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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

CV-61 Ranger
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS RANGER   (CVA-61)
(later CV-61)

U.S.S. RANGER
Courtesy of Al Grazevich



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Hotel - Kilo - Golf
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "GRAY EAGLE"


Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

   

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award / Navy Unit Commendation (3)
2nd Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (5) / Navy "E" Ribbon (2) / Navy Expeditionary Medal
3rd Row: National Defense Service Medal (2) / Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5) / Vietnam Service Medal (11 stars)
4th Row: Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 stars) / Humanitarian Service Medal / Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm)
5th Row: Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal / Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Saudi Arabia) / Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

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.


On 26 September 2012, ex-Ranger (CV-61) was removed from donation hold and redesignated for dismantling. Ex-Ranger had been available for donation as a museum/memorial since March 2004 but no organization was able to meet the Navy's minimum requirements for ship donation.

The Navy awarded a contract, 22 December 2014, for the towing and dismantling of ex-Ranger. The ship would be towed from the Navy's Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Washington, to International Shipbreaking, Ltd.'s ship dismantling facility in Brownsville, Texas, for complete dismantling and recycling. The decommissioned carrier departed Bremerton under tow on 5 March 2015, and arrived in Brownsville on 12th July. It was too large for passage through the Panama Canal and had to be towed around South America.

Status: Disposed of by recycling (scrapping/recycling), 5 December 2017.


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Namesake
CV-4 Ranger
NS020457
204k

CVA-61 was named after "famous ships of the past" that had borne the name Ranger.

The first American Ranger was an 18-gun Continental Navy sloop, launched on 10 May 1777 by James K. Hackett, master shipbuilder, at Portsmouth, NH. Captain John Paul Jones in command.

Ranger vs. HMS Drake, 24 April 1778. Ranger captures the British sloop-of-war Drake, 20, Commander George Burdon, in an hour's action off Carrickfergus, Ireland.

Previous Rangers:

  1. Continental Navy sloop.
  2. An armed schooner.
  3. A brigantine.
  4. A steam-powered gunboat.
  5. A steel-hulled patrol craft.
  6. A wooden patrol craft.
  7. A canceled battle cruiser, originally named Lexington.
  8. A canceled battle cruiser, renamed Constitution.
  9. The first American aircraft carrier designed and built as such from the keel up.
Image from Naval Aviation News, October 1957 issue
CV-4 Ranger
NS020457a
369k

"Engagement off Carrickfergus, Ireland, 24 April 1778. ('USS Ranger versus HMS Drake,' Arthur N. Disney, Sr., Navy Art Collection)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

John Slaughter,
CV-4 Ranger
NS020457b
476k

"Mural depicting the continental sloop Ranger receiving the salute of the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. ('First Foreign Salute to the Stars and Stripes, 14 February 1778.' Howard B. French, U.S. Naval Academy)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

Construction, 1954–1957
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026197
301k

Keel laying of Ranger, 2 August 1954. There was no ceremony.

Newport News Shipbuilding photos.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026197a
167k
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026198
155k

The partially built hull of Ranger as it was floated in Shipway 10. The future USS Forrestal is to the left.

Newport News Shipbuilding photo.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026199
344k

Aerial view of Ranger in Shipway 10 taken in the summer of 1956.

Newport News Shipbuilding photo.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261am
117k

"WAP-092606-9/26/56-NEWPORT NEWS, VA: The 5-block-long deck of the carrier Ranger is full of activity as preparations go forward for her christening here 9/29 [29 September 1956]. [H]ere, the radar mast, which is the height of a 19-story building, is being placed into position. The long, covered structures protect the carrier's plane catapults from weather during installation. UNITED PRESS TELEPHOTO  rtf"

Ron Reeves
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ah
120k

Launching of the future USS Ranger (CVA-61) at Newport News on 29 September 1956.

Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, file name: CVA 61 313X1-9-56_092956.

Darryl Baker
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261aha
300k

Ranger (CVA-61) was christened by Mrs. Arthur W. Radford (née Mariam J. Ham), wife of ADM Radford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

NS0261ahd: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-699231.

