On March 11, 2017, the ex-USS INDEPENDENCE left the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash., under tow heading for the scrapyard in Brownsville, Tx. The tow took her around South America and was expected to take about two months until the carrier reached International Shipbreaking's facility. During her lay-up in Bremerton, she was extensively used as a parts hulk for the Navy's other aircraft carriers, leading to the decision to scrap her instead of offering her as a museum ship. The INDEPENDENCE is the last of the four FORRESTAL-class aircraft carriers to be scrapped. Her three sisterships have already been or are currently being dismantled in Brownsville.
