History of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Timeline

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in 1977. It's the second of its class and named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Built at Newport News Shipbuilding, it shares the initial design of the lead ship, Nimitz, but has undergone overhauls to maintain modern standards. The ship's original designation was USS Eisenhower but was modified in 1970 to its current name.

May 1970: Name changed to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

In May 1970, the name of the vessel was changed to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from the initial USS Eisenhower.

June 1970: Construction contract awarded

On June 29, 1970, Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded the contract for the construction of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

August 1970: Laid down as hull number 599

On August 15, 1970, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was laid down as hull number 599 at Newport News shipyard.

October 1975: Launched after christening by Mamie Doud Eisenhower

In October 1975, on the 11th, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was launched after being christened by Mamie Doud Eisenhower, Dwight Eisenhower's widow.

October 1977: Commissioned with Captain William E. Ramsey in command

On October 18, 1977, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was commissioned with Captain William E. Ramsey in command.

January 1979: First deployment to the Mediterranean Sea

In January 1979, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower sailed for her first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

1980: Deployment to the Indian Ocean during the Iran hostage crisis

In 1980, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was dispatched to the Indian Ocean in response to the Iran hostage crisis.

July 1982: Return from third deployment to the Mediterranean Sea

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned from her third deployment to the Mediterranean Sea on July 13, 1982.

December 1983: End of fourth deployment

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower completed her fourth deployment on December 2, 1983.

June 1984: Deployed to Normandy, France and Portsmouth, England

In June 1984, for the 40th anniversary of D-Day, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed to Normandy, France and Portsmouth, England.

October 1985: Overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock

In October 1985, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower went into Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock for a major overhaul.

April 1987: Re-entered the fleet

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower re-entered the fleet in April 1987, after an 18-month yard period.

February 1988: Started sixth deployment to the Mediterranean

On February 29, 1988, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower started her sixth deployment to the Mediterranean.

August 1988: Collision with Spanish bulk carrier

On August 29, 1988, while returning to Norfolk, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower collided with an anchored Spanish bulk carrier, the Urduliz, while entering the harbor to dock at Norfolk Naval Station, causing minor damage to both ships.

September 1988: Entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard

In September 1988, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for repairs.

April 1989: Returned to the fleet

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to the fleet in April 1989 after repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

1990: Seventh Mediterranean deployment

In 1990, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower completed her seventh Mediterranean deployment, commemorating the "Dwight D. Eisenhower Centennial".

September 1991: Deployed to the Persian Gulf

On September 26, 1991, after completion of an extensive shipyard period and work-up, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed to the Persian Gulf to continue multi-national operations in support of Operation Desert Storm.

April 1992: Returned to Norfolk

On April 2, 1992, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to Norfolk.

January 1993: Entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul

On January 12, 1993, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul and conversion.

November 1993: Returned to the fleet

On November 12, 1993, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to the fleet after overhaul and conversion.

September 1994: Tested adaptive force packaging concept

In September 1994, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and elements of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division tested the concept of adaptive force packaging, heading for Port-au-Prince to lead Operation Uphold Democracy.

October 1994: Deployment with female crew members

In October 1994, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed for a six-month deployment, marking the first time that women had deployed as crew members of a U.S. Navy combatant.

April 1995: "Wheel of Fortune" recorded on the Eisenhower

In April 1995, the game show "Wheel of Fortune" recorded two weeks of shows from the hangar bay of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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July 1995: Returned to Newport News Shipbuilding for overhaul

On July 17, 1995, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to Newport News Shipbuilding for an 18-month complex overhaul.

January 1997: Overhaul completed

On January 27, 1997, the 18-month complex overhaul of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was completed.

June 1998: Departed on 10th deployment

On June 10, 1998, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed on her 10th deployment.

February 1999: Returned to Norfolk Navy Shipyard for refitting

In February 1999, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to the Norfolk Navy Shipyard for a six-month refitting.

June 1999: Returned to full duty in the fleet

Upon completion in June 1999, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to full duty in the fleet after refitting.

February 2000: Embarked aircraft dropped ordnance in combat

In February 2000, during the "Millennium Cruise", USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's embarked aircraft dropped ordnance in combat for the first time while enforcing Operation Southern Watch's No-Fly Zone over Iraq.

October 2006: Returned to sea as flagship of Carrier Strike Group Eight

On October 3, 2006, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to sea as flagship of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8).

