The world’s first nuclear powered plane service was moved into its birthplace dry dock at Huntington Ingalls’ Newport News Shipbuilding this weekend as a part of the continued inactivation course of.

The plane service, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was moved Saturday from Newport News’ Pier 2 to Dry Dock 11, the place the tremendous service was constructed over 60 years in the past.

Six tugboats guided the ship about one mile to its new location, the place Newport News workers will proceed the defueling course of within the dry dock beneath the present $745 million inactivation contract.

More than 200 shipbuilders assisted with the ship’s relocation, a two-and-a-half-hour effort. Work will proceed within the dry dock till the autumn of 2016.

“Our shipbuilders and Navy partners continue to work closely as we accomplish this truly unique contract,” mentioned Chris Miner, Newport News’ vp of in-service plane service packages. “Our shipbuilders’ slogan for the inactivation of the USS Enterprise is ‘Honor a Legend.’ The pride the shipbuilder and Navy team have in being part of this legendary ship’s history is demonstrated every day as they safely complete each step of this challenging work.”

The first tremendous service powered by nuclear reactors, USS Enterprise can also be the primary to endure an inactivation, which incorporates defueling the ship’s eight reactors and making ready the hull for its ultimate dismantlement.

USS Enterprise was constructed at Newport News and joined the Navy’s fleet in 1961. The ship aided within the Cuban Missile Crisis and operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, in addition to naval maritime safety operations.

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