US Navy supercarrier, world's largest warship, docks near Haifa port
USS George H.W. Bush anchors 2.5 miles from harbor due to its size • Crew will tour country, celebrate U.S. Independence Day in Israel, July 4 • Adm. Michelle Howard: Ship's "might is a metaphor for the strength of the bonds between our counties."
The largest and most sophisticated aircraft carrier in the American Navy, the USS George H.W. Bush, docked in the vicinity of Haifa Port on Saturday morning.
The Nimitz-class carrier comes with a payload of 90 aircraft, including fighter jets, a spy plane, attack and rescue helicopters, and a V-22 Osprey aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Commissioned in 2009, the 333-meter (1,092-foot) long nuclear-powered ship can carry a crew of over 5,000 people.
Due to its size the ship is unable to enter the port itself, and dropped anchor 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from harbor.
"The United States has had long standing military to military engagements with Israel," said U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Commander Adm. Michelle Howard.
"The George Herbert Walker Bush is a strategic asset. ... In this visit to Israel, GHWB's might is a metaphor for the strength of the bonds between our counties. I'd like to thank the Israeli people for hosting us and for taking care of our sailors."
In the past, Haifa Port was home to the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, but its aircraft carriers have not docked there since the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2000.
According to Channel 10, the crew of the George H.W. Bush will tour the country in the coming days and celebrate American Independence Day in Israel on July 4.
The ship is scheduled to depart on Wednesday to continue its operations.
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