Aircraft Carriers Intensive PIX!!

[Hump]

Hi Guys, I've seen some great photos and wanted to contribute. I was on the Melbourne for Rimpac 75. She was a great ship and I was sorry to see her go. I still think that a Navy without a Carrier and Fleet Air Arm is pathetic. Sorry the pics aren't Hi res but it's all we've got down here.

Hump

[santana]

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2008) A wall of sea water crashes into the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while Sailors assigned to the deck department guide pallets of supplies aboard during a replenishment at sea. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Holt (Released)

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NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 6, 2008) The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) heads to sea. Kearsarge is en route to Latin America and the Caribbean on a humanitarian civic assistance mission. The assigned medical and engineering staff embarked aboard Kearsarge will work with partner nations to provide medical and engineering assistance to six different nations in the Caribbean and Latin America to improve mutual understanding of current medical issues and technology. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lolita M. Lewis/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (Aug. 7, 2008) Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Jeffrey Jackson embraces his wife and daughter after departing the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) at Naval Air Station North Island. The 46- year-old carrier is the oldest active-duty warship in the Navy and will be replaced this summer by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexia M. Riveracorrea/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (Aug. 7, 2008) Sailors at Naval Air Station North Island stand at parade rest to welcome the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as she returns to her homeport of San Diego after being forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for the past 10 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Damien Horvath/Released)

[bd popeye]

The USS Saratoga CV-60. Know as "Big Sixty..from Dixie"..and the "Super Sara" Saratoga served the US from 14 Apr 1956 until 20 Aug 1994.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) as built, 1956. Sailing past the Statue Of Liberty. From Our Navy magazine, 15 October 1956

A great and very interesting aerial view of USS Saratoga in the second half of 1956, possibly during her shakedown cruise. "Canted" flight deck early markings are clearly visible. Note that Forrestal and Saratoga were built with a fore and a mainmast; Sara's mainmast was removed early in 1957. This was a period of change-over between aircraft paint schemes: both the "old," overall glossy sea blue, and the "new," light gull gray over glossy insignia white, schemes are represented; a few aircraft even appear to be in the "natural metal" finish experimented in 1952-1955.

..Athens was a great liberty port..
Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# CVA-60-4186(L)) of USS Saratoga (CVA-60) in May 1958, during her first Mediterranean cruise. She is in Piraeus Harbor(Athens) and her crew is "manning the rail" for a visit of the King and Queen of Greece.

BuNo 146697, the 4th production North American A3J-1 Vigilante, conducted the type's initial carrier suitability tests aboard USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during the week of July 25, 1960. Piloted by NATC's CDR Carl Cruse, LCDR Ed Decker and LT **** Wright, the Vigilante made 14 successful launches and arrested landings.
Official US Navy photo.

Underway at high speed, sometime in 1977, getting ready for flight operations. Like Forrestal, she had been fitted with two Sea Sparrow launchers and the appropriate SPS-58 radar.
Sara deployed to the Mediterranean, July 11-December 23, 1977 with Carrier Air Wing Three. CVW-3 included F-4J Phantoms, A-7E Corsairs, A-6E and KA-6D Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, S-3A Vikings, E-2C Hawkeyes and SH-3H Sea Kings.

Aerial port quarter view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, October 22, 1982, conducting post-modernization trials. Saratoga underwent the most extensive industrial overhaul ever performed on any Navy ship, the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (October 1, 1980-February 2, 1983). Several problems were soon found, including improper welding of boiler tubes, and she was inoperative for several months. Newly nicknamed "Super Sara," she deployed again in April 1984.
US Navy photo by PH3 Kenneth J. Berkeihiser (DVIC id: DN-SC-83-04010).

photo of USS Saratoga (CV-60) taken in April 1985 by an F-14 TARPS pod

[Hump]

Correct me if I am wrong but the Forrestal and the Saratoga were the first of the "Super Carriers" weren't they?? It's amazing how over a period of 10 to 15 years the Aircraft Carrier progressed from someone dropping a "Flat Top" onto and old Cruiser Hull to what we have today. Finding this site and thread has been one of the best thing to happen to me since I've had Internet. Great Pictures and Great Stories keep it up Guys.

Hump

[bd popeye]

Thank you Hump for the very kind words to all our great members that post in this thread and view it...

Last Thursday the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 returned to San Diego after being stationed in japan for 10 years.

The Kitty Hawk has been in continuous service since 21 April 1961.

Here are some photos of the air wing doing it's final launch from the 47 year old carrier.


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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 6, 2008) Aviation Boatwain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Michael Ogalino, from Orlando, Fla., launches an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Carrier Air Wing 5 aircraft flew off Kitty Hawk to join the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in San Diego. George Washington will replace Kitty Hawk as the Navy's only carrier operating from Japan in September. Kitty Hawk is headed back to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos Gomez/Releaased)

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An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time.

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Sailors align an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 onto a catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for its final launch from the retiring warship.

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Two F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 launch from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time.

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 6, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time.

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An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time

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An EA-6B Prowler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time

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An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time.

