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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

Patch at left courtesy of CAPT Gene Oleson, CHC, USN (Ret) (bluejacket.com)
Crest at right courtesy of USS Saratoga Association

USS SARATOGA   (CVA-60)
(later CV-60)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Juliet - Romeo - Sierra
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "FAIRFIELD"

CLASS - FORRESTAL
Displacement 56,000 Tons, Dimensions, 1039' (oa) x 129' 1" x 37' (Max)
Armament 8 x 5"/54, 100 Aircraft.
Armor, Unknown.
Machinery, 280,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 34 Knots, Crew 3800 - 4280.

Operational and Building Data

Ordered as a "Large Aircraft Carrier", hull number CVB-60. Contract awarded to the New York Naval Shipyard, New York City, N.Y., 23 Jul 1952. Reclassified as an "Attack Aircraft Carrier" (CVA-60), 1 Oct 1952. Laid down 16 Dec 1952, launched 8 Oct 1955, commissioned 14 Apr 1956.

Reclassified as a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier" (CV-60), 30 Jun 1972. Modernized at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Oct 1980-Feb 1983 under SLEP (Service Life Extension Program). Decommissioned at the Naval Station, Mayport, Fla., 20 Aug 1994, and stricken from the Navy List the same day; towed to Philadelphia, Pa., in May 1995, then to Newport, R.I., in Aug 1998 (upon deactivation of the Philadelphia Navy Yard). First placed on donation hold, her status was then changed to "disposal as an experimental ship." Returned to donation hold on 1 Jan 2000

Status: Stricken, available for donation as a museum and memorial (Maintenance Category X).
Berth: NAVSTA Newport, R.I.
Planned disposition: On Donation Hold as a Museum and Memorial.


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Namesake
Battle of Saratoga
NS020351
205k

The Battle of Saratoga in September and October 1777 was a decisive American victory resulting in the surrender of an entire British army of 9,000 men invading New York from Canada during the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles about 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York, namely the Battle of Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights, and is related with the earlier Battle of Bennington, about 15 miles east of Saratoga. The surrender of General John Burgoyne, who was surrounded by much larger American militia forces, took place after his retreat to Saratoga. The capture of an entire British army secured the northern American states from further attacks out of Canada and prevented New England from being isolated. A major result was that France entered the conflict on behalf of the Americans, thus dramatically improving the Americans' chances in the war. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. There were actually two battles at Saratoga. The first began with John Burgoyne's offensive on September 19, the second with the fighting during the Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7. In the first Battle at Saratoga, generally referred to by historians as Freeman's Farm, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. In the second Battle, otherwise known as Bemis Heights, British losses were four to one. The rebels' victory was overwhelming. After negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17. He returned to England in disgrace and was never given another command. When news of the American victory reached Europe, France entered the war on the side of the patriots. Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army with the support necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain. Britain's loss at Saratoga was disastrous because it showed the European powers that the rebels were capable of defeating the English on their own. More than any other event, it would prove decisive in determining the eventual outcome of the War and the victory of Patriots.

"Surrender of General Burgoyne," painting by John Trumbull (1822); photograph by the Architect of the Capitol.

Text and image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Submitted by Bill Gonyo.
1956 – 1994
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026040
118k

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) as built, 1956. From Our Navy magazine, 15 October 1956.

Stanley Svec
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026025
64k

Postcard. Photo was likely taken in 1956, prior to removal of mainmast.

-
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026043
77k

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.

Image courtesy of
Larry Blumenthal, PH3, 1957-61.
"US Navy Photos"
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026023
83k

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (left), with Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, visiting USS Saratoga (CVA-60) on 6 June 1957. Between and behind them is the Presidential Naval Aide, Captain Evan P. Aurand, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-22608).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026024
95k

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at her anchorage in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the International Naval Review, 12 June 1957. Photographed by PH1 Castiglia, from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97674).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026038
40k

At sea during NATO Exercise Strike Back, September 1957.

Photo by Glenn Herzenach PNSN, USN (USS Intrepid, 1957-1958). Submitted by Robert Hall.
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026026
89k

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at sea on 17 February 1958, as four Douglas AD4-1 Skyhawk aircraft from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) fly past in formation. These planes are Bureau #s 139928, 139968, 139970 and 142152.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1034275).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026046
200k

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 and her crew is "manning the rail" for a visit of the King and Queen of Greece.

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026047
189k

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 Dick Wright, the Vigilante made 14 successful launches and arrested landings.

Official US Navy photo.

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-62 Independence, CVA-60 Saratoga, CVA-11 Intrepid
NS026222
125k

USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) (listed from bottom to top) underway in 1961, with crewmen paraded on deck in a spellout commemorating the 50th birthday of Naval Aviation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97716).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026027
111k

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) with her crew manning the rail on the flight deck, as she arrives in Barcelona, Spain, 12 February 1965. Photographed by PH1 M.J. Stump.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110849).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026028
71k

U.S. Sixth Fleet ships at anchor in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on 17 March 1965. The large carrier, at right, is USS Saratoga (CVA-60). Other U.S. Navy ships visible include one Essex-class attack aircraft carrier (USS Shangri-La, CVA-38), two guided missile light cruisers (CLG), two guided-missile frigates (DLG), six destroyers (DD), two oilers (AO) and other auxiliaries. There are also several merchant ships present.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1111048).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026005
40k Atlantic Ocean, May 8, 1967. From Fred T. Berry (DD-858) ©Richard Leonhardt
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026007
66k Atlantic Ocean, May 1967. F-4 Phantoms on deck. ©Richard Leonhardt.
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026008
121k Atlantic Ocean, May 1967, detail of island. ©Richard Leonhardt.
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026029
85k

President Richard M. Nixon (left), with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, witness air and sea power demonstrations from the flight deck of USS Saratoga (CVA-60), in the Atlantic Ocean, May 1969. Photographed by PH3 Philip J. Fraga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-72713).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026030
123k

North American RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft (Bureau # 146696) lands on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60). This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in May 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1140473).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026031
85k

Entertainer Bob Hope on stage with Miss World, during a Christmas show for servicemen held on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60), off Gaeta, Italy, 22 December 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-80498).

