I worked in Aviation SRS, all the way forward off the hanger bay in AWP(Awaiting Parts) from 74 to 77! This video really brought back memories! Thank you so very much. I sure miss the old girl and all the great shipmates.
The compartments with the big tanks are the arresting gear rooms. I wished you had went down to the 4th deck and found your way into the engine rooms which had special doors off the main corridor. The doors are distinctive in that the are square and hinge toward the middle to allow them to open against air pressure. Then there are ladders that lead down another 6 levels. Central control would also be an interesting room to find. I spent two cruises onboard between 78 and 81 working in Engine Room #4.
Did three cruises aboard that ship. Looks like you entered on the port side, made your way forward and went up the o3 level and then back down. You missed some of the best parts, CIC, Admiral Quarters, Engine Room, Bridge. The first ready room you entered on the 03 level was Maintenace control for my old squadron, listed as VAQ132. The parariggers loft was modifed looks like to a saferoom. As you made your way through a couple of Ready rooms and then headed forward on the stb side, you crossed over the arresting gear cables. About 10 frames after that if you take a left you and follow it for about another 10 frames you can turn forward take the ladder to the bridge. Also you missed a left turn to port that would have taken you to a better passageway that takes you to the parallel forward after passageway through the Admirals area and CIC/CATSI spaces. Next time take someone with you who knows the ship!
This was my second run through, on my first, I got to see nearly everything. Flight deck, bridge, mess hall, etc. I wanna do another video that is more in depth and not just a run through though. Honestly I just wanted to get some footage in the event that it heads off to Brownsville, which it’s supposed to any day now. Very cool that you were in VAQ132, anything you want to specifically see if I get the chance to film another video?
@@dionysiandaze Awesome. I did some time on the ship as well with VAQ 133 in 1974-76. I came back with VAQ 138 in 1980 and in 1981-82 was a Grumman rep for half of the IO cruise. Finally, I did a tech assist aboard the ship while it was in Cannes in perhaps 1987. I worked in IM-3 in the EA6B vans which hung on the forward port hanger bay. Access was via frame 69 which was also the path to Disbursing. the vans were on the 02 but hung from the overhead. I believe that this video showed the space that the vans attached to in the early part of the video.
I also was on the JFK for two Med cruises and one North Atlantic from 73 to 77 in VAG-133. Maintenance Control was back then was aft on the starboard side just above the crane. It would be a real trip to go back on board and walk around the corridors and see what has changed. Great to see it again and thanks for posting. AZ2 Clarkson
That must have been a really crazy experience! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been wanting to get back on board since 1996 and this is the closest I have gotten. Maybe the dreams will stop now. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for the kind words!! It was a very very crazy experience, getting to see the last of the conventional carriers, just how truly massive it is and wondering just how many people have come and gone who called this place home. I got a few mementos, namely a few signs that were posted around on the walls, my favorite of which is a passageway map for the 03 level (: Thanks for watching!
Thanks! I hope so too! If Big John leaves for the scrappers before then, I’ll at least be able to catch the rest of the ships at Phila. Navy Yard, along with a few extras that are local (Intrepid, Olympia, Becuna, New Jersey) before I branch out and see what else I can find around the country.
@@My347LX I did during my first run through, hopefully I can get down there at least one more time for some better video before it heads to the scrappers.
I was part of the INSURV team that inspected her back in 2008. There were parts of the ship that had rust damage to the point where it was unsafe to walk on the sponsons and catwalks! Good thing you didn't explore there, you would have probably fallen through!
@@jamesgarman4788 the whole thing is a little worse for wear at this point, but I’m pretty light on my feet and can tell if something isn’t gonna hold my weight at this point. Been at it a long time 😋
If you get back, go forward in the hangar bay to the hallway in the front. My shop was I think the third door on the right during the Gulf War - Shop 690. It would be a real thrill to see it again before the ship is destroyed.
Plank owner. 1967 - 1970. I think that was the shop where I did the Pressure Gauge Qualifications. Part time job only when in port. I worked out of GSE shop forward end of hanger bay. Flight deck GSE troubleshooter.