Dale Hargrave
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ahb
620k
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ahd
212k NARA
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ahc
75k Dale Hargrave
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ae
6.72M
(.PDF)

Program. Christening of the Aircraft Carrier Ranger CVA-61. Saturday, September 29, 1956. Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia.

Ron Reeves
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261af
14.6M
(.PDF)

Presentation Book. Christening of the USS Ranger, September 29, 1956. Mrs. Arthur W. Radford, Sponsor.

Ron Reeves
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ag
2.63M
(.PDF)

USS Ranger CVA-61. Commissioning. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 10 August 1957.

Ron Reeves
USS Ranger, 1957–1993
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026137
163k

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.

David Buell
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026136
180k

Official US Navy Photograph, #USN-1030785, of an A4D-1 Skyhawk of VA-12 Squadron, the "Flying Ubangis" (also known as the "Kiss of Death" because of their insignia.) The aircraft, BuNo 142179, has just missed the wires while attempting to land aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), during CARQUAL Operations near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Photo is dated November 2, 1957.

The "Kiss of Death" was established as VBF-4 on May 12, 1945; redesignated VF-2A on November 15, 1946; redesignated VF-12 on August 2, 1948; and redesignated VA-12 on August 1, 1955. They received their new A4D-1 Skyhawks in April 1957. During this time, VA-12 was part of CVG-1.

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026176
103k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway circa 1957, location unknown. Official U.S. Navy photo.

From Jane's Fighting Ships, 1960–61 and 1961–62 editions.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ad
102k

A Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (BuNo 141732) of Figther Squadron Twenty One (VF-21) "Mach Busters" disengaging the landing cable aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1957. VF-21 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Eight (CVG-8) on Ranger's shakedown cruise from 4 October 1957 to 6 December 1957. The F11F carries the tail code "AM" of Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181), although CVG-8's tail code was "AJ." VF-21 became a Fleet Replacement Squadron and was redesignated VA-43 "Challengers" on 1 July 1959. On the same day VF-64 "Freelancers" was redesignated as the "new" VF-21. US Navy photo by Aviation Guided Missile Airman Neil Summers, USN.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026139
126k

An A3D-2 Skywarrior assigned to VAH-6 "Fleurs" approaches for a landing aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), April 23, 1958. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-88-06693.)

This particular aircraft, BuNo 142401, was converted to the KA-3B tanker version in 1967.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026132
80k

USS Ranger (CVA-61), circa June 1958, with Carrier Air Group 14.

Image courtesy of
Larry Blumenthal, PH3, 1957-61.
"US Navy Photos"
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261an
120k

USS Ranger (CVA-61). This photo is believed to have been taken at Rio de Janeiro, July 1958, during Ranger's homeport change, Norfolk to Alameda, around Cape Horn.

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ap
186k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) in August of 1958 upon her arrival in the Pacific. View is from the top of her island looking forward, with Hunters Point's Dry dock 4 to the right.

US Navy photo now in the "Hunters Point Historical Photo Collection" of the National Archives, San Francisco branch. Photo # MSR-26835-L-8-58.

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026114
98k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) catapults four F8U Crusader jet fighters in quick succession from her bow and waist catapults, during operations in the eastern Pacific, circa 1958. An F4D Skyray fighter is partially visible in the foreground. Ship at left is USS Thetis Bay (CVHA-1).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 84337).

NHC
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0578219
106k

Official USN photograph, USN 1038750, from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington DC. Caption on back reads: "Aerial oblique of the USS Rowan (DD 782) acting as plane guard for the USS Ranger (CVA 61) while enroute for California." It must have been taken sometime between 1958 and 1963.

David Buell
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026165
80k

A bow view of USS Ranger (CVA-61) showing the island superstructure sponson, while at anchor at an unidentified Japanese port, probably in the first half of 1959.

Photo Hajima Fukeya, from "Jane's Fighting Ships," 1959–1960 edition.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS091914809
121k

Ponchatoula (AO-148) during an UNREP with Ranger (CVA-61), date and place unknown.

US Navy photo from All Hands magazine, April 1959.

Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026173
174k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) in front of Diamond Head, Hawaii. The photo was taken by PH2 Mike Herron of OP Division (John Slaughter, informed us that Mike passed away on 15 March 2013). Ranger was anchored specifically for this shot to be taken. This would have been about mid-January, 1959. Information is from PH2 Ken Estes, who was TAD to OP Div. from VAH-6.

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July).

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger + AKS-4 Pollux
NS026172
215k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) taking on supplies from USS Pollux (AKS-4).

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July), probably taken in the Western Pacific.

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026174
199k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) taking on supplies from USS Graffias (AF-29).

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July).

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026115
164k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 19 July 1959.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# 1044215).

From the collection of CDR Thomas B. Ray (USS Essex CV-9),
via Chris Stanley
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026168
81k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) arrives in San Francisco after her first WestPac Cruise, Monday, 27 July 1959. The crew is spelling out "POWER FOR PEACE".

If you have any idea what the symbol or outline is, please let us know. Paul Dixon, W.C. Fields and Rick Baker (thank you!) believe they are probably the Naval Aviators' "Wings of Gold." Claude (V-4 Div., USS Ranger 1957–1961) was there,"in one of the letters in 'Power for Peace,' and corroborates it.

Fred J. Johnson, however, comments: "I was on Ranger during this picture and the symbol is a dove as I remember, but I am 72 now and perhaps I do not remember so well anymore. I was a plane captain in Squadron VF-142, 'World Famous Fighting Falcons' which flew the F8U."

Courtesy of
William T. Larkins
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026129
88k

"Aerial view of USS Ranger (CVA-61)." From the NAVSEA Journal.

Donald Rehg comments: "This photo was taken after ORI for 1960 cruise, departing Pearl Harbor for transit to join TF-77 with CAG-9 aboard. I was standing bridge special sea and anchor detail."

Bob Bush
Photos submitted by Paul Hidy.
Taken by his father, circa 1959–1960.


CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bb
387 Kb
A4D-2 Skyhawk, BuNo 145055, modex NG312, Attack Squadron (VA) 93 "Blue Blazers," Carrier Air Group (CAG) 9.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bba
261 Kb
A4D-2 Skyhawk, VA-93 "Blue Blazers."
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbb
431 Kb
Left: A3D-2 Skywarrior, BuNo 142401, modex NG9, Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 6 "Fleurs." Right: A4D-2 Skyhawks, VA-94 "Shrikes" (#408) and VA-93 "Blue Blazers" (#306).
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbc
385 Kb
Note F3H-2 Demons, Fighter Squadron (VF) 92 "Silver Kings," in the left background, with folded wings.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbd
385 Kb
Launching COD.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbe
322 Kb
A4D-2 Skyhawks (the one closer to camera is attached to Attack Squadron (VA) 93 "Blue Blazers").
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbf
261 Kb
Foreground: TF-1 Trader, BuNo 146041, modex RZ041, Fleet Tactical Support Squadron (VR) 21 "Pineapple Airlines." Background: A3D-2 Skywarrior, BuNo 142401, NG9, Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 6 "Fleurs."
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbg
286 Kb
F3H-2 Demon, Fighter Squadron (VF) 92 "Silver Kings."
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbh
294 Kb
F3H-2 Demon, VF-92 "Silver Kings."
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bbi
344 Kb
F3H-2 Demon, BuNo 143433, NG211, VF-92. Note helicopter in flight, in the right background, and tail of Ranger's COD (TF-1, BuNo 146038) on the left-hand side of the photo.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026171
94k
In Memory of My Brother, My Friend and My Shipmate
David Gerald Priolo ABH3 USN - 28 April 1940 to 24 August 2010

US Navy June 1959 to June 1963
US Naval Training Center San Diego, CA. 1959
NAS Miramar 1959 to 1961
USS Ranger (CVA-61) 1961 to 1963

Gary Philip Priolo
NAVSOURCE
David G. Priolo

Four F8U-2 Crusaders assigned to Fighter Squadron (VF) 91 "Red Lightnings" fly over USS Ranger (CVA-61), sometime between 1960 and 1962. Official U.S. Navy photograph, courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.

CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261as
-

Carrier Qualifications with F-4B Phantom IIs from VMF(AW)-314 "Black Knights" and VMF(AW)-513 "Nightmares" aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61). Date given as July 1963. Location is probably the Eastern Pacific.

Some particular aircraft can be identified in the video and had quite different fates:

  • BuNo 149457, around 3': With LT William W. "Mad Dog" Copeland (pilot) and LT Don Bouchoux (RIO), and flying with Navy's VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" off USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), it shot down a MiG-17 on 11 June 1972 (VF-51's final kill of the Vietnam War).
  • BuNo 150458, around 5': With VF-151 "Vigilantes," crashed on approach to NAS Miramar, CA, 7 April 1964.
  • BuNo 150470, around 12' 50": With VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers," it was shot down (probably by ground fire) 15 miles northwest of Dong Ha, South Vietnam, 15 July 1966. Both Major B.O. Fritsch and 1st Lieutenant C.D. Smith ejected and were recovered.

USMC video, digitized by the University of South Carolina.

Courtesy of University of South Carolina Libraries,
Digital Collections
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026116
101k

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).

NHC
CVA-61 Ranger, CVA-31 Bon Homme Richard, CVA-63 Kitty Hawk
NS0263bn
168k

"Three big carriers tied up at [Hunters Point] Shipyard's waterfront make an impressive sight. They are from left: USS Ranger (CVA-61), Berths 6 & 7; USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Berths 8 & 9, and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), Berths 10 & 11." April 1962.

Ron Reeves
CVA-61 Ranger
NS09051404
43k

Firedrake (AE-14) replenishing Coontz (DLG-9) to starboard and Ranger (CVA-61) to port, during a WESTPAC deployment in the early 1960s. U.S. Navy photo.

EMC(SW) Brian Kroenung
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026183
153k

Gathering of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 9 commanding officers with Captain George C. Duncan, skipper of the carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), 1962–1963.

Bill Gonyo
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026156
327k

USS Bellatrix (AF-62) replenishing USS Ranger (CVA-61), 1963.

Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026155
207k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway with Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9), circa 1963.

Mike Donegan, Navydaze.com
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026184

"In the 1960s, U-2s could not reach certain remote targets because political difficulties prevented basing the aircraft in some foreign nations. The CIA and U.S. Navy, therefore, studied the idea of launching U-2s from aircraft carriers."

Project Whale Tale fitted a few U-2s with arresting hooks like the one on display here [NS026184a]. The hooks would snag cables strung across aircraft carrier decks and 'capture' aircraft, bringing them to a quick stop. The small black plate on the shaft shows that this hook was used in five landings, and could be used up to 20 times."

"To withstand rough carrier landings, Project Whale Tale U-2s were given stronger landing gear, and also wing spoilers to overcome the U-2's tendency to glide instead of landing on the carrier deck. Some later U-2s had folding wings to take up less storage room on the ship."

The first U-2 takeoff from a carrier took place on Aug. 5, 1963, from the USS Kitty Hawk, off San Diego, Calif. The first U-2 carrier landing occurred on March 2, 1964, aboard the USS Ranger. Carrier operations were limited, however, because of the expense and slowness of deploying ships to areas from which information was urgently needed. Only one operational U-2 reconnaissance mission was flown from a carrier, an observation of French nuclear tests in May 1964 [(Mururoa Atoll)] from USS Ranger in the Pacific Ocean."

(Text courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.)

Bob Canchola, BT,
USS Oriskany 1971–73
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026184a
92k U.S. Air Force photo (# 070712-F-1234P-016), on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026167
84k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) departs San Francisco on 5 August 1964, en route to Hawaii and the South China Sea, and what would be her first Vietnam tour. The three North American Vigilantes visible in this photo show their folding wings and fin tips. They were assigned to squadron RVAH-5, "Savage Sons," and were from the batch of A-5B's converted to RA-5C standard.

Photo courtesy of North American Aviation Inc., from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers; partial text from RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat, by Robert R. "Boom" Powell.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026167a
169k

"Lest We Forget, VC-5 'The Savage Sons'," by Bob Lawson, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, February 1996.

