The United States is removing two of its five aircraft carriers from
waters near Iraq, Navy officials said on April 14, 2003 as the last
stronghold of Saddam Hussein's collapsed government fell to U.S.
Marines.

The officials, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters the
carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Constellation had received orders to
depart the Gulf in coming days. A boat sails past the Constellation
near Hong Kong in this November 22, 2002 file photo. REUTERS/Bobby
Yip/Files