루머성 기사일 확률이 있지만 그래도 좀 황당한 기사가 발견되어서 올립니다.

현재 미 해군이 니미츠급 항공모함에 이어 2척(1척 추가건조 검토중)을 건조할 예정으로 현재 설계중인 137+3억달러짜리 신형 항공모함 CVN-21 (CVNX-78 & 79)의 1번함이 미 38대 대통령인 제럴드 포드로 명명될 예정이라는 이야깁니다.

2차대전 때 USS Monterey (CVL-26) 에서 활동한 점 이외에는 그렇게 큰 대군 공헌기록은 없는(제가 알고 있는 범위 내에서는 일단 강한 미 해군력 건설에 적극적으로 동조, 지지했다는 점 이외에는 그다지....) 포드 대통령이 명명될 것이라.....사실이라면 본인으로서는 약간 아리송하네요.

정치적으로도 시기를 잘못맞아 그다지 좋은 평가를 받지 않는 포드 대통령이 과연 영광스러운 항공모함의 함명으로 명명될지는 이 글이 단순한 루머성으로 끝날지 실제가 되어 명명될지 여부에 달려 있을듯 합니다.

한편 CVN-21 신형항모 계획은 총 2척이 뉴포트 뉴스 조선소에서 건조될 예정이며, 1번함 CVNX-78이 2013년에 취역하여 엔터프라이즈를 대체하며, 2번함 CVNX-79가 2018년 취역하여 존 F. 케네디를 대체할 예정입니다. 다만 현재 항모의 교체주기에 따라서 1척이 더 건조하는 것을 검토중이라고 합니다.

다음은 그 전문입니다.
(참고로 말씀드리자면 미국의 밀리터리매니아들 사이에서도 격렬한 반대론이 일고 있습니다. 그들은 랙싱턴이나 사라토가, 아메리카 내지 엔터프라이즈 등의 명성을 떨친 기존 미 항모들의 이름을 계승하기를 원한다는.......저도 그렇게 생각해 왔었고요.)


SA 4211. Mr. WARNER proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other
purposes; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1013. NAMING OF CVN-78 AIRCRAFT CARRIER AS THE U.S.S. GERALD FORD.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Gerald R. Ford has served his country with honor and distinction for the past 64 years, and continues to serve.

(2) Gerald R. Ford joined the United States Naval Reserve in 1942 and served valiantly at sea on the U.S.S. Monterey (CVL-26)
during World War II, taking part in major operations in the Pacific, including at Makin Island, Kwajalein, Truk, Saipan, and the
Philippine Sea.

(3) The U.S.S. Monterey earned 10 battle stars, awarded for participation in battle, while Gerald R. Ford served on the vessel.

(4) Gerald R. Ford was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1948.

(5) In the course of 25 years of service in the House of Representatives, Gerald R. Ford distinguished himself by his exemplary
record for character, decency, and trustworthiness.

(6) Throughout his service in Congress, Gerald R. Ford was an ardent proponent of strong national defense and international
leadership by the United States.

(7) From 1965 to 1973, Gerald R. Ford served as minority leader of the House of Representatives, raising the standard for
bipartisanship in his tireless fight for freedom, hope, and justice.

(8) In 1973, Gerald R. Ford was appointed by President Nixon to the office of Vice President of the United States with the
overwhelming support of Congress.

(9) From 1974 to 1976, Gerald R. Ford served as the 38th President of the United States, taking office during one of the most
challenging periods in the history of the United States and restoring the faith of the people of the United States in the office of the
President through his steady leadership, courage, and ultimate integrity.

(10) President Gerald R. Ford helped restore the prestige of the United States in the world community by working to achieve
peace in the Middle East, preserve d?ente with the Soviet Union, and set new limits on the spread of nuclear weapons.

(11) President Gerald R. Ford served as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States with great dignity,
supporting a strong Navy and a global military presence for the United State and honoring the men and women of the Armed
Forces of the United States.

(12) Since leaving the office of President, Gerald R. Ford has been an international ambassador of American goodwill, a noted
scholar and lecturer, a strong supporter of human rights, and a promoter of higher education.

(13) Gerald R. Ford was awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999 in recognition of his
contribution to the Nation.

(14) As President, Gerald R. Ford bore the weight of a constitutional crisis and guided the Nation on a path of healing and
restored hope, earning forever the enduring respect and gratitude of the Nation.

(b) Naming of CVN-


78 Aircraft Carrier.--CVN-78, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier of the Navy, shall be named the U.S.S. Gerald Ford.