Independence departs homeport of
Yokosuka, Japan for the last time

The only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, USS Independence (CV 62) departed it's homeport of Yokosuka, Japan for the last time this morning amongst a sea of media, distinguished visitors, and onlookers.

With Indy is USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) who is changing homeports from Yokosuka to San Diego, Calif. Bunker Hill will be joining the multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific '98 (RIMPAC) in Hawaii before heading to San Diego in mid-August for an over-haul period which is expected to last 10 months.

Before Independence departed Japan, a ceremony was held on the pier to commemorate this historic day.

"This is a sad day for all Indy Sailors," Capt. Mark R. Milliken, Independence's Commanding Officer said in his speech during the ceremony. "For nearly the past seven years "Indy" has called Yokosuka home."

Indy, the oldest ship in the United States Navy, arrived in Yokosuka on September 11, 1991. Since that time, she has been to the Arabian Gulf three times in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and was the stabilizing presence during the heightened tensions between China and Taiwan in March 1996.

"Freedom's Flagship's" most recent call to duty was this past January when she departed on a very short notice deployment to the Arabian Gulf.

"Of the 12 aircraft carriers in the United States inventory, Indy was the only one who could respond at such short notice to further enforce U.N. sanctions," Milliken said. "This short notice deployment took teamwork, not just from the Indy CAG-5 (Carrier Air Wing FIVE) team, but from the entire Yokosuka community."

But this positive relationship and teamwork between the Japanese community and the Independence crew is nothing new.

"Indy's relationship with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, the city governments and the JANAFA organization have been second to none," Milliken said. "Our annual bilateral exercise with JMSDF called "Annualex" and our multinational exercise, Rim of the Pacific shows how our training between our two Navies pays great dividends. You all are true professionals who exemplify the best in the world."

In the next ten days, Independence will grace Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with a warm "Aloha." There she will turn over the reigns of the only forward deployed status to USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Carrier Group FIVE staff, Carrier Air Wing FIVE and hundreds of Indy Sailors will cross-deck to Kitty Hawk.

Indy, in her 39th year of service, is scheduled to decommission in Bremerton, Washington September 30.

Caption1: Sailors quietly observe the pier as Independence departs Yokosuka, Japan. (Photo by JO3 Joseph Rehana)

Caption 2: With the "Don't Tread On Me" Flag shown in the background, these Sailors standing at parade rest are just a few examples of the more than 4,000 Sailors which make up the Independence crew. (Photo by JO3 Joseph Rehana)

Caption 3: Before Indy left its homeport for the last time, a farewell ceremony was held on the pier. (Above) a Sailor watches from the Flight Deck. (Photo by JO3 Joseph Rehana)