CVN-74 is named after U.S. Senator John Cornelius Stennis (1901-1995), who served for 41 years in the U.S. Senate (1947-1988), with eight Presidents, from Truman to Reagan.

Senator Stennis (D-MISS) consistently supported a strong U.S. military and gained the honorary title of "the father of America's modern Navy."

John C. Stennis was built by Newport News Shipbuilding using a modular construction process. Each module is pre-outfitted with machinery, electrical components and piping before being placed in dry dock to assemble the ship.

The photo was taken during sea trials by PHC(AW) Thom Hensley, October 3, 1995. What makes this photo remarkable is that this was the first carrier to have a deck certified for helo operations during sea trials. Therefore, the helo was able to take a photographer up during the high speed rudder checks which are part of sea trials.

LCDR Reed was the first Public Affairs Officer on John C. Stennis.

USS John C. Stennis underway during her shakedown cruise, 1996, with Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8). Official US Navy photo.

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) patrols the Persian Gulf, March 30, 1998, during Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1ST Class James M. Williams (# 980330-N-3178W-004).

USS Mount Hood (AE-29) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) underway off Johnson Atoll, 14 August 1998, while the carrier was offloading ammunitions onto Mount Hood. John C. Stennis was en route to her new homeport in San Diego, CA., finalizing her 1998 around-the-world cruise. US Navy photo by PH3 Jason Brunson (# 980814-N-6932B-001).

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9 fly over the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in a delta formation as the ship steams for her home port of San Diego, Calif., on June 29, 2000. USS John C. Stennis was hosting nearly one thousand friends and family members, called "Tigers," for the transit from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to San Diego. A "Tiger Cruise" allows the friends and family members to experience life at sea with their sailors. US Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Troy D. Summers (# 000629-N-8031S-001).

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) conducts high-speed steering and manuevering checks off the southern California coast, April 20, 2001 following a seven-month maintenance period. Suchs tests are necessary to ensure that all systems function properly in emergency situations as well as under routine conditions. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James A. Farrally, II (# 010420-N-2722F-002).

Note: This image was contributed by two people almost simultaneously. Both of them are credited.

Steaming astern, probably during the same trials period as the photo above, March-April 2001. Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James A. Farrally, II.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departs homeport San Diego, November 12, 2001 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by PH1 Chuck Cavanaugh.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departs homeport San Diego, November 12, 2001 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James A. Farrally, II (# 011112-N-2722F-001).

March 22, 2002 — An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) were conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme T. Pastoric (# 020322-N-9769P-090).

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) heading to sea from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, May 2002.

Tugs churn up Pearl Harbor's shallow bassin as the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departs pier H at the Naval station, May 23, 2002. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme Pastoric (020523-N-9769P-087).

San Diego, California, May 28, 2002 — USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) approaches the pier at Naval Air Station North Island after a six and a half month deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme Pastoric (020528-N-9769P-098).

In port for a refit at San Diego, 21 August 2002 (actually taken at 9:27 am).

San Diego, Calif., Sept. 30, 2002 — An aerial view of San Diego Harbor with four of the Navy's aircraft carriers moored at the Naval Air Station, North Island. The carriers are (from left) USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). It is rare to have this many carriers in port at any one time. U.S. Navy photo (# 020930-N-7265L-001) by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson.

San Diego, 30 November 2002.

San Diego, 2 March 2003.

San Diego, 2 March 2003.

Pacific Ocean, April 3, 2003 — USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) underway off the coast of southern California, while conducting propulsion, navigation and damage control training exercises. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word (# 030403-N-4768W-062).

Pacific Ocean, April 3, 2003 — Guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) pulls along side USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during an underway replenishment at sea (RAS). The aircraft carrier was conducting propulsion, navigation and damage control training exercises in the southern California operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word (# 030403-N-4768W-160).

San Diego, late June 2003.

San Diego, late June 2003.

Pacific Ocean, Aug. 12, 2003 — F/A-18F Super Hornets from the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VFA-102) are prepared for night flight operations on the flight deck aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during training exercises in the Southern California operating area. U.S. Navy photo (# 030812-N-6213R-223) by Photographer's Mate Airman Mark J. Rebilas.

San Diego, Calif., Oct. 26, 2003 — As a U.S. Navy SH-60 Seahawk flies above, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transits the San Diego channel, from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., as she heads to sea under a cloud of smoke from nearby burning wildfires. The carrier was leaving port to conduct scheduled training exercises in the Southern California operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Mark Rebilas (# 031026-N-6213R-023).

Pacific Ocean, Dec. 4, 2003 — An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Flying Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Two (VFA-122) launches from the flight deck on the number two steam bow catapult aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). The San Diego-based aircraft carrier was at sea conducting training exercises in the Southern California operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word. (# 031204-N-4768W-112).

NAS North Island, January 10, 2004. Taken from the San Diego side near Navy Pier.

