The USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1961. It was the last conventionally powered aircraft carrier built for the U.S. Navy and served for nearly 50 years, participating in various military operations and exercises around the world. The ship was named after the location of the Wright brothers' first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Throughout its service, the USS Kitty Hawk was home to numerous aircraft, including the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet. The carrier was decommissioned in 2009 and is notable for its long service life and significant contributions to naval aviation history.