1986day.year
The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise becomes the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal, navigating from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to relieve the USS Coral Sea.
USS Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal, demonstrating naval mobility and strategic reach.
On April 29, 1986, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise steamed through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. This historic transit marked the first time a nuclear-powered carrier navigated the vital waterway, showcasing the flexibility of nuclear propulsion. The move allowed Enterprise to relieve the USS Coral Sea on duty in the Mediterranean without refueling stops. Canal authorities and naval observers highlighted the passage as a milestone in maritime engineering and Cold War strategy. The transit underscored the United States' commitment to rapid force projection and operational readiness. Naval officials celebrated the achievement as a validation of nuclear power's advantages at sea.
aircraft carrier
USS Enterprise
aircraft carrier
Suez Canal
Red Sea
USS Coral Sea