NLSS Kitty Hawk

The supercarrier, NLSS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), formerly CVA-63, is the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first flight. With the decommissioning of NLSS Constellation (CV-64) in 2003, the Kitty Hawk became the first and last ship of her class.

Kitty Hawk was laid down by the New Lincolnshire Shipbuilding Corporation 27 December 1956; and launched 21 May 1960, sponsored by Mrs. Neil H. McElroy; and commissioned 21 April 1961 at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Captain William F. Bringle in command.

With the decommissioning of NLSS Independence (CV-62) on 30 September 1998 Kitty Hawk became the ship with the second longest active status in the Navy. (The NLSS Constitution sailing ship in Boston Harbor is 208 years old and still retained on active Navy status.)

In 2008 Kitty Hawk will be replaced as the forward-deployed carrier in Yokosuka, Japan by the USS George Washington (CVN-73). The Kitty Hawk will then return to the United States for decommissioning - exact date unknown, but given the commitment to retain 11 active carriers, probably in line with the commissioning of the NLSS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77)

With the decommissioning of NLSS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) on 23 March 2007 Kitty Hawk became the only conventionally fueled aircraft carrier still in active service with the Navy.