Saturday, April 21, 2001

Story and photos by Donovan Brooks, Guam bureau chief

USS Kitty Hawk sailors man the rails as the aircraft carrier pulls into Apra Harbor, Guam on Friday. The carrier and the cruiser USS Vincennes are visiting Guam for a week; the Kitty Hawk celebrated its 40th birthday on Friday.

PITI — Sweethearts and hula dancers met the USS Kitty Hawk on Friday in Guam.

The aircraft carrier arrived at Apra Harbor for a weeklong visit that will include crew rest and relaxation, and preparation for the ship’s participation in an upcoming Tandem Thrust military exercise next month.

The aroma of fast-food and beer wafted through the air as hotel and tour representatives manned tables awaiting sailors hungry for burgers, chalupas and recreation ideas.

On a scale of 10, "crew morale is pushing a good 9," Kitty Hawk spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Rick Haupt said. "People are excited to be spending some time here."

The ship has been at sea since early March and is about halfway through the deployment, which will include participation in the exercise, Tandem Thrust, next month in Australia.

Wilma Fleming, 16, performs with a local dance troupe Friday as the USS Kitty Hawk prepares to tie up in Apra Harbor, Guam.

"We need some time to recharge our batteries," Haupt said.

Sailors from the carrier are looking forward to golf, snorkling and enjoying the climate, Haupt said.

The cruiser USS Vincennes arrived in Guam with the Kitty Hawk. The USS Chancellorsville and Gary, also part of the carrier battle group, are visiting Saipan this week.

Travis Kloppenberg of Turtle Tours said his company was contracted to provide 15 buses to transport sailors to shopping and recreation areas from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

The Guam business community is hoping to get a boost from the reported $200-a-day spent by the average sailor on shore leave.

USS Kitty Hawk sailors man the rails and Guam workers wait to tie up the aircraft carrier as it is guided into Apra Harbor by tugboats Friday.

"Everybody’s excited," Kloppenburg said.

He added the stops, mostly major shopping destinations, were decided by the Navy.

The Kitty Hawk, the oldest active ship in the Navy, celebrated its 40th birthday Friday afternoon.

The ship will give tours to invited guests on Monday and will hold an open-house on Tuesday.

Back to April's stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February, 2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home