It was evident that Japan was in the midst of winter, as the slush and snow blanketed the flight deck and surrounding pier of USS Independence recently. The harsh weather conditions were a gentle reminder of what the weather was like 39 years ago in the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard as thousands gathered for the unveiling of the Navy's newest ship. After her January 10th commissioning ceremony, the 81,000 ton latest and greatest aircraft carrier pushed through the icy waters of the Hudson River steaming her first few miles in what was to become a legacy in Naval history.
The paint was barely dry, the racks have never been slept in, and the kitchen utensils never used as she and her crew members eased their way under the Brooklyn Bridge toward her home port of Norfolk, Virginia. History would later showcase that over the 39 years, Indy would be home to more than 175,000 Sailors and Marines, would travel over four and a half million miles, and would visit every corner of the earth.
The same pride and devotion to duty that the first crew of Independence felt, was clearly seen in Indy's hanger bay as the current crew celebrated her 39th and final birthday. Captain Mark Milliken, Indy's Commanding Officer who will take the ship and her crew to decommissioning was the keynote speaker in the day's events.
"Today is your birthday," Milliken said. "And I encourage all of you to take a few moments to think about the great job you have done to keep her history alive and well."
Indy began her long life of service by first seeing conflict in the "Bay of Pigs" Invasion during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It was there that Indy was called on by President John F. Kennedy to provide rapid response in support of America's peace keeping efforts during the height of the Cold War. "Freedom's Flagship" was also a key participant in launching numerous air strikes into Vietnam during the earlier stages of the war. In addition to conflicts in Grenada and Lebanon, Indy was the first carrier to enter the Arabian Gulf since 1974, when she played a key role in Operation Desert Shield in 1990.
Milliken also added that while Indy has an impressive history, awesome weapon's system, along with a powerful airwing, that she is nothing without her crew.
"You are as much a part of Indy's birthday as the ship itself," he concluded. "I am honored to serve you and her as the final commanding officer, and I hope that each one of you are just as honored to serve as part of the crew."
Indy is scheduled to decommission in Bremerton, Washington in September 1998.