USS INDEPENDENCE/USS KITTY HAWK

USS INDEPENDENCE (CV62)

On September 6, 1997, USS Independence was to call at Otaru (Hokkaido) for the first time.

USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62)

USS INDEPENDENCE (CV62) in Otaru

*Command History

USS INDEPENDENCE was commissioned as a "Forrestal Class" attack aircraft carrier at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard, New York, on January 10, 1959. She is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name INDEPENDENCE.

In 1964 the ship deployed for more than seven monｔhs, including 100 days in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. In August 1990 with Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked, INDEPENDENCE acted to deter Iraqi aggression during Operation DESERT SHIELD.

INDEPENDENCE changed homeports on September 11, 1991, to Yokosuka, Japan. In 1996, Indy ensured peaceful free elections in Taiwan when she moved to the South China Sea to monitor Chinese missile exercises off the coast of Taiwan. On April 18, 1996,President Clinton visited INDEPENDENCE in Yokosuka. She was decommissioned in 1998.

Welcome aboard!

HANGAR DECK

F-14A Tom-cat

*F-14A Tom-cat

One squadron flies the F-14A Tom-cat, a two-seat, twin-engine fighter, featuring adjustable wings for increased maneuverability. Capable of long range air-to-air intercepts, the Tom-cat can track up to 24 targets simultaneously with its advanced weapons control system, destroying them with a variety of air-to-air missiles or 20 mm cannon.

　Shirane (JMSDF)

USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53)

USS MOBILE BAY (CG53)

This is an Aegis Guided Missile Cruiser, "Mobile Bay". She was also to call at Otaru.

*Ship History

MOBILE BAY was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries. She was commissioned on 21 February 1987 at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Alabama.

In June of 1990, MOBILE BAY shifted homeports from Mayport, Florida to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, MOBILE BAY deployed in August 1990 in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and STORM, becoming the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the globe.

Gangway

5 INCH GUN

MK 41 VERTICAL LAUNCHING SYSTEM

5 INCH GUN

SHIP'S BELL

*SHIP'S BELL USS MOBILE (CL 63)

COMMISSIONED 24 MARCH 1943, THE LIGHT CRUISER USS MOBILE SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC DURING WORLD WAR Ⅱ. SHE SAW EXTENSIVE ACTION AND RECRIVED ELEVEN BATTLE STARS.

USS MOBILE WAS DECOMMISSIONED 9 MAY 1947. THE BELL WAS PUT ON DISPLAY ABOARD THE USS ALABAMA MEMORIAL IN FEBRUARY 1972.

THE MOBILE BELL WAS PRESENTED TO USS MOBILE BAY (CG 58) BY THE USS ALABAMA BATTLESHIP COMMISSION AT COMMISSIONING ON 21 FEBRUARY 1987 FOR HER PERIOD OF ACTIVE SERVICE.

A lot of spectators.

AIR PAGENT (At Sapporo)

The E-2C HAWKEYE

F-14A Tom-cat

USS KITTY HAWK (CV63)

On October 13, 2000, USS Kitty Hawk was to call at Otaru.

USS KITTY HAWK (CV63)

Welcome aboard!

He is fluent in Japanese.

FIRST NAVY JACK

*First Navy Jack

As the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River during the fall of 1775, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet signals. His signals for the fleet to engage the enemy provided for the "Strip'd Jack and Ensign at their proper places." Thus, the First Navy Jack was a flag consisting of 13 horizontal alternating red and white strips bearing diagonally across them a rattlesnake in a moving position with the motto "Don't Tread On Me."

In 1977, the Secretary of the Navy directed that the ship in an active status with the longest total period of active service shall display the first Navy Jack until decommissioned or transferred to inactive service, at which time the flag shall be passed to the next ship in line with appropriate honors.