USS John F. Kennedy Leaves Philadelphia for Its Final Journey
The USS John F. Kennedy, a retired Navy aircraft carrier, started its final trip today after sitting at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for almost 20 years. Known as “Big John,” the ship left at around 11 a.m. and is heading to Brownsville, Texas, where it will be taken apart.
The departure, originally planned for January 15, was delayed because of bad weather. With less wind today, the ship made its way down the Delaware River, giving people a chance to watch and say goodbye. It will continue through the Delaware Bay and out into the ocean on its way south.
Moving the USS John F Kennedy Aircraft Carrier
The Wildwood Video Archive make sure to send off the Kennedy in the best way we know how to, with a drone video. You can watch our seagull (drone) video at the bottom of this article. Be sure to have a tissue handy.
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The USS John F. Kennedy was commissioned on September 7, 1968. It was the first Navy ship named after President John F. Kennedy and the last aircraft carrier the Navy built with conventional power.
Over its 39 years of service, the JFK went on 18 missions around the world, including trips to the Mediterranean and other seas during times of tension in the Middle East. Soviet ships often kept an eye on it during these missions.
The JFK also played a role after the September 11 attacks, providing air security along the East Coast as part of “Operation Noble Eagle.”
After being decommissioned in 2007, the USS John F. Kennedy was towed to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where it remained in storage for nearly two decades.
During this time, various efforts were made to preserve the ship as a museum. Groups from Rhode Island and Florida expressed interest in repurposing the vessel, but the high costs of maintenance and conversion ultimately stalled those plans.
Despite its inactive status, the JFK remained a symbol of pride for many who served aboard her, and reunions for former crew members were held periodically to honor its legacy.
In 2018, the Navy awarded a contract to International Shipbreaking Ltd. to dismantle the carrier, signaling the eventual end of the ship’s physical presence. The JFK was sold along side another ship the USS Kitty Hawk.
The USS Kitty Hawk had already been scrapped a few years back.
The JFK was supposed to be towed away last year but plans stalled after an osprey built a nest on the ship. Since ospreys are protected birds, the ship couldn’t be moved until they left the vessel.
As the ship left today, people lined the Delaware River to catch a last glimpse. For many, seeing the huge carrier moving down the river was a powerful moment, marking the end of an era.
When it arrives in Brownsville, the JFK will be dismantled by International Shipbreaking Ltd
This will close the book on the last conventionally powered supercarrier in the Navy’s fleet.
The USS John F. Kennedy’s final journey is more than just a ship being moved. It’s a chance to remember its nearly 40 years of service, from missions during the Cold War to its role after 9/11.
The ship’s story will live on in the memories of those who served on it and the people who saw it as a symbol of American strength.
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