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USS Nimitz First Nuclear-Powered Ship To Visit Malaysia
PORT KLANG, June 30 (Bernama) -- United States aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived at Westport, here Thursday for its maiden call in Malaysia, the first nuclear-powered vessel to dock in Malaysian waters.Nimitz commanding officer Captain T.N. Branch said the ship's nuclear power plants posed no radiation threat as there had never been any such incident in its 30-year service. During that time, the ship had travelled 132 million miles, which was equivalent to 5,000 times around the earth, and called at 150 countries, he added. Touted as the largest warship in the world, the US$4.1 billion (RM15.6 billion) USS Nimitz was commissioned on May 13, 1975. It has two nuclear power plants for its propulsion and is more than 18 storeys high from the keel to the top of the mast. The ship, which is manned by a crew of 3,200 plus 2,480 personnel for the air wing, carries 45 jet fighters, 12 supporting aircraft and six helicopters. Rear Admiral Peter H. Daly, the commander of the Nimitz's Carrier Strike Group Eleven, said the crews were eager to witness Malaysian culture and people during the five-day port call. He said the main purpose of the port call was to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the US and Malaysia. And the 'howler': Helicopter pilot Second Class Petty Officer Kortney Backer, 22, said she was glad for the opportunity to visit Malaysia and it was a relief to be on land again after a long voyage. Posted by: Pappy 2005-07-01 |
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