On its way to decommissioning, whose ceremony is scheduled on Dec. 1, 2012, bringing to an end 51 years of service, aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) anchored in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, for its final port visit following seven months at sea, on Oct. 16.
The “Big E” departed her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on March 11 for a regular deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The USS Enterprise (CVN 65) transits the Strait of Messina on its way to Naples (Image credit: U.S. Navy)