"RVAH-5 [formerly VC-5] was the first squadron to take the 'Vigi' [RA-5C] into combat, flying missions over Vietnam and Laos from the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1964."

Tommy Trampp
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261at
124k

A.L. Moiseev and Yu. Sadykov. Allegedly, the ship on the horizon is USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the vicinity of Guam, 1964.

From the archive of A.L. Moiseev, courtesy of the Veterans of the 38th Brigade of Ships of the Red Flag Pacific Fleet website.

Via Bob Canchola
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026117
94k

Mess cook cleans "coppers" in the carrier's galley, during operations in the South China Sea in August 1964. Photographed by JOC R.D. Moeser.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1142206).

NHC
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026158
103k

A-4C Skyhawks being serviced aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61); in the distance are the carriers Coral Sea (CVA-43) and Hancock (CVA-19) with screening destroyers. Photo was taken in early 1965 when the carriers of the Seventh Fleet began sustained bombing operations against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam (USN).

Photo and text from "Aircraft Carriers," by Norman Polmar.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026186
192k

Conducting an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) with an unidentified auxiliary and destroyer USS Agerholm (DD-826).

Photo from the Ranger's 1964–65 Cruise Book (5 August 1964–6 May 1965).

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0583831
225k

USS Ernest G. Small (DDR-838) during her 1964–65 WestPac deployment, as seen from USS Ranger (CVA-61).

Photo from the Ranger's 1964–65 Cruise Book (5 August 1964–6 May 1965).

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026118
117k

Mark 117, 500-pound and 750-pound bombs lined up on the carrier's flight deck, awaiting loading on aircraft for strikes on North Vietnam. Photographed in the South China Sea by JOC Robert S. Moeser and PH1 Jean C. Cote during February and March 1965.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110198).

NHC
CVA-43 Coral Sea
NS024336
101k

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) steams past USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the South China Sea, 24 March 1965, during the early days of the air campaign against North Vietnam.

Aircraft in the foreground is a North American RA-5C Vigilante reconaissance plane (BuNo 149313) assigned to RVAH-5 "Savage Sons." Planes parked beyond it include McDonnell F-4B Phantom II fighters and Douglas A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft. Photographed by JOC R.D. Moeser, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110187-C).

NHC
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ay
489k

Catapult crewmen position an A-4C Skyhawk attack plane (BuNo 149508, modex NG303, assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 93 "Blue Blazers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9) for launch, 24 March 1965. USS Ranger (CVA-61) was then operating in Southeast Asian waters. Markings below the cockpit indicate that the plane's assigned pilot was Lieutenant Commander Olof M. Carlson.

Photographed by PH1 Jean Cote and PHC Robert Moeser.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110178-B).

Note: The Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) identifies the carrier as USS Hancock (CVA-19), but the partly visible island (in the background), this particular aircraft and pilot, and the photographers' names, indicate that the ship is actually Ranger. Note that the plane is carrying practice bombs.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
Task Force 77
NS026119
739k

Task Force 77 operating in the South China Sea, March 1965 [Note: Although the official caption gives a date of "March 1965," the ships' deck logs show that Operation Candid Camera actually took place on 21–22 February]. It had recently launched strikes against North Vietnam. Carriers present are (clockwise from bottom): Ranger (CVA-61), Yorktown (CVS-10), Coral Sea (CVA-43) and Hancock (CVA-19). The guided missile cruiser Canberra (CAG-2) is in the center of the formation. The destroyer screen includes: England (DLG-22), Gurke (DD-783), Rogers (DD-876), Walker (DD-517), O'Bannon (DD-450), Somers (DD-947), Jenkins (DD-447), John A. Bole (DD-755), Higbee (DD-806), Buck (DD-761), Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) and Ernest G. Small (DD-838). This photograph was specially posed, and does not represent a normal operating formation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1109915).

James Shriver, PHCM, USN (Ret), notes: "The photo [...] was taken in an exercise we called 'Operation Candid Camera.' On day one it was tried by a Vigilante photo plane. They missed. So the next day it was tried again and the photos were taken with a hand held camera from a HS-8 helicopter. The photographer was PH1 Elvin C. Conarty (now deceased). I was there... I processed the film and printed the photos."