Was VS-22's Corpsman working in the Medical Departments Treatment Room and Sickcall for the 1982 Med/IO Cruise. Brought back so many memories, Thank You.
I was assigned to the Pre-Commisioning unit of the JFK in June of 1968. I was #246 of the initial group of sailors. A proud plank owner! I cut the plastic off my brand new bunk mattress. I was in W Division (nukes) and have some great memories. It breaks my heart to see her as a rusting hulk and destined for the cutting torches. What a shame! I'm sure Captain Yates is rolling in his grave.
Incredible! Thanks so much for sharing. Yeah, it really does break my heart to see the ship in this shape, knowing how much pride was taken in it in days past. I gathered from talking with some fellas at the navy yard that it’s going to be underway to Brownsville within 30 days, so sad.
Here's a story about Joe i got kicked out of the scullery. One day the conveyor of the scullery machine broke and they couldn't get it fixed. I showed up assessed the damage and went down to 533 hyd shop. Got some pins from the pre-ex bind went up stairs and fixed it. The Philippino chief was amazed. So he started having me fix all sorts of stuff. Needless to say i was pretty busy. Then he moved me into the wardrobe scullery. Being short on time to get things done for me i started running my cammies through the scullery machine. They came out spotless. Well, about a week into it the chief came into the scullery. Saw my cammies exiting the machine and freaked out. I thought he was gonna blow a gasket. So, he put me and Custer on wardrobe clean up. Then one day i made the ice cream. It was the ships favorite. I didn't do anything to the ice cream except make the most awesome ice cream on the ship.
Yeah, it's going to just be a huge maze of random rooms if you've never served on one. Looks like a catapult machinery room at 5:18. This must be old footage because, from what I'm reading, she was supposed to be sent to the scrappers (Brownsville, TX) in Dec of 2023. Or maybe her departure got delayed.
You must have got onboard her just before she was towed to Texas for complete scrapping. To really explore the JFK it would in theory take you a minimum of 2 weeks/8hrs a day MINIMUM. And you couldn't get to all of the spaces.
@@dionysiandaze in May 2022 JFK's final sailing started from Philly to Brownsville, TX. The new JFK is going to be a Ford class carrier. Name has already been assigned by SecNav.
my home 77/78. thank you for this.
I worked in Aviation SRS, all the way forward off the hanger bay in AWP(Awaiting Parts) from 74 to 77! This video really brought back memories! Thank you so very much. I sure miss the old girl and all the great shipmates.
I was an AK1with VA-75, 81-82
I remember lighting boiler fires in one main as a boiler technician. Best time in my life was spent serving on the Big John.
Seems like a very hot job 😅
I was on her from 1995-1997. Did the Med Cruise in 97! Seeing you walk her brought back memories of joy. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!
The compartments with the big tanks are the arresting gear rooms. I wished you had went down to the 4th deck and found your way into the engine rooms which had special doors off the main corridor. The doors are distinctive in that the are square and hinge toward the middle to allow them to open against air pressure. Then there are ladders that lead down another 6 levels. Central control would also be an interesting room to find. I spent two cruises onboard between 78 and 81 working in Engine Room #4.
Hopefully I’ll get to make another run through and catch better footage before she goes off to Brownsville (:
SURE BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.
Thank you for this!!!!
You're so welcome!
Did three cruises aboard that ship. Looks like you entered on the port side, made your way forward and went up the o3 level and then back down. You missed some of the best parts, CIC, Admiral Quarters, Engine Room, Bridge. The first ready room you entered on the 03 level was Maintenace control for my old squadron, listed as VAQ132. The parariggers loft was modifed looks like to a saferoom. As you made your way through a couple of Ready rooms and then headed forward on the stb side, you crossed over the arresting gear cables. About 10 frames after that if you take a left you and follow it for about another 10 frames you can turn forward take the ladder to the bridge. Also you missed a left turn to port that would have taken you to a better passageway that takes you to the parallel forward after passageway through the Admirals area and CIC/CATSI spaces. Next time take someone with you who knows the ship!
