Navy's oldest ship keeps eye on Taiwan

March 18, 1996
Web posted at: 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 GMT)

From Correspondent May Lee

ABOARD THE USS INDEPENDENCE (CNN) -- The USS Independence, which has been cruising the waters off the east coast of Taiwan for more than a week, is 37 years old -- the oldest ship in the Navy. (682K QuickTime movie)

With its 5,600 crew members and 70-plus aircraft, it is one of the most respected and most experienced ships in the fleet.

The sheer size of the aircraft carrier commands respect. It is 1,070 feet long -- longer than three football fields; weighs 80,000 tons and has a flight deck that covers about four acres.

But even the oldest and biggest ship cannot fend for itself. An integral part of the carrier's operation is the battle group, the smaller vessels that surround the carrier. Their job is to support and protect the centerpiece.

"Every individual ship is very important to us," said Capt. David Polatty III, the commanding officer of the Independence. "If we're going along by ourselves with one other ship, that's good for basic training but you need more than that. You really need to build around this carrier."

One essential building block in the Independence battle group is the frigate USS McCloskey. Cmdr. Peter Frothingham said his ship's role is to provide close-in air defense. One of the McCloskey's most powerful weapons is an MK-13 guided missile launcher.

The crew of 200 is well aware of the ship's role in the battle group and the risks that come along with it.

"We support them," one sailor said. "Whenever we're in battle formation, they're in the middle, we're on the end. So, if any missiles come, we're going to take a hit first."

A second aircraft carrier group led by the USS Nimitz is expected to arrive near Taiwan this week.

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