See aboard the ex-supercarrier John F. Kennedy, the scene of one of the greatest military pranks of all time

Lauren FriasMar 7, 2024, 08:12 IST

Sailors from the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) tour the decommissioned flattop John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.US Navy Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jayme Pastoric

The ex-USS John F. Kennedy was the last conventionally-powered carrier built for the Navy.
The aircraft carrier was also the site of one of the greatest military pranks.

The ex-USS John F. Kennedy, the retired first-in-class aircraft supercarrier, is headed to the scrapyard following a nearly 40-year service.

Its legacy will live on in a new supercarrier and stories of the insane prank that once happened on its decks.

First-in-class

USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) underway during carrier air wing qualifications in the northern Puerto Rican operations area.Naval History and Heritage Command

The last conventionally powered carrier built for the US Navy

A side view of the decommissioned ship USS John F. Kennedy moored at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.US Navy Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jayme Pastoric

As tall as a 25-story building from keel to mast

An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter crosses the bow of John F. Kennedy as the carrier battle group arrived in the Mediterranean Sea.US Navy photo by Photographers Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire

As wide as a World War I destroyer was long

Two F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft are being readied for launch from the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy in the Mediterranean Sea.National Archives & Records Administration

Armament

A NATO RIM-7 "Sea Sparrow" missile leaves its launcher during a live fire exercise aboard USS John F. Kennedy.US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire

Deployment

Laser-guided bombs line the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in preparation for air strikes against Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.LCDR Dave Parsons/Released

The greatest military prank of all time

Aircrewmen, not the ones involved in the prank, are lifted from the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy by an HH-60H "Seahawk" helicopter.US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire

Plagued by budget cuts

A 25-foot Defender-class safe boat from Coast Guard Station Little Creek maintains a security zone around the USS John F. Kennedy.US Coast Guard Photo by PA2 John D. Miller

Sold for a cent

Coast Guard Station Boston crewmembers, aboard a 25-foot Defender Class boat, enforced the Naval Protection Zone and provided a security umbrella as USS John F. Kennedy transited into the port of Boston.USCG photo by PA3 Lisa Hennings

'Crying over a rusted piece of metal'

Officers render honors during a 19-gun salute at the decommissioning ceremony of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Regina L. Brown

The next JFK

The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy is the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford class, the Navy's newest class of nuclear aircraft carriers.US Navy photo illustration courtesy of Newport News Shipbuilding/Released

The US Navy's new floating base for Marines and Navy SEALs is named for a Vietnam war hero

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