The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii indicated Wednesday that the conventionally powered USS Kitty Hawk will be replaced by an advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier around 2008.
The 80,800-ton Kitty Hawk, the navy's oldest active aircraft carrier, is deployed to the Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture. The possible deployment of a nuclear-powered carrier in Yokosuka is expected to draw strong objections from local residents and antinuclear groups.
"We would hope to replace her with one of our most capable aircraft carriers," Adm. Thomas Fargo told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee. "This is . . . a subject that we'll talk to the Japanese about and collaborate with them and work through as we do with all issues with a very strong alliance partner."
Fargo said he hopes Japan will understand the importance of the deployment of such a vessel for regional stability.