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
Task Force 77
NS026119a
1.64M

Operation Candid Camera, as above.

PH3 Phil Wayne Harrison,
via Bob Canchola
Task Force 77
NS026119b
2.06M

Operation Candid Camera, as above.

Four F-4B Phantom IIs in flight. They are, clockwise from top: BuNo 151432 (modex NG602), Fighter Squadron (VF) 96 "Fighting Falcons;" NG200 (CAG aircraft) and NG201, VF-92 "Silver Kings;" and BuNo 151438 (NG601), VF-96. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61).

CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bd
403k

Three photos of RF-8A Crusader, BuNo 146861, modex PP903, Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. USS Ranger (CVA-61), 5 August 1964–6 May 1965 WestPac/Vietnam cruise.

(BuNo 146861 was later upgraded to RF-8G standard. Flying with VFP-63 Det. 1 off USS Hancock (CVA-19), on 5 September 1972 it was involved in a three-plane mid-air collision. LCDR Robert W. "Yogi" Harrison, VFP-63 OinC, ejected and was rescued; LT Jack Shultz, Fighter Squadron (VF) 24 "Red Checkertails," in F-8J Crusader BuNo 150299, ejected and was rescued; LT "Skip" Lewis, Attack Squadron (VA) 55 "Warhorses," in an A-4F Skyhawk flown as a tanker that day, was able to return and recover aboard Hancock, but the aircraft had suffered major damage and had to be written off.)

A-4C Skyhawk seen in the left background in photo NS0261bd is possibly BuNo 149537, modex NG313, Attack Squadron (VA) 94 "Shikes."

In photo NS0261bda, A-3B Skywarrior BuNo 147659 (NL812), Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 "Royal Rampants," can be partially seen beyond PP903.

PH3 Phil Wayne Harrison,
via Bob Canchola
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bda
1.88M
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bdb
1.93M
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bc
530k

USS Ranger (CVA-61), general antenna arrangement, island—fwd, looking aft to starboard, Hunters Point San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 22 October 1965, photo MSR-60426-10-65.

Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026143
132k

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.

NS026144: an F-4B Phantom II of VF-142 "Ghostriders" about to catch the wire.

Photos from Angelo Romano's NAVA Collection nava.archives@libero.it
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026144
165k
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026193
161k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) with USS Carpenter (DD-825) in plane guard position during their 1966 WestPac deployment.

Darryl Baker.
CVA-63 Kitty Hawk
NS0263dw
1.96M

"Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, Task Force 77, Power Squadron's First Regatta, 21 January 1966"

Annotated copy:

  1. USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)
  2. USS Hancock (CVA-19)
  3. USS Ingraham (DD-694)
  4. USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864)
  5. USS Carpenter (DD-825)
  6. USS Ranger (CVA-61)
  7. USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747)
  8. USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), not shown
  9. USS Fletcher (DD-445)
  10. USS Hornet (CVS-12)
  11. USS Bache (DD-470)
  12. USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748)
  13. USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
  14. USS Brush (DD-745)
  15. USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
  16. USS Edson (DD-946)
  17. USS Topeka (CLG-8)
  18. USS John S. McCain (DL-3)
  19. USS England (DLG-22)

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # USN 1114861. (Annotation by NavSource.)

NH&HC
CVA-63 Kitty Hawk
NS0263dw1
386k
CVA-61 Ranger
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"On February 1, 1966, Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, my friend and shipmate, was shot down over Laos. Pictured here, his A-1 Skyraider, call sign Electron 504, on the flight deck of our carrier, USS Ranger, preparing for catapult launch. Dieter crash-landed in the dark heart of the jungle, and began his five-month, against-all-odds fight for survival. Read his incredible story in Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War." (Bruce Henderson.)

A-1J Skyraider, BuNo 142031 (modex NK504) Attack Squadron (VA) 145 "Swordsmen," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, USS Ranger (CVA-61). Shot down by ground fire near Ban Phathoung, Khammouane Province, Laos, 1 February 1966. Pilot, German-born LT(JG) Dieter Dengler, was captured by Pathet Lao and became POW. Escaped 8 days later, was recaptured, and escaped