USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69): Ship profile

Construction of the third nuclear-powered and second Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), was authorized by Congress in fiscal year 1970.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69): ARABIAN SEA (March 21, 2007) The aircraft Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts its first day of flight operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was underway for a scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Baker/Released)

The carrier, named after the nation's 34th president, was christened at 11:11 a.m., October 11, 1975, by Mrs. Mamie Doud-Eisenhower, the ship's sponsor and widow of the late president. IKE was commissioned on October 18, 1977, under the command of Captain William E. Ramsey, USN, and assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. After 14 months of fleet training, IKE set sail for her first deployment. Since that time, IKE has completed nine deployments. In 1980, IKE's second extended deployment tallied 254 days at sea with only a five-day port visit in Singapore.

In October 1985 after her fourth deployment, IKE sailed into the Newport News Shipbuilding drydock for a complex overhaul. The 18-month shipyard period included the addition of the Close-in Weapons System, NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, Navy Tactical Data System, Anti-Submarine Warfare module, communications upgrades and refurbishments of 1,831 berths in 25 compartments. IKE re-joined the fleet in April 1987.

In 1990, IKE completed its sixth deployment. The deployment became a commemorative event in the worldwide 'Dwight D. Eisenhower Centennial,' celebrating the 100th anniversary of the late president's birth. During D-Day anniversary ceremonies off the coast of Normandy, IKE's son, John Eisenhower, and D-Day veterans embarked in the ship while Carrier Air Wing Seven conducted a memorial flyover of the American cemetery at Omaha Beach.

In response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, IKE became the second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal and the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the Red Sea. IKE served as a ready striking force in the event Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia, and participated in maritime interception operations in support of a United Nations embargo against Iraq.

After completion of an extensive shipyard and training period, IKE deployed on September 26, 1991 to the Arabian Gulf to continue multi-national operations in support of Operation Desert Storm. IKE returned to Norfolk on April 2, 1992. On January 6, 1993, IKE entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul and conversion, and returned to the fleet on November 12, 1993.

In September 1994, IKE and the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division again made history with the concept of "adaptive force packaging." The division's soldiers and equipment were loaded on board, and the IKE Army and Navy team headed for Port-au-Prince to spearhead Operation Uphold Democracy, the U.S.-led effort to restore the democratically elected government of Haiti.

One month later, in October 1994, IKE departed for a six-month deployment which included flying missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight. This deployment marked the first time that women deployed as crew members of a U.S. Navy combatant ship, the IKE/Carrier Wing Three/COMCRUDESGRU Eight team included more than 400 women.

IKE returned to Newport News Shipbuilding on July 17, 1995, for an 18-month complex overhaul which was completed on January 27, 1997. The ship departed on its 10th deployment on June 10,1998 and returned in December. In February 1999, IKE returned to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a six-month refitting and returned to the fleet in June.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69): NORFOLK (Feb. 21, 2009) Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix/Released)

In February 2000, IKE departed Norfolk for its "Millennium Cruise" to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. After six months at sea and a variety of port calls including Haifa, Bahrain and Lisbon, IKE returned to Norfolk in August 2000. This deployment marked a milestone in the ship's history when the embarked air wing made its first combat ordnance delivery while operating in support of Operation Southern Watch in Iraq.

On May 24, 2001, IKE entered the Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) shipyard for her mid-life Refueling Complex Overhaul where nearly every space and system on board was upgraded or refurbished.

After almost four years at NGNN, IKE returned to her homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on January 25, 2005. The ship completed Sea Trials on March 25, 2005 and after several months of operations, IKE finished a four-month Post Shakedown Availability and Selected Restricted Availability in October 2005. Carrier Strike Group Eight moved aboard in November 2005, and Carrier Air Wing Seven returned to begin the Fleet Readiness Training Plan with the ship in February 2006.

On October 3, 2006, IKE deployed for the first time since 2000, operating in support of the troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and Maritime Security Operations. After spending six months in the 5th Fleet area of operations, the team returned to Norfolk at the end of May 2007.

Mission Statement

The mission of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) is to provide a wide range of flexible mission capabilities, to include maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation. The ship’s embarked air wing is capable of projecting tactical air power over the sea and inland, as well as providing sea-based air, surface and subsurface defense capabilities.

The air wing can engage enemy aircraft, ships, submarines, and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship. Dwight D. Eisenhower's aircraft are used to conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the strike group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade. The air wing provides a visible presence to demonstrate American power and resolve in a crisis. The ship normally operates as the centerpiece of a carrier strike group commanded by an embarked flag officer and consisting of four to six other ships.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's two nuclear reactors give her virtually unlimited range and endurance and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. The ship's four catapults and four arresting gear engines enable her to launch and recover aircraft rapidly and simultaneously. The ship carries approximately three million gallons of fuel for her aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment. The ship also has extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop, and numerous ship repair shops.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69): MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 8, 2007) - Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Mediterranean Sea. Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 were on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Angel Contreras

Facts and Statistics

One of the largest warships in the world, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) displaces 95,000 tons fully loaded and has a 4.5 acre flight deck to support as many as 100 embarked aircraft. Eisenhower's two nuclear reactors can provide energy for more than 18 years of operation without refueling and can furnish power to propel the ship in excess of 30 knots. Because Eisenhower does not require conventional fuel for propulsion, additional space is available for added aircraft fuel and ordnance storage.

Dimensions:
* Length of flight deck: 1,092 ft.
* Width of flight deck: 252 ft.
* Height keel to mast: 244 ft. (equal to 24-story building)
* Area of flight deck: 4.5 acres
* Displacement of carrier: 95,000 tons

Propulsion System:
* Type: Nuclear reactor
* Number of reactors: 2
* Maximum speed: More than 30 knots
* Number of screws: 4 (5 bladed - 25 ft. tall - Bronze)
* Weight of screws: 66,200 lbs. each
* Number of rudders: 2 (29 ft. by 22 ft., 60,000 lbs.)

Flight Deck/Air Wing:
* Number of catapults: 4
* Number of aircraft elevators: 4 (3,880 sq. ft.)
* Size of Air Wing: approximately 60 aircraft

Miscellaneous:
* Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
* Keel laid: Aug. 15, 1970
* Launched: Oct. 11, 1975
* Commissioned: Oct. 18, 1977
* Planned crew size: 6,287 (including air wing)
* Number of anchors: 2
* Weight of anchors: 60,000 lbs. each
* Anchor chain: 1,082 ft. on each anchor (365 lbs. per link)
* Total anchor weight including chain: 735,000 lbs. each
* Distillation plant capacity: 400,000 gals.
* Number of light fixtures: approx. 29,000

Additional images from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Photo Gallery:

Source: U.S. Navy