So You Think You've Spotted an Aircraft Carrier in Philly? Hold Your Horses, Maverick!
Ah, Philadelphia. City of Brotherly Love, cheesesteaks that defy the laws of physics, and... wait, an aircraft carrier? You might be doing a double cheesesteak-induced dream take, but there have indeed been carriers in the City of Brotherly Love. Let's untangle this nautical mystery, shall we?
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| What Aircraft Carrier Is In Philadelphia |
The Not-So-Secret History of Aircraft Carriers in Philly
There once was a mighty ship named the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), a proud member of the Kitty Hawk class. This titan of the seas cruised the waves for nearly 40 years before docking in Philadelphia for a hefty overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Think of it as a pitstop for a very, very large car. After flexing its mechanical muscles, the USS John F. Kennedy set sail for calmer waters.
But wait, there's more! The story doesn't end there. The Navy had another USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) planned, a shiny new toy in the Gerald R. Ford class. To avoid any confusion down the line, they decided to, ahem, politely retire the old CV-67 in 2007.
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So, Where's the Carrier Now, Captain?
Here's the kicker: the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) is no longer in active service. Currently, it's chilling at the NAVSEA Inactive Ships On-site Maintenance facility (say that five times fast) in Philadelphia. Think of it as a luxurious (well, maybe not that luxurious) retirement home for a well-deserving warship.
Important side note: As of late 2017, the Navy decided to dismantle the CV-67 instead of turning it into a museum. So, while you might not be able to explore its decks and relive your Top Gun fantasies, you can still learn about its impressive history.
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Carrier Confusion FAQ
Hold on a sec, we know this whole carrier kerfuffle can be a bit mind-boggling. Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions:
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How to Know For Sure There's a Carrier in Philly?
In short, unless you have a time machine set for 2007 or earlier, you won't see an active carrier docked in Philadelphia.
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How Can I Learn More About Aircraft Carriers? The Navy website and museums dedicated to naval history are fantastic resources!
How About a Tour of a Retired Carrier? There are a number of retired aircraft carriers that now serve as museums. A quick web search can help you find one near you!
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How Much Would it Cost to Buy an Aircraft Carrier? Let's just say you'd need a lot more than cheesesteak money. Public auction isn't really a thing for these behemoths.
How Do I Become a Pilot and Land on an Aircraft Carrier? That, my friend, requires some serious dedication and training. Talk to your local Navy recruiter for more info!
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