Caption:
Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2003) -- Sailors aboard
USS Constellation (CV 64) man the rails during the shipÕs
decommissioning ceremony. The ceremony, held at Naval Air Station
North Island, marked the end of the carriers nearly 42 years of service
to the nation. During Constellation's commissioned service, she
completed 21 deployments and most recently completed combat operations
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Constellation, decommissioned in
San Diego at the Naval Air Station North Island, will be towed to
Bremerton, Wash., where she will remain in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Constellation is the second oldest aircraft carrier in the Navy and one
of only three remaining conventionally powered aircraft carriers in its
arsenal. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman John P.
Curtis. (RELEASED)
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