CVN-69 is named after General of the Army Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969), 34th President of the United States of America (1953-1961).

Bringing to the Presidency his prestige as commanding general of the victorious forces in Europe during World War II, Eisenhower obtained a truce in Korea and worked incessantly during his two terms to ease the tensions of the Cold War. He pursued the moderate policies of "Modern Republicanism," pointing out as he left office, "America is today the strongest, most influential, and most productive nation in the world."

It was during the eight years of President Eisenhower's administration that the Navy's nuclear shipbuilding program experienced significant growth: contracts were awarded for 27 nuclear-powered attack submarines, the first 14 Polaris submarines, and the first three nuclear-powered surface ships (USS Long Beach, USS Enterprise, and USS Bainbridge.)

Underway in the Atlantic.

Circa 1977. Great view of flight deck layout.

US Navy photo, from the National Archives.

Bow-on view, sometime in 1978-1985. Official US Navy photo.

Mediterranean Sea, July 6, 1979 — A port bow view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), foreground, with a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter at the stern, as she is relieved by USS Independence (CV-62) at the end of Ike's first overseas deployment. US Navy photo by PHC C. Pedrick (DVIC id: DNSC8200317).

An aerial port starboard beam view, from front to back, of the combat stores ship USS Mars (AFS-1), the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) underway in the Indian Ocean, November 10, 1980. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DNSC8402673).

An aerial port view of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) as crewmen stand in formation to spell "IKE" on the flight deck, August 1983. Official US Navy photo.

A port bow view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) underway off the coast of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Atlantic Ocean (AOC), 20 November 1987. Photo by LT. Azzolina (# DNST8801724).

Carrier Air Wing 3 stayed in Norfolk and Ike transported some 2,200 troops, 51 helicopters, equipment, ammunition and vehicles from the US Army's 10th Mountain Division.

Underway, possibly in the second half of the 1990s.

"Ike" inbound to the Norfolk Naval Station — she has Ft. Monroe/Old Point Comfort light on her starboard side. Photo believed to have been taken in the late 1990s.

(Thanks to CAPT Will Dossel, USN, who provided this info).

Norfolk, Va., June 10, 1998 — The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) gets a little shove out to sea as she departs for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Mediterranean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Ronald Strickland (# 980610-N-2114S-037).

June 10, 1998 — Crewmembers on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) man the rails as the ship begins her departure. The carrier was enroute to the Mediterranean for a six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Sarah E. Isaacs (# 980110-N-6466I-003).

Underway photo believed to have been taken during Ike's 1998 Cruise, June 10-December 10. The oiler in the background is possibly USNS Kanawha (T‑AO 196).

Sailors stand watch in the Carrier Control Area aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) while operating in the Adriatic Sea, October 15, 1998. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Brian R. Brunelle (# 981015-N-1271B-001).

Four official US Navy photos taken during the ship's 10th Med Cruise (1998).

USNS Kanawha (T‑AO 196) refuels USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG-71) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), 2 October 1999.

U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class David E. Carter II (# 991002-N-7750C-011).

An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter hovers near USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), probably during the ship's 2000 Cruise (February 19-August 18).

Jul. 15, 2000 — The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) eases into quay number 3 in the port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates to begin a four-day port visit following a two-month line period in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Chief Gregory S. McCreash (# 000715-N-7412M-003).

The Indian Ocean, Jul. 22, 2000 — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) steams in company with USS George Washington (CVN-73) as the two crews conduct a turnover in preparation for Ike's return home and George Washington heading north to support Operation Southern Watch in the Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Gregory S. McCreash. [000722-N-7412M-005].

Another view, as above. US Navy photo by PH2 David E. Carter II (# 000801-N-7750C-001).

Naval Station, Norfolk, Va., Aug. 18, 2000 — Aerial view of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with crew manning the rails. The carrier was returning from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Second Class David E. Carter II. [000818-N-7750C-001].

Nov. 3, 2000 — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) heads for the open ocean as she passes the Thimble Shoals Channel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. She was conducting carrier qualifications off the Virginia coast. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Gregory S. McCreash (# 001103-N-7412M-001).

Norfolk, Va., Feb. 8, 2005 — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is assisted by tugboats as she is moved to a different pier on board Naval Station Norfolk, Va. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Christopher B. Long (# 050208-N-7359L-045).

Atlantic Ocean, Mar. 31, 2005 — An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Three One (VFA-131), prepares to make the first fixed-wing aircraft recovery aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in four years. This was the first cycle of flight operations following a four-year mid-life overhaul. Dwight D. Eisenhower was underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Chris Molinari (# 050331-N-5884M-092).

Atlantic Ocean, Apr. 19, 2005 — Crewmembers aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) spell out "IKE IS BACK" on the ship's flight deck, celebrating the carrier's successful return to the fleet following a four-year, $2.5 billion, mid-life refueling complex overhaul. The aircraft carrier, 27.5 years old, received state-of-the art equipment and technology, enabling her to serve for another 25 years. Ike was underway conducting routine carrier operations in preparation for fulfilling her role in the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Benjamin Olvey (# 050419-N-4004O-001).

Norfolk, Va., Sep. 25, 2005 — Air Department personnel assemble the emergency-landing barricade net on the flight deck during a training drill in port. In emergency situations, the barricade is stretched across the carrier's deck to stop aircraft unable to return safely aboard, or to available sites ashore. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christopher B. Long (# 050926-N-7359L-001).

Norfolk, Va., Oct. 18, 2005 — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) gets underway from Pier 12 on board Naval Station Norfolk following the ship's Post Shakedown Availability and Selected Restricted Availability. The carrier, celebrating her 28th birthday, was ready to conduct Sea Trials, ending the final phase of the ship's four-year mid-life overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Laura A. Moore (# 051018-N-6639M-002).

Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 3, 2005 — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), foreground, steams alongside the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) as she conducts an underway replenishment with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Both carriers were underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting ammunition offloads and underway replenishments. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson (# 051103-N-5345W-071).

Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 16, 2006 — Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) prepare to launch from the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The carrier and her embarked Air Wing were conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Period. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Scott Wojciechowski (# 060216-N-7318W-003).

Atlantic Ocean, Mar. 7, 2006 — An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VFA-103) prepares to take off from the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The carrier and Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) were underway conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Period. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christopher B. Long (# 060307-N-7359L-004).

Norfolk, Va., October 14, 2007 — Right to left: USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).