This was my second run through, on my first, I got to see nearly everything. Flight deck, bridge, mess hall, etc. I wanna do another video that is more in depth and not just a run through though. Honestly I just wanted to get some footage in the event that it heads off to Brownsville, which it’s supposed to any day now. Very cool that you were in VAQ132, anything you want to specifically see if I get the chance to film another video?
@@dionysiandaze Awesome. I did some time on the ship as well with VAQ 133 in 1974-76. I came back with VAQ 138 in 1980 and in 1981-82 was a Grumman rep for half of the IO cruise. Finally, I did a tech assist aboard the ship while it was in Cannes in perhaps 1987. I worked in IM-3 in the EA6B vans which hung on the forward port hanger bay. Access was via frame 69 which was also the path to Disbursing. the vans were on the 02 but hung from the overhead. I believe that this video showed the space that the vans attached to in the early part of the video.
I also was on the JFK for two Med cruises and one North Atlantic from 73 to 77 in VAG-133. Maintenance Control was back then was aft on the starboard side just above the crane. It would be a real trip to go back on board and walk around the corridors and see what has changed. Great to see it again and thanks for posting. AZ2 Clarkson
If you get a chance to video again see if you can get to 1 mmr...it's off the fwd mess decks next to the serving line
They entered port side but went aft. That was the partner the ship I frequented the most.
That must have been a really crazy experience! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been wanting to get back on board since 1996 and this is the closest I have gotten. Maybe the dreams will stop now. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for the kind words!! It was a very very crazy experience, getting to see the last of the conventional carriers, just how truly massive it is and wondering just how many people have come and gone who called this place home. I got a few mementos, namely a few signs that were posted around on the walls, my favorite of which is a passageway map for the 03 level (:
Thanks for watching!
I was hoping you’d have swing by my shop on the O-3 level just outside that ladder to the flight deck. Thanks for the video
Thank you for this. Hope you take more soon.
Thanks! I hope so too! If Big John leaves for the scrappers before then, I’ll at least be able to catch the rest of the ships at Phila. Navy Yard, along with a few extras that are local (Intrepid, Olympia, Becuna, New Jersey) before I branch out and see what else I can find around the country.
@@dionysiandaze I really wish you had made it back to the jet shop, there were a couple of amazing murals paint on the walls back there!
@@My347LX I did during my first run through, hopefully I can get down there at least one more time for some better video before it heads to the scrappers.
Awesome thanks for the look back. You could do hours of these videos and qll us prior kennedy sailora would watch 😢
I was part of the INSURV team that inspected her back in 2008. There were parts of the ship that had rust damage to the point where it was unsafe to walk on the sponsons and catwalks! Good thing you didn't explore there, you would have probably fallen through!
@@jamesgarman4788 the whole thing is a little worse for wear at this point, but I’m pretty light on my feet and can tell if something isn’t gonna hold my weight at this point. Been at it a long time 😋
If you get back, go forward in the hangar bay to the hallway in the front. My shop was I think the third door on the right during the Gulf War - Shop 690. It would be a real thrill to see it again before the ship is destroyed.
will do. I’m hellbent on getting back on before it goes. Supposed to go to Brownsville this month so clocks ticking
Plank owner. 1967 - 1970. I think that was the shop where I did the Pressure Gauge Qualifications. Part time job only when in port. I worked out of GSE shop forward end of hanger bay. Flight deck GSE troubleshooter.
@@dionysiandaze That would be awesome! The space was for avionics intermediate maintenance - AIMD Division.
Was VS-22's Corpsman working in the Medical Departments Treatment Room and Sickcall for the 1982 Med/IO Cruise.
Brought back so many memories, Thank You.
Thanks for the kind words, it makes me so happy to be able to get a look around the ship on video for fellas just like you. Thanks for your service!
I did get to see some of the medical facilities on board, I had no idea how extensive they are.
My first ship of six in my 22y career. Med cruse '73!
You looked in my old berthing area. Cool
Not gonna ask how the heck you got onboard her, but thanks for posting, always wanted to see her interior
Thank you for not asking 😋
It’s such an awesome sight and to think, it will soon leave this yard and be cut up, is a shame.
