Big E entering drydock, 1991

In March of 1991, the USS Enterprise entered drydock at Newport News Shipbuilding where she would remain for the next 3-1/2 years to undergo the Navy's longest and most extensive overhaul. This time produced many "shipyard sailors," enlisted sailors with 2 and 3-year-terms whose entire military career consisted of shipyard work. For the sailors who were fortunate enough to experience the shipyard period and the ship's return to active service in 1996, there was an extra feeling of pride and accomplishment having rebuilt the mighty vessel that would once again become the home and workplace of thousands of sailors.

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