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| Construction of the third nuclear-powered and second Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) was authorized by Congress in fiscal year 1970. The carrier, named after the nation's 34th president, was christened at 11:11 a.m., Oct. 11, 1975, by Mrs. Mamie Doud-Eisenhower, the ship's sponsor and widow of the late president. IKE was commissioned on Oct. 18, 1977, under the command of Capt. William E. Ramsey, USN, and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. After 14 months of fleet training, IKE set sail for her first Mediterranean deployment. Since that time, IKE has completed eight Mediterranean deployments. In 1980, IKE's second extended deployment tallied 254 days at sea with only a five-day stopover in Singapore. After its fourth deployment IKE sailed into Newport News and Drydock in October 1985 for a complex overhaul. The 18-month yard period included the addition of the Close-in Weapons System, NATO Seasparrow Missile System, Navy Tactical Data System, Anti-Submarine Warfare module, communications upgrades and rehabilitation of 1,831 berths in 25 compartments. IKE re-entered the fleet in April 1987. In 1990, IKE completed its sixth Mediterranean Sea deployment. The deployment became a commemorative event in the worldwide 'Dwight D. Eisenhower Centennial,' celebrating the 100th anniversary of the late president's birth. During D-Day anniversary ceremonies off the coast of Normandy, IKE's son, John Eisenhower,and D-Day veterans embarked in the ship while Carrier Air Wing Seven conducted a memorial flyover of the American cemetery at Ohmaha Beach. In response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, IKE became the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the Red Sea. IKE was the second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez canal. IKE served as a ready striking force in the event Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia, and participated in maritime interception operations in support of a United National embargo against Iraq. After completion of an extensive shipyard period and work ups, IKE deployed Sept. 26, 1991 to the Arabian Gulf to continue multi-national operations with coalition forces in support of Operation Desert Storm. IKE returned to Norfolk April 2, 1992. On Jan. 6, 1993, IKE entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul and conversion,and returned to the fleet November 12, 1993. In September 1994, IKE and the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division again made history with the concept of "adaptive force packaging." The division's soldiers and equipment were loaded on board, and the IKE Army and Navy team headed for Port-au-Prince to spearhead Operation Uphold Democracy, the U.S. - led effort to restore he democratically elected government of Haiti. One month later, in October 1994, IKE departed for a six-month deployment which included flying missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight. This deployment marked the firstT ime that women had deployed as crewmembers of a U.S. Navy combatant. The IKE, Carrier Wing Three, and COMCRUDESGRU Eight team included more than 400 women. IKE returned to Newport News Shipbuilding on July 17, 1995, for an 18-month complex overhaul which was completed on Jan. 27, 1997. The ship departed on its 10th deployment on June 10,1998 and returned in December. In February 1999, IKE returned to the Norfolk Navy Shipyard for a six-month refitting and returned to the fleet in June. Upon completion in June 1999, she returned to full duty in the fleet. |
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