U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk leaves Yokosuka again

Japan Policy & Politics, Oct 8, 2001

YOKOSUKA, Japan, Oct. 1 Kyodo

The U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on Monday once again left its home port in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, possibly to participate in a U.S.-led multinational effort to respond to the terrorist attacks in the United States last month, just after briefly returning Sunday from an undisclosed destination.

''The Kitty Hawk departed Yokosuka on Monday to support tasking as assigned by the National Command Authority in response to operation 'Enduring Freedom,''' said the U.S. military headquarters in Japan.

The 81,123-ton carrier is believed to be heading to the Indian Ocean to prepare for the expected strikes against Afghanistan. The Japan Coast Guard deployed 24 patrol boats, three helicopters and special units to guard the aircraft carrier as it left the port.

When the Kitty Hawk returned Sunday after being away for nine days, the U.S. Navy said the aircraft carrier had participated in operations, but declined to provide any details, or discuss its future actions.

The Kitty Hawk's Web site said the aircraft carrier had conducted airplane takeoff and landing drills in the Pacific off Japan's Boso Peninsula, east of Tokyo, after the ship left Yokosuka on Sept. 21.

The Kitty Hawk is part of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, which covers areas of the Indian Ocean. It houses around 75 aircraft, including fighter jets, and has 2,800 crew members. It can accommodate about 5,500 people, including onboard airplane crews.

On Sunday, the 42,000-ton refueling ship Rappahannock left the port. The 8,422-ton guided-missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur and the 8,040-ton missile-carrying frigate Gary left with the Kitty Hawk on Monday.