CNMI officials recently toured the USS Kitty Hawk, one of the largest aircraft carriers ever built.
“It was very, very impressive,” Gov. Juan N. Babauta told Variety yesterday, describing the experience as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Babauta led the Northern Marianas officials who were invited by Adm. Patrick W. Dunne, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in the Marianas.
Kitty Hawk is berthed near Guam, about 250 nautical miles from Saipan.
It was “awesome,” according to Special Assistant for Administration Thomas Tebuteb.
Mike Schadeck, chairman of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s armed forces subcommittee, said the aircraft carrier was “indescribable.”
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, described the USS Kitty Hawk as “amazing.”
Homeported in Yokosuka, Japan since Aug. 11, 1998, the USS Kitty Hawk is the third biggest aircraft carrier in the world. It holds about 85 airplanes, has more than 6,000 military personnel and is one of the “most feared” military machines in the world today.
Babauta said the ship has excellent health care facilities, which include a 64-bed capacity hospital, “almost as big” as the Commonwealth Health Center.
Babauta said their visit “added a greater appreciation” for the military’s role in ensuring the nation’s security.
“It made us very proud to be Americans,” Manglona said. He is hoping that the U.S. Department of Defense would allow CNMI students, particularly those aspiring to join the military, to tour the vessel.
The CNMI delegation said they were also grateful to their hosts, the ship’s commanding officer, Thomas A Hegl, and Air Wing Cmdr. Michael J. Galtin.
