabian Sea, Oct. 21, 2003 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) steams toward the Persian Gulf while on her six-month scheduled deployment.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman. [031021-N-6259P-001].

As above.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman. [031021-N-6259P-002].

Arabian Sea, Nov. 11, 2003 — The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64), top, and the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65), bottom, underway alongside the fast combat support ship USS Detroit (AOE-4) during a replenishment at sea. The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was on a scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Douglas M. Pearlman (# 031111-N-6259P-004).

Persian Gulf, Dec. 3, 2003 — As steam from a previous launch billows out of the catapult track, flight deck personnel hustle to prepare an F/A-18 Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Six (VFA-86), to launch from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Milosz Reterski. [031203-N-9742R-002].

Persian Gulf, Jan. 10, 2004 — The fast combat support ship USS Detroit (AOE-4) steams alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65) while conducting an early morning Replenishment at Sea (RAS). Both ships were conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Joshua E. Helgeson. [040110-N-5405H-001].

Persian Gulf, Jan. 23, 2004 — The guided missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Gettysburg (CG-64) steam alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The three ships were in the Persian Gulf on a regularly scheduled deployment, conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Joshua E. Helgeson. [040123-N-5405H-009].

Persian Gulf, Jan. 27, 2004 — The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65), fast combat support ship USS Detroit (AOE-4), and the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) perform a replenishment at sea. The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was nearing the end of a scheduled deployment in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Joshua E. Helgeson (# 040127-N-5405H-002).

Naval Station Norfolk, Va., February 29, 2004 — Sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) "man the rails" as the the nuclear powered aircraft carrier approaches her pier at her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The "Big E" and her strike group were returning after completing a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism, including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Sondra Howett (# 040229-N-7097H-006).

Norfolk, April 18, 2004.

Fort Lauderdale, during Fleet Week. April 27, 2004.

Atlantic Ocean, Jun. 29, 2004 — An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Seven (VAQ-137), makes an arrested landing aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), involved in Summer Pulse 2004, the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat capability across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse was the Navy's first deployment under its new Fleet Response Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert A. Wood (# 040629-N-5469W-023).

USS Enterprise visit to Portsmouth, England, 4th July 2004.

Atlantic Ocean, July 12, 2004 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65), left, and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), right, steam through the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in formation with other US Navy ships and multi-national warships (including two aircraft carriers: the Spanish Príncipe de Asturias (R-11), alongside Enterprise and the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi (C-551), alongside Harry S. Truman) as part of Majestic Eagle 2004. Enterprise and Harry S. Truman were also part of the seven carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004 (see NS026578). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Joshua E. Helgeson (# 040712-N-5405H-101).

Naval Station Norfolk, Va., August 27, 2004 — A UH-3H Sea King helicopter assigned to the Search and Rescue (SAR) unit at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., flies over the aircraft carriers moored at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.; left to right, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USS George Washington (CVN-73), and USS Enterprise (CVN-65). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Anthony M. Koch (# 040827-N-4459K-002).

Norfolk, Va., Oct. 13, 2005 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs Norfolk Naval Base for the first time since Sept. 2004 when she started a scheduled Extended Selected Restricted Availability in Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier then conducted Sea Trials and Flight Deck Certification in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Rob Gaston (# 051013-N-0119G-141).

Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 3, 2005 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), center, sails alongside the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), followed by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65), left, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), right, during an early morning vertical replenishment and underway replenishment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson (# 051103-N-5345W-055).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, November 3, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson (# 051103-N-5345W-097).

Atlantic Ocean, November 3, 2005 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) sails alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during an early morning vertical replenishment (VERTREP). Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) were conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Josh Kinter (# 051103-N-7748K-001).

Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 6, 2006 — USS Enterprise (CVN-65) prepares to conduct a refueling at sea with the guided missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG-74). The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Josh Kinter (# 060206-N-7748K-002).

USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) conducting a connected replenishment (CONREP) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) while sailing through the Atlantic Ocean with USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Taylor (FFG-50), March 3, 2006. Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) were conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). US Navy photo by PH3 Rob Gaston (# 060303-N-0119G-009), from the MSC web site.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) transits the Philippine Sea while conducting a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) combat stores ship USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7), 24 July 2006. The Big E and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) were underway on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Rob Gaston (#060724-N-0119G-018).

As above. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Rob Gaston (#060724-N-0119G-111).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Naval Station Norfolk, Va., 20 April 2007. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the background.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) conducts an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) while the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG-69) follow behind while underway in the Persian Gulf, 4 October 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class N.C. Kaylor (#071004-N-5928K-005).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65), arrives at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., for an extended drydock restricted service availability (EDRSA), 11 April 2008. Photo by Ricky Thompson, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (#426-162).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Naval Station Norfolk, 1 October 2010.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Naval Station Norfolk, 2 October 2010.

Sailors spell out "E=mc²" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ship's commissioning, while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 February 2011. Big E was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the oldest still in service, and was celebrating her 50th birthday on 25 November 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Alex R. Forster (# 110217-N-WO496-001).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 29 June 2011.

Additional views of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) off Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 1 July 2011. Note the Cathedral of Palma in the background, in photo NS0265ax.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, tail code "AB," included the following squadrons:

• Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-11 "Red Rippers," with F/A-18F Hornets, side number 1xx.
• Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-211 "Fighting Checkmates," with F/A-18F Hornets, side number 2xx.
• Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-136 "Knighthawks," with F/A-18E Hornets, side number 3xx.
• Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-251 "Thunderbolts," with F/A-18C(N) Hornets, side number 4xx.
• Carrier Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-137 "Rooks," with EA-6B Prowlers, side number 5xx.
• Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-123 "Screwtops," with E-2C 2000 Hawkeyes, side number 6xx.
• Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-11 "Dragon Slayers," with SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawks, side number 61x.

COD aircraft, not part of CVW-1, were C-2A(R) Greyhounds from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VRC-40 "Rawhides."