Decommissioned U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Sold for a Penny Each
In a surprising move, the United States Navy has recently sold two decommissioned aircraft carriers, the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS John F. Kennedy, to International Shipbreaking Limited (ISL) for a mere one cent each. This unconventional deal marks a significant departure from the norm and has raised eyebrows in the maritime community.
The USS Kitty Hawk, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was commissioned in 1961 and served the Navy faithfully for decades before being decommissioned in 2017. Since then, it has been anchored at a Naval facility in Bremerton, Washington. Similarly, the USS John F. Kennedy, a distinctive variant of the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 1968 and saw action during the Gulf War before its decommissioning in 2009. It has been anchored at the Philadelphia Naval Yard since then.
The sale was approved by the Naval Sea Systems Command, a branch of the U.S. Navy, and is a cost-saving measure for the Navy, as ISL will profit from the recycling of scrap iron, steel, and non-ferrous metal ore collected from the carriers. This cost-cutting approach is in stark contrast to previous transactions where the Navy had to pay for towing and ship-breaking services, which often incurred substantial expenses.
Chris Green, Senior Manager of ISL, anticipates that the recycling process for these enormous vessels will take several months. Due to the sensitive nature of naval engineering, particularly concerning the USS John F. Kennedy, employees involved in the project will undergo thorough background checks with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Green noted that the timeline for the USS JFK remains uncertain, as it depends on various factors, including the agency’s workload.
Interestingly, veterans who once served aboard these carriers will not have the opportunity to revisit their former vessels, as access is restricted post-sale. However, ISL intends to pay tribute to the former crew members of the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS John F. Kennedy upon their arrival at port. This observance will serve as a respectful farewell to the carriers’ rich histories and the individuals who contributed to their legacies.
The sale of these iconic aircraft carriers for just one cent each may be unconventional, but it reflects the Navy’s commitment to cost-effective solutions and the recycling of valuable resources. As ISL begins the meticulous process of breaking down these colossal ships, they will leave an indelible mark on naval history and the scrap metal industry.