December 2006: Entered the Persian Gulf

In December 2006, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the Persian Gulf.

January 2007: Provided air cover for operation in Somalia

On January 8, 2007, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed in the Indian Ocean to provide air cover for a U.S. AC-130 gunship operation targeting Al-Qaeda operatives in Somalia.

March 2007: Battle group exercises off the Iranian coastline

In March 2007, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower began battle group exercises off the Iranian coastline following the Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel.

October 2008: Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Lemar Robinson killed

On October 4, 2008, Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Lemar Robinson was killed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during training exercises off the coast of North Carolina.

February 2009: Deployed to the Arabian Sea

On February 21, 2009, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed to the Arabian Sea and environs, rotating into the forward-deployed forces there and supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

July 2009: Returned to Naval Station Norfolk

On July 30, 2009, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to Naval Station Norfolk after an almost six-month-long deployment.

January 2010: Deployed to the Middle East

On January 2, 2010, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower again deployed to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in the Middle East.

July 2010: Returned to homeport in Norfolk

On July 28, 2010, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to her homeport in Norfolk.

September 2010: Planned Incremental Availability

In September 2010, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was placed in a planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

June 2011: End of Incremental Availability

In June 2011, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower completed its planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

June 2012: Deployment to the Middle East

On June 7, 2012, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

December 2012: Return to Homeport

On December 19, 2012, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to its homeport after deployment.

February 2013: Deployment to the Mediterranean and Mid-East

On February 22, 2013, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Strike Group 8 departed for another deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East.

July 2013: Return to Homeport

On July 3, 2013, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to its homeport.

August 2014: Ship Moved to Berth

On August 26, 2014, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was moved to Berth 42-43 from Dry Dock #8 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

February 2015: DPIA Behind Schedule

As of February 4, 2015, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) was four months behind schedule.

April 2015: Planned Yard Stay

As of February 2015, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was planned to remain in the yard until at least April 2015 due to delays in the DPIA.

September 2015: Return to Sea

On September 3, 2015, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower went back to sea.

March 2016: Arresting Gear Failure

On March 18, 2016, while sailing off the coast of Virginia, eight members of the deck crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were injured when the arresting gear cables failed during the routine landing of an E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.

June 2016: Deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet's AoR

On June 8, 2016, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and her Carrier Strike Group sailed into the U.S. 6th Fleet's area of operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

November 2016: Bombing of ISIS Targets

In November 2016, it was reported that since June 2016, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower had dropped nearly 1,100 bombs on ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.

December 2016: Completion of Deployment

In December 2016, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower completed her 17th deployment to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

January 2020: Departure for Training and Deployment

On January 13, 2020, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower left Norfolk for her Composite Training Unit Exercise ahead of deploying to the Persian Gulf.

June 2020: Consecutive Days at Sea Record

On June 26, 2020, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower surpassed the USS Theodore Roosevelt's record of 160 consecutive days at sea without a port call by reaching its 161st day, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2020: Co-training with Hellenic Air Force

On July 25 and 26, 2020, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) co-trained with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower southeast of Crete.

March 2021: Exercise Lightning Handshake

In March 2021, the Dwight D. Eisenhower's Strike Group conducted Exercise Lightning Handshake with Royal Moroccan Navy frigate Tarik Ben Ziyad and Royal Moroccan Air Force fighter jets.

October 2023: Deployment to Eastern Mediterranean

On October 14, 2023, Lloyd Austin directed Dwight D. Eisenhower and her carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in response to Israel's war with Hamas.

December 2023: Destruction of Houthi Missiles and Drones

On December 26, 2023, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower launched Super Hornet aircraft and, together with the destroyer Laboon, destroyed 12 attack drones, three anti-ship missiles and two ground attack cruise missiles in the southern Red Sea, fired from Yemen's Houthi rebels.

January 2024: Defense Against Houthi Missile Attacks and Strikes in Yemen

In January 2024, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower shot down missiles launched by Houthis. On January 12, 2024, aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Three participated in missile strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels. Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired by the cruiser Philippine Sea, destroyers Mason and Gravely, and the submarine Florida.

July 2024: Return to Naval Station Norfolk

On July 14, 2024, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nine-month combat deployment. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 3 expended nearly 60 air-to-air missiles and 420 air-to-surface weapons during the deployment.