It quite creepy inside since it became abandoned
I was there ‘91 to ‘94!
Before I was even born! Thanks for your service!~
Dang Me too where did you work? What was your rate
Big John! 2MMR boiler tech.
Was on her from 2004 til decom, would love to walk the ship again
You can! Just gotta be quick getting from the fence to the gangway, lest ye attract attention lol.
I was assigned to the Pre-Commisioning unit of the JFK in June of 1968. I was #246 of the initial group of sailors. A proud plank owner! I cut the plastic off my brand new bunk mattress. I was in W Division (nukes) and have some great memories. It breaks my heart to see her as a rusting hulk and destined for the cutting torches. What a shame! I'm sure Captain Yates is rolling in his grave.
Incredible! Thanks so much for sharing. Yeah, it really does break my heart to see the ship in this shape, knowing how much pride was taken in it in days past. I gathered from talking with some fellas at the navy yard that it’s going to be underway to Brownsville within 30 days, so sad.
looks easy to get lost in there
It is indeed, my first run through I got lost for 3 hours with a dead flashlight lol
Here's a story about Joe i got kicked out of the scullery. One day the conveyor of the scullery machine broke and they couldn't get it fixed. I showed up assessed the damage and went down to 533 hyd shop. Got some pins from the pre-ex bind went up stairs and fixed it. The Philippino chief was amazed. So he started having me fix all sorts of stuff. Needless to say i was pretty busy. Then he moved me into the wardrobe scullery. Being short on time to get things done for me i started running my cammies through the scullery machine. They came out spotless. Well, about a week into it the chief came into the scullery. Saw my cammies exiting the machine and freaked out. I thought he was gonna blow a gasket. So, he put me and Custer on wardrobe clean up. Then one day i made the ice cream. It was the ships favorite. I didn't do anything to the ice cream except make the most awesome ice cream on the ship.
How did you get on board? Great video! So jealous!
Very carefully
I was a grape on board from 87-90. She was a fine ship.
Thanks for your service!
Lived onboard 1984-88.
How did you get in? I served on her from November 1990 to May 1993! I was in the E Division.
Very carefully (:
Bro how you did not go to federal prison for posting this I do not know
it’s a video game, just really really good graphics (:
I was there 2021 as a contractor. My supervisor and I wanted to see the brig but couldn't find it.
@@JJ-rf7dg I wasn’t able to find it either, didn’t really really look though. It’s still there if you wanna try again hahaha
Awesome video! Wish I was there! How did you get on? It’s not that close to the pier, last I knew she was in Philly
It’s docked at the Phila Navy Yard, and I got on very carefully (:
80-81
Med Cruise 70-71 AO with VA-34
Thanks for your service!
If the US Navy change their minds and save this ship from the scrap yard, I'll buy it and make it a worthy museum.
Yeah, it's going to just be a huge maze of random rooms if you've never served on one. Looks like a catapult machinery room at 5:18. This must be old footage because, from what I'm reading, she was supposed to be sent to the scrappers (Brownsville, TX) in Dec of 2023. Or maybe her departure got delayed.
Hasn’t left for Brownsville yet, Navy is dragging their feet according to intl shipbreaking. I wish she would never leave
The JFK is still there
On Board her 1980-81, you should have walked the 03 level, more interesting like CIC, & arresting gear rooms.
DENTAL DEPARTMENT 91-94
Thanks for your service! How many teeth did you yank out lol?
@dionysiandaze TOO MANY TO RECALL ! 🤣🤣
You must have got onboard her just before she was towed to Texas for complete scrapping. To really explore the JFK it would in theory take you a minimum of 2 weeks/8hrs a day MINIMUM. And you couldn't get to all of the spaces.
As far as I know she hasn’t left Philly yet and if she did, I’ll be a very sad fella because I wanted to see her off
@@dionysiandaze in May 2022 JFK's final sailing started from Philly to Brownsville, TX.
The new JFK is going to be a Ford class carrier. Name has already been assigned by SecNav.
@@tomasthomas8563this video was filmed this year, JFK hasn’t gone anywhere yet. Thankfully (: