USS Kitty-Hawk (CV-63); Yokosuka, Japan - ENG (E-DIV)

• Commissioned in 1961: USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) was commissioned on April 29, 1961, and served as the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers. • Named After a Historic Site: The carrier is named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered flight in 1903. • Vietnam War Service: Kitty Hawk played a significant role in the Vietnam War, conducting combat operations and launching air strikes from the Gulf of Tonkin. • Longest-serving Operational Carrier: At the time of her decommissioning in 2009, Kitty Hawk was the oldest active aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. • Homeported in Yokosuka, Japan: From 1998 to 2008, Kitty Hawk was forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as the only permanently forward-deployed U.S. aircraft carrier. • ENG (E-DIV) - Engineering Division: The Engineering Division (E-DIV) was responsible for the ship's propulsion, power generation, and overall engineering readiness, ensuring the carrier could operate independently at sea. • Participation in Operation Enduring Freedom: After the September 11 attacks, Kitty Hawk supported Operation Enduring Freedom by providing air support for operations in Afghanistan. • Fire Incident in 1967: In October 1967, a major fire broke out in one of the engineering spaces, but the crew's quick action—especially from E-DIV personnel—prevented catastrophic damage. • Historic Port Visits: During her deployment in Asia, Kitty Hawk made numerous goodwill visits to regional allies, strengthening U.S. relations in the Pacific. • Notable “Lasts”: Kitty Hawk was the last conventionally fueled aircraft carrier in active service, marking the end of an era as the Navy transitioned to nuclear-powered carriers.