Keel Laid: August 13, 1973
          Launched: January 21, 1978
          Commissioned: July 28, 1979 
          Decommissioned: March 31, 2011

          Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, West Bank, Pascagoula, Miss.
          Propulsion system: two boilers, two geared steam turbines
          Propellers: two
          Aircraft elevators: two
          Length: 833,34 feet (254 meters)
          Flight Deck Width: 132,2 feet (40.3 meters)
          Beam: 106,6 feet (32.5 meters)
          Draft: 26,25 feet (8 meters)
          Displacement: approx. 39,300 tons full load
          Speed: 24 knots
          Crew: Ship: 82 officers, 882 enlisted; Marine Detachment: 1,900+
          Armament: 
           - two Rolling Airframe Missile Systems (RAM) 
           - four 25mm Mk 38 Gun Mounts
           - two Phalanx CIWS, five .50 Cal. Mounts