AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN GULF

Independence this week became first U.S. aircraft carrier to pass through Strait of Hormuz since 1974. It is expected to stay in Persian Gulf about a week, then sail back to Arabian Sea. PROFILE OF THE INDEPENDENCE Commissioned: Jan. 10, 1959 Displacement: 80,643 tons (full load) Length: 1071 feet Power plant: 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 4 Westinghouse geared turbines Speed: 33 knots Crew: 2,900 ship’s company; 2,279 air wing Armament: Sea Sparrow missiles; 3 Phalanx close-in weapons systems. Fixed-wing aircraft: About 75, including F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, S-3A Viking, E-2C Hawkeye. Helicopters: 6 Sea Kings TYPICAL BATTLE GROUP (escorting the carrier) Missile cruiser Fleet oiler 2 frigates Missile destroyer Ammunition ship Source: Jane’s Fighting Ships