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 6, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time. Carrier Air Wing 5 aircraft flew off Kitty Hawk to join the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in San Diego. George Washington will replace Kitty Hawk as the Navy's only carrier operating from Japan in September. Kitty Hawk is headed back to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau/Released)

[santana]

So all this aircraft will not return the the Kitty Hawk?

[Hump]

I don't know about there but here in Aus they go back to land bases and get reassigned to other duties mate.
Have a good one
Hump

[bd popeye]

So all this aircraft will not return the the Kitty Hawk?

No they will not.

The aircraft & personnel from CVW-5, Kitty Hawk, are now shore based temporarily at NAS North Island in San Diego CA. There they will continue to train and conduct normal flight operations. When the George Washingtion deploys back to Japan CVW-5 will deploy with them. CVW-5 has been based in Japan since October 1973 when they arrived there with my old ship the USS Midway CVA-41. The CVW-5 aircraft & personnel are based at NAF Atsugi Japan when not aboard the ship.

[grenadier07]

The USS Enterprise with the nuclear powered cruisers USS Bainbridge and USS Long Beach in 1964. Also the Enterprise on fire from an acidentally detonated zuni rocket in 1969, and just a comparison of the US Navy's flattops stacked up against the rest of the world.

[bd popeye]

The USS Ranger CV-61..known as "Top Gun of the Pacific Fleet...Bar none!"

Ranger was commissioned at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard 10 August 1957.

Ranger was decommissioned on 10 July 1993, and is at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash.
Ranger earned 13 battle stars for service in Vietnam.

Aerial view of USS Ranger (CVA 61) 3/4 bow, high oblique. Official USN photograph, USN 1039396, dated October 26, 1957. Released. From US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington DC.

Ranger passing under a bridge..date and place unknown.

USS Ranger (CVA-61), circa June 1958, with Carrier Air Group 14 arriving in Yokosuka Japan

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at sea during her third deployment to the western Pacific, 26 August 1961. Among the planes parked on her flight deck are eight A3D twin-engine jet bombers assigned to VAH-6 "Fleurs," based at NAS Whidbey Island.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97686).

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway during her second WestPac/Vietnam cruise, December 10, 1965–August 25, 1966. Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) deployed with the ship.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) launches a bomb-laden A-7A "Corsair II" attack aircraft from one of her waist catapults, during operations in the Gulf of Tonkin in January 1968. Photographed by PH1 Donald F. Grantham.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1130916).

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 1 May 1975. Photographed by PH2 Paul Burns. Note round helicopter spots painted on her flight deck.
Ranger was the last of the Forrestals to retain 5"/54 Mk.42 DP mounts. By the time this photo was taken there were only two of them, one on each of the aft sponsons. During a later period in dock (1977-1978) the 5" guns were replaced by three BPDMS launchers. Note that the number of arrester wires had been reduced to four.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97687).

A starboard quarter view of USS Ranger (CV-61). Sailors man the rails as the carrier enters Pearl Harbor, HI. Photo is dated March 1, 1982 but it might have been actually taken in April. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-82-07170).

Marines and Sailors of the carrier's crew man the rails as she leaves Honolulu, Hawaii, on 10 March 1989, en route to the western Pacific. Photographed by PH3 Bos. Tug at left is Niantic (YTB-781).
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97690-KN).

Her 24th and final deployment, August 1, 1992 through January 30, 1993 saw Ranger's planes (Carrier Air Wing Two, CVW-2) in action over Iraq (Operation Southern Watch, September-December) and Somalia (Operation Restore Hope, December).

[santana]

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PACIFIC OCEAN (August 16, 2008) Gunner's Mate Seaman Brian Utne takes aim on a .50-caliber machine gun at a floating target (Killer Tomato) during a training exercise aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Killer Tomatoes are used during live-fire exercises in order to give the gunner an active target and a better understanding as to how the gun reacts when fired. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gary Prill/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (August 15, 2008) The underway replenishment crew aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) tensions the six-foot messenger line to receive cargo from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) during a replenishment at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gary Prill/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 15, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) maneuver together during a replenishment at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 15, 2008) An HH-60H Sea Hawk assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 hovers over the deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while Sailors on deck clear cargo during a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy/Released)

[Kingswat]

Nice pics Popeye, especially the ones of the older ships.

[santana]

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A U.S. Navy crew member walks on USS Kearsarge anchored near to Bilwi's port at the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.


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Members of U.S embassy in Managua land on USS Kearsarge anchored near to Bilwi's port at the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.The USS Kearsarge was there to provide medical care to victims and contribute to the rebuilding of areas affected by Hurricane Felix.


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A U.S Marine helicopter prepares to land on USS Kearsarge anchored near to Bilwi's port at the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.The USS Kearsarge was there to provide medical care to victims and contribute to the rebuilding of areas affected by Hurricane Felix.

[bd popeye]

Nice pics Popeye, especially the ones of the older ships.

Thank you! I will be posting 10 pix of the USS Independence CV-62 Saturday...

[Hellfish]

I just saw the Ranger, Connie and Independence on Monday. They're still impressive.

Is it cool to add naval aviation to the thread? I get a hard-on for the old whale...