The introduction of nuclear power in the United States Navy revolutionized warfighting and put America far ahead of the curve. Where prior ships exhausted, the nuclear-powered carrier could steam nearly indefinitely, only needing to replenish food and fuel for aircraft.

In fiscal year 1970, Congress approved the construction of the third nuclear-powered and second Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Today the crew of Ike celebrates 39 years of pride and excellence in one of the most powerful vessels on the waterfront.

The carrier, named after the nation's 34th president, was christened at 11:11 a.m., Oct. 11, 1975, by Mamie Doud-Eisenhower, the ship's sponsor and widow of the late president. Ike was commissioned Oct. 18, 1977, under the command of Capt. William E. Ramsey. After 14 months of fleet training, the ship made her first Mediterranean Sea deployment in 1978.

In October 1985 after her fourth deployment, Ike sailed into Newport News Shipbuilding for a complex overhaul. The 18-month shipyard period included the addition of the Close-in Weapons System (CIWS), NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, Navy Tactical Data System, Anti-Submarine Warfare Module, and communications upgrades. Ike rejoined the fleet in April 1987.

In 1990, Ike completed her sixth Mediterranean deployment, coinciding with a worldwide Dwight D. Eisenhower Centennial celebrating the late president's 100th birthday. During D-Day anniversary ceremonies off the coast of Normandy, Ike's son, John Eisenhower, and D-Day veterans embarked the ship while Carrier Air Wing 7 conducted a memorial flyover of the American cemetery at Omaha Beach.

In response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Ike became the second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal and the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the Red Sea. Ike served as a ready striking force in the event Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia, and participated in maritime interception operations in support of a United Nations embargo against Iraq.

After an extensive shipyard and training period, Ike deployed Sept. 26, 1991, to the Arabian Gulf to continue multinational operations in support of Operation Desert Storm. Ike returned to Norfolk April 2, 1992, and entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul and conversion Jan. 6, 1993. Ike returned to the fleet Nov. 12, 1993.

In September 1994, Ike and the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division made history with the concept of "adaptive force packaging." The division's Soldiers and equipment were loaded on board, and the Ike Army and Navy team headed for Port au Prince to spearhead Operation Uphold Democracy, the U.S.-led effort to restore the democratically elected government of Haiti.

One month later, Ike departed for a six-month deployment, which included flying missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight. This deployment marked the first time women deployed as crew members of a U.S. Navy combatant ship, as the Ike/Carrier Air Wing 3/Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 8 team included more than 400 females.

In February 2000, Ike departed Norfolk for a millennium cruise to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. During this deployment, the air wing performed the ship's first combat ordnance delivery while operating in support of Operation Southern Watch in Iraq.

On May 24, 2001, Ike began her mid-life, comprehensive refueling complex overhaul in the shipyard at Newport News and returned to Naval Station Norfolk Jan. 25, 2005.

On Oct. 3, 2006, Ike deployed for seven months to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to conduct maritime security operations. In July 2009, Ike completed a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and returned again in January 2010 for another six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In September 2010, Ike began a regularly scheduled, planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and returned to Norfolk June 2011.

In December 2012, Ike completed another six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and returned for an additional four months beginning Feb. 21, 2013. Ike returned home July 3, 2013.

Following the completion of a 23-month, dry dock shipyard period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Aug. 28, 2015, Ike began her training cycle to prepare for her 2016 deployment.

Ike deployed June 1, 2016, for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and is currently operating in the Arabian Gulf.

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For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit http://www.navy.mil/.