NHC
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026001
33k Undated. USN
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026032
140k

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic, off Jacksonville, Florida, 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97675).

NHC
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026033
141k

USS Saratoga (CV-60) seen from astern, while underway off Jacksonville, Florida, on 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97676).

NHC
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026018
109k

USS Little Rock (CG-4) steaming with USS Saratoga (CV-60) and other units of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, en route to an anchorage near Gaeta, Italy, on 16 March 1976. The ships are returning from a training exercise.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 98962).

NHC
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026004
177k

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.

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

USN
CVA-60 Saratoga
NS026006
122k Mayport Florida, April 1978, USS Vogelgesang (DD-864) in foreground. ©Richard Leonhardt.
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026034
34k A right front view of a Medium Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) A-7E Corsair II aircraft landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) during training exercises off the coast of Florida, 8 January 1980. US Navy photo by Robert L. Lawson (DVIC id: DNSN8406780). Defense Visual Information Center
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026041
217k

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).

Defense Visual Information Center
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026003
86k A starboard quarter view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway during operations with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, April 15, 1984. Photo by PH1 Goodrich (DVIC id: DNST8408938). Defense Visual Information Center
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026002
101k

A bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway during operations with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, April 15, 1984. Photo by PH1 Goodrich (DVIC id: DNST8408942).

Defense Visual Information Center
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026048
220k

Starboard bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Med, April 15, 1984. Official US Navy Photograph (#DN-SN-84-08947) from the DAVA Still Media Depository, Washington DC.

Robert M. Cieri
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026039
79k

Underway with her Battle Group, mid-1980s.

Alex Tatchin
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026019
43k

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

John Rutherford
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026020
66k

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

John Rutherford
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026021
36k

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

John Rutherford
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026049
191k

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

Robert M. Cieri
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026011
105k

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with three F-14 fighters on her bow and waist catapults during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 15 September 1985.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97677-KN).

Mark W. Lupus
CV-60 + AOE-3 + FF-1040
NS0602104010
70k

Mediterranean Sea, October 21, 1985 — An elevated port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60), the fast combat support ship Seattle (AOE-3) and the frigate Garcia (FF-1040) participating in an underway replenishment.

Fred Weiss
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026050
258k

A great official US Navy photograph of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard, circa 1990–1991.

Robert M. Cieri
CV-60 Saratoga et al.
NS0267ac
105k

Top to bottom: USS Biddle (CG-34), USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS San Jacinto (CG-56). This photo was taken during Operation Desert Shield, September 1990, in the Red Sea, by one of the JFK's photomates.

Bob Haner, YN1, USN (Ret.)
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026042
75k

A port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, August 13, 1993, with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17). US Navy photo by PH2 Al Renkel (Photo available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id: DN-SC-93-06135).

Alex Tatchin
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026012
27k

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Photo by Russ Hartley,
USS Saratoga,
1977-78
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026022
27k

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Photo by Russ Hartley,
USS Saratoga,
1977-78
CV-60 Saratoga
NS026013
27k

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Photo by Russ Hartley,
USS Saratoga,
1977-78
Ex-USS Saratoga
ex-Forrestal
NS0259ao
59k

Ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right), Newport, R.I., date unknown.

Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian
ex-Saratoga
NS026017
195k

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at Newport, RI, August 2003.

Peter E. Skoutas
EN1 (SW)
ex-Forrestal + ex-Saratoga
NS026035
49k

Ex-Saratoga (top) and ex-Forrestal at Newport, RI, sometime in 2002-2005.

Image courtesy of Google Earth.

Ray Gedeon (brother of Paul Gedeon, USS Saratoga, 1962-1964).
ex-Forrestal + ex-Saratoga
NS026044
89k

Ex-Saratoga and ex-Forrestal (moored to the far side of the pier) at Newport, RI, June 10, 2005.

J. Tyler
ex-Forrestal
NS025989
149k

The islands of the decommissioned Forrestal (ex-CV 59) and Saratoga (ex-CV 60). October 15, 2006.

Joe Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
ex-Saratoga, ex-Forrestal
NS025960
159k

Pier view at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, looking at the ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and the ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right). Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.

Photo by Allen Adriani,
John Adriani Collection
ex-Saratoga
NS026045
118k

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, USA. Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.

Photo by Allen Adriani,
John Adriani Collection

For more information about this ship, see:

USS SARATOGA CVA-60 History
View This Vessels
DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact: Mr. Brad Senter
Address: 1302-28th Avenue North — Texas City, TX 77590
Phone: (toll free) 1-877-360-SARA (7272)
E-mail: USS Saratoga Association
Web site: USS Saratoga Association
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Official U.S. Navy Carrier Website
USS Saratoga Association web site

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Last update: 13 September 2009