Thu, Jan 20, 2011
Non-Profit Group Hopes To Have Decommissioned Carrier As A
Museum In Maine
The USS JFK Museum presented a detailed business plan to the
Portland City Council Wednesday night in hopes of gaining their
support in the effort to bring the decommissioned aircraft carrier
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) to Casco Bay. The Navy requires
organizations seeking to acquire the ship in their donation program
to have the support of its host city as part of the "Phase II"
submission. The Portland City Council must vote in favor of the
project or Portland will be disqualified for consideration, leaving
Newport, RI as another potential host city and the possibility of
the ship being scrapped as the only other alternatives. Being the
last non-nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the fleet, the USS JFK
is also in all probability, the last U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to
ever go on public display as a museum.
USS John F Kennedy
Steve Woods, who leads the USS JFK Museum organization as
CEO/Executive Director, will be presenting a detailed budget and
business plan outlining the benefits and economic opportunity the
project holds along with the commitment that the acquisition
process and future operation of the USS JFK Museum will come at no
expense to the city or its taxpayers. In fact, the plan being
presented will include significant direct revenue projections to
the City of Portland along with the expected annual positive
economic impact to Portland and the region in the
tens-of-million-of-dollars.
"Early feedback concerning the USS JFK Museum only focused on
the size of the ship while ignoring the enormity of the
opportunity. I believe that the USS JFK Museum has the potential to
serve as the greatest single catalyst for local & regional
growth ever experienced here in Maine," said Woods. "Our
presentation to the Portland City Council on Wednesday evening will
demonstrate a forward looking vision along with the practical
details needed to evaluate a project of this magnitude. All I'm
asking from the Mayor, the City Councilors and the public is to
keep an open mind in regard to this proposal as we hope to enter
the Navy's Phase III period for securing the ship (next 7-months)
– at which point, there will be ample time to sink this
process if that becomes the collective will. But, to do so now
preemptively serves no purpose," concluded Woods.
Kennedy Flight Deck
Naval aviator (and famous attorney), F. Lee Bailey, is expected
to attend to the Portland City Council meeting to speak in favor of
the project as a current Maine (and longtime – coming
to Maine first in 1933) resident and former member of the military
as a jet fighter pilot. Bailey has also experienced a carrier
landing/launch on the USS JFK a few years ago during an official
visit to the ship at the invitation of the US Navy.
(Editor's Note) I had the privilege of standing
on the flight deck of "Big John" during flight operations shortly
before one of her final deployments from Naval Station Mayport in
Jacksonville, FL, as well as launching from her deck aboard a COD
flight to return back to shore (admittedly, in the back, strapped
in facing aft with the rest of the journalists). I
watched the professionals in Pri-Fly direct the ballet on the
flight deck, and got to know some of the men and women who served
aboard her with distinction. What ever her final destination,
we wish her well.
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