USS Enterprise makes final foreign port Visit at Naples, Italy

October 20, 2012 Aircraft Carriers

David Cenciotti

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)

One of the most awesome pictures ever taken on board USS Enterprise: starry night over Gulf of Aden. (theaviationist.com)

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a freelance journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

john desnoyers says:

October 20, 2012 at 3:28 PM

Excellent photo; a true symbol of America’s might and resolve. May she ever rest in peace and be a fortress in the memories of the crews that have served her during the past 50 years.
flightdreamz says:

October 20, 2012 at 7:48 PM

Hopefully the “Big E” will end up preserved somewhere and not fall prey to the scrapyard when she’s retired.