A piece of U.S. Navy history has made its final stop in Texas. On February 2, 2025, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)—affectionately known as "Big John"—was towed into Brownsville for scrapping, marking the end of an era for the legendary aircraft carrier.

After spending nearly four decades in service, the USS JFK was decommissioned in 2007 and had been sitting in Philadelphia’s Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (AWESOME website, by the way!) ever since. While there were hopes of turning it into a museum, those plans never came to life. Instead, the ship was sold to International Shipbreaking Limited in October 2021, sealing its fate as scrap metal.

attachment-Canva - 2025-02-03T154725.193
loading...

The ship made its final journey from Philadelphia to Brownsville, arriving at the Port of Brownsville where it will be dismantled. Hundreds gathered along the Brownsville Ship Channel to get a last glimpse of the massive ship as it was guided into port.

Commissioned in 1968, the USS John F. Kennedy saw action in Operation Desert Storm (1991), Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The conventionally powered carrier (meaning NOT nuclear powered) was one of the last of its kind before the U.S. Navy fully transitioned to nuclear-powered aircraft carriers several years ago.

Even though "Big John" is being scrapped, its legacy will live on through the sailors who served aboard it and the missions it successfully completed. While it would have been amazing to see it turned into a floating museum, Texas will be its final resting place--as it should be!

As another historic aircraft carrier gets phased out, the U.S. Navy moves forward with more advanced warships. But for those who knew Big John, it’ll always be one of the greats!

If you could bring back one restaurant or biz that closed in Lubbock, what would it be?

Gallery Credit: Landon King

What is your favorite "hidden gem" in Lubbock that most people don't know about?

Gallery Credit: Landon King

If someone’s never been to Lubbock, what’s the first local food spot you take them to impress them?

Gallery Credit: Landon King