Kuwait Times

Kuwait’s aircraft carrier

- By Saad Al-Motesh

Commercial planes of countries worldwide are named after landmarks and icons. In Kuwait, planes are named after islands, important local areas and icons like Warba, Boubyan, Failaka, Al-Jahra, AlFintas, Dasman, Al-Sabahiya, Al-Seif and, the most famous ever, Al-Jabriya, which was hijacked in the mid1980s. The same naming convention often works for aircraft carriers. For instance, France has named the largest carrier in its fleet after its first president following the German occupation, Charles De Gaulle.

Several US aircraft carriers are named after American leaders, namely George Washington, Truman, Stennis and Eisenhower. We are often reminded of the US destroyer Missouri that bombed the Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait and how some people joked about the name, calling it ‘Me Sorry’ as if it were apologizin­g for bombing the enemy.

Kuwait has large oil and gas vessels named Dar Salwa, Al-Derwaza, Al-Salmi, Motreba and many others. However, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah demonstrat­ed during his most recent grilling’s debate that we do have a senior official as big and strong as an aircraft carrier. In response to the grilling motions filed against him, the premier said we have always known him for being too firm to be affected by storms. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlSabah also applauded his efficiency. Long live our mighty aircraft carrier! — Translated by Kuwait Times

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