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This aircraft carrier is the world’s most expensive parking lot

By Matt Hardigree | Jalopnik – Mon, Jan 23, 2012 8:09 PM EST

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What you're looking at is the deck of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan covered in the vehicles of Navy Sailors heading to Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington. At a cost of about $4.5 billion this is probably the world's most expensive parking lot.

It may seem phenomenal, but this is actually a common occurrence for the Navy and a lot cheaper and easier than transporting the vehicles almost any other way. The weight of one E-2C Hawkeye is approximately 43,000 pounds, or about 12 cars, and a Nimitz-class carrier usually carries four of those.

But more to the point, this does save the U.S. Navy money. First, the only other way to get vehicles owned by Navy sailors to their final destinations is to put them in another ship. Second, if they didn't send soldiers' vehicles they'd have to pay for transportation at the final destination. Both of which would absolutely would cost more money.

The U.S.S. Ronald recently served in Asia and was en route to Kitsap for upgrades and repairs.

(Hat tip to SenorDuckLives!)

Photo Credit: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Winn
 
 
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4,427 comments

  • 71
    71  •  4 months ago
    Neat. And so much more educational than reading our usual crap about the Kardashians.
    • sucksbeinghomo
      sucksbeinghomo 4 months ago
      yea but you bring them up on every dam comment section on articles that have nothing at all to do with them.....
    • Robert
      Robert 4 months ago
      just had to bring them up
    • Dude
      Dude 4 months ago
      it was nice till you brought them up.
  • TKE29
    TKE29  •  4 months ago
    I don't think anyone (well anyone with any common sense) would complain about Navy Sailors having their vehicles transported on a Navy Ship. They owe me no explaination at all once they said there vehicles belong to the sailors I salute and tell them to have a safe journey!
    • J
      J 4 months ago
      I love the way you think...just wish more Americans thought the same way. Our Military deserve so much more than they currently get for what they are doing for us and our country. God Bless all of our Military!!
    • patriot
      patriot 4 months ago
      Who's the scrouge little PhCk that gave the thumbs down.
    • Kickice
      Kickice 4 months ago
      it does make sense, and helps all those involved, including the taxpayers...
  • ErnLeg
    ErnLeg  •  4 months ago
    First of all the cost of $4.5 billion is the cost of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. Since this ship is going to Bremerton, Washington anyway and there are no aircraft on board, IT IS very cost effective that the vehicles of the crew associated with this vessel be transported on it. It is a shame that all the horrid comments about this article comes from those who did not bother to comprehend what it was they were reading. Another thing... the Navy is not the only branch of service that provides this service to their personnel. The Air Force routinely transports personnel being relocated on aircraft that is travelling to the same destination. This is called common sense. Our soldiers sacrifice their time, their lives and often times time with their family to protect this country and all who reside in it. The least this nation can do is appreciate their sacrifices. To all of you who have served and are currently serving to protect this country, I am proud to have served at your side. I salute you all.
    • Mark
      Mark 4 months ago
      Please do not salute me..I am not an officer. Thanks you. Sgt. Smith.
    • William Tran
      William Tran 4 months ago
      Screw the person who put a thumbs down!!!
    • Artemis
      Artemis 4 months ago
      What are you talking about? No one is being negative so stop making stuff up. Please cite examples as I haven't seen it.
  • Geovs20
    Geovs20  •  4 months ago
    TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE ARMED FORCES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY, AND YOUR TIME, I MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT THIS GOVERMENT DOES MOST THE TIME BUT I LOVE YOU BRAVE FIGHTING, FREEDOM LOVING KIDS! GOD BLESS ALL YOU!
    • Uncle James
      Uncle James 4 months ago
      AMEN!!
    • ooo
      ooo 4 months ago
      WHY ARE WE YELLING?
    • A Yahoo! User 4 months ago
      And I on behalf of the service members thank you for your support, and also all the American people who supported us.

      V/r,
      SGM Galeana
  • Jimmy A.
    Jimmy A.  •  4 months ago
    From an OLD salt There is the right way and the wrong way and then there is the NAVY way whitch is still the best way. Makes me proud ! !
    • Eugene D
      Eugene D 4 months ago
      As an OLD salt my self I have to agree. I was on the USS Bennington CVS20, and USS Kearsrage CVS33 1964 to 1968. And the Navy way..is the way.
    • James
      James 4 months ago
      USS Joseph Hewes FF-1078, 79-82. Hell Yeah!
    • Uncle James
      Uncle James 4 months ago
      Amen brother!!
  • dave
    dave  •  4 months ago
    Nothing wrong with this practice. Just the way the article was written. Go Navy.
  • NU
    NU  •  4 months ago
    The aircraft carrier isn't a parking lot. It's a ferry in the pragmatic sense. As long as it's the most expedient way to help our sailors and coincidentally the cheapest, who cares. God bless to all those that serve and protect our country.
  • 2741
    2741  •  4 months ago
    finally something educational.
  • Paul
    Paul  •  4 months ago
    It makes perfect since.
  • JOHNNY
    JOHNNY  •  4 months ago
    "Wow" that's amazing at least the Air Craft Carrier was going that way so it doesn't look to bad but I believe we need to save where ever we can and thanks USA for taking care of our Soldiers I Served 20yrs of my life in the Military and I was paid and taking care of well so to those of you who don't agree with this Kiss my A__ what have you done for our Country.....God Bless our US of A ......JMoon..
  • RailroadMike
    RailroadMike  •  4 months ago
    I say we the people should do anything and everthing possible to help our military and their familys. Housing,food,transportation. Nothing but the best for our military.
  • Everyman
    Everyman  •  4 months ago
    Makes me proud to be an American; it's just cool that they do that.
  • Jay
    Jay  •  4 months ago
    I bet the cat could launch a smart car pretty far!..lol
  • Beach Bum
    Beach Bum  •  4 months ago
    A pretty creative way to control costs. Good job Navy! As for the author of this article, he needs to do a much better job of explaining the story. The $4.5B price tag has nothing to do with this story.
  • tom
    tom  •  4 months ago
    Nice thing about the navy, where ever you go your bunk goes with you. And so does your car, lol! Seriously though, if you join the military and actually take advantage of the things they do to take care of their troops it can be a good experience. This being just one example but a cool one. I've spoken to alot of guys after being over seas and many picked up nice cars for cheap before coming home. A worth while use of mobile 4.5 acres of sovereign US territory!
  • light reading
    light reading  •  4 months ago
    The USS Ronald? Really? Who edits this stuff???
  • NOAH
    NOAH  •  4 months ago
    the regan is station in san diego and are being relocated to bremerton, the cars belong to the sailors, if they didnt do this then the sailors would have to drive from san diego,ca to bremerton wa,
  • MichaelS
    MichaelS  •  4 months ago
    It is a dis-service to our Navy to call it a parking lot. They could have said most expensive ferry. Since the ship is making the trip and it saves the Navy money, the story should have a positive headline. Even if it cost a little more to transport the cars with the people, the advantages and moral boost would be woth the investment.

    Thanks to all the service men (and women).
  • KEVIN
    KEVIN  •  4 months ago
    As a retired Army Vet - I just want to say "GO NAVY!!!"
  • Robby
    Robby  •  4 months ago
    Dude. First. About time we used common sense to save money.
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