Pacific Ocean, March 20, 2004 — The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) performs an underway replenishment (UNREP) with the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1). John C. Stennis spent over nine hours alongside Sacramento transferring over 900 pallets of ordnance and supplies. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word (# 040320-N-4768W-068).

Pacific Ocean, April 7, 2004 — The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) cruises the calm waters of the Southern California operating area. John C. Stennis and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) had successfully completed a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word (# 040407-N-4768W-052).

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) sails past Point Loma, Calif., on her way out to the Pacific Ocean from her homeport of San Diego, May 24, 2004. The ship and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) departed on a regularly scheduled deployment. The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was comprised of the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, Aegis-equipped guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG-57), Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83), guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG-54), Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716) and the military sealift command ship oiler USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word (# 040524-N-4768W-116).

Pacific Ocean, June 25, 2004 — Ships from the United States and Canada navigate around the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) while underway in the Pacific Ocean during a multi-national photo exercise. John C. Stennis and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were at sea on a scheduled deployment, and were expected to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC 2004 included seven participating nations: Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Britain and the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric (# 040625-N-9769P-245).

Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 29, 2004 — Sailors "man the rails" aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) as she arrives in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The aircraft carrier and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, during her scheduled deployment supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) Summer Pulse 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tina Lamb (# 040629-N-9312L-025).

Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) render honors to the USS Arizona Memorial as they arrive in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for the multi-national maritime exercise Rim of the Pacific on June 28, 2004. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class William R. Goodwin, U.S. Navy (# 040629-N-3228G-005).

Pacific Ocean, July 6, 2004 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steams out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on her way out to sea. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were taking part in RIMPAC 2004, an exercise intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kevin Eichelberger (# 040706-N-5923E-041).

Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, July 22, 2004 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) passes the USS Missouri memorial as she arrives in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. That year's exercise included seven participating nations: Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC was intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Victoria A. Tullock (# 040722-N-4995T-036).

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, July 2004.

Landing Signal Officers (LSO) aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) evaluate each arrested landing, August 13, 2004. The ship and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were at sea on a regularly scheduled deployment participating in Joint Air Sea Exercise 2004 (JASEX 04) with the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group and units from the U.S. Air Force in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Oscar Espinoza (# 040813-N-0841E-144).

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) cruises through the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean, October 19, 2004. John C. Stennis and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) were on a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Charlie Whetstine (# 041019-N-7732W-113).

An HH-60H Seahawk, assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four (HS-4), performs a simulated search and rescue (SAR) mission alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during plane guard duties in the Pacific Ocean, October 21, 2001. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas (# 041021-N-6213R-064).

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., for her new homeport of Bremerton, Wash., January 5, 2005. San Diego had been home for John C. Stennis and her crew members for six years. U.S. Navy photo by LaQuisha S. Davis (# 050105-N-7281D-038).

Bremerton, Wash., 2006. Four aircraft carriers (front to back): USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) and ex-USS Independence (CV-62). Also visible in this photo are a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, a Knox-class frigate and the fast combat support ships ex-USS Sacramento (AOE-1) and ex-USS Camden (AOE-2).

Photo taken from Discovery Park, Seattle, WA on January 24, 2006. This is a view of the USS John C. Stennis being escorted north through the Puget Sound, with the Olympic Mountain Range in the background.

January 2006.

An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 8 hovers in front of USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during a photo exercise showcasing the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, off the coast of Guam, February 6, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ron Reeves (#070206-N-0684R-952).

Pacific Ocean, August 14, 2007 — Nimitz (CVN-68), Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Groups transit in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, Valiant Shield 2007 included 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The aerial formation, led by an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, consists of aircraft from the carrier strike groups as well as Air Force aircraft. Ships are, left to right: guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG-90); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) and the guided missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) and USS Pinckney (DDG-91); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN-767); aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG-63) and guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Key West (SSN-722); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) and the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG-88) and USS O'Kane (DDG-77); the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer on the extreme right has not been positively identified, but is possibly USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60).

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hana'lei Shimana (# 070814-N-6009S-001).

Another view, as above.

DoD photo # 1542987 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jarod Hodge.

Pacific Ocean, August 24, 2007 — Water sprays up after two F/A-18F Super Hornets, from the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, drop 500-pound bombs during an air power demonstration aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). During the transit across the Pacific Ocean, the carrier hosted a Tiger Cruise for service members' family and friends who are invited to get underway with the ship. The Nimitz-class nuclear-propelled carrier was returning to the United States after a 7.5-month-long deployment promoting peace, regional cooperation and stability and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins (# 070824-N-2659P-139).

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transits Coronado Bay as she arrives at Naval Air Station North Island. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier would disembark Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 before continuing on to her home port of Bremerton, Wash. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group returned after a 7.5-month deployment promoting peace, regional cooperation and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins (#070827-N-2659P-053).