The USS George W Bush, the world’s largest warship, anchored about 2.5 miles off the coast of Haifa Harbor on Saturday night in the first visit by an American warship in 17 years.
Due to its enormous size thus preventing it from docking in the Haifa Harbor, the ship was required to anchor offshore. The warship will spend four days, including the United States Independence Day on the Fourth of July, anchored off the coast of Israel.
The aircraft carrier deployed from Norfolk, Virginia. January 21 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are to visit the carrier on Monday, along with Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav.
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is the tenth and final Nimitz-class supercarrier of the United States Navy. She was completed in 2009 at a cost of $6.2 billion. The ship measures 1,092 feet (333 m) and displaces over 100,000 tons. Her top speed exceeds 30 knots; powered with two nuclear reactors, she can operate for more than 20 years without refueling. Bush can host a crew of 5,000-6,000 people and accommodate about 90 fighter jets and helicopters.
#USSGeorgeHWBush aircraft carrier has arrived to #Israel & is docked outside #Haifa Port. Ship is currently taking part fight against #IS pic.twitter.com/FtCGEOknC4
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) July 1, 2017
