They played quite a crucial role in what is currently being described as among the Navy’s finest hours – the killing and funeral of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, self-proclaimed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

According to a feature on the Navy Times, it looks like the carrier is ready to move on to another “mission:” playing host to the basketball game between Michigan State and North Carolina, scheduled for Veterans Day. Mike Whalen of the Morale Entertainment Foundation revealed that the Foundation, along with ESPN, the Navy and vendors, are slated to be at the ship in order to conduct a site survey, on Monday and Tuesday.

Whalen shared: “Now that the Carl Vinson is back safe and sound and America is now well-aware of the important mission that was tasked to the Carl Vinson, we find it to be a source of pride that this ship will make history twice in 2011.”

Plans for the event include setting up court and stadium seating for an estimated 7,000 fans on the flight deck. If it rains, then the game will be moved to the hangar deck. Whalen said that the game is almost a done deal, with the possibility of the game pushing through estimated at 99 percent.

If it does push through, the game may become the first NCAA game played on a flat top.

The feature shared that the USS Carl Vinson was in the Arabian Sea when it received bin Laden’s body. the terrorist leader’s remains were reportedly placed in a weighted bag, and dropped into sea after an officer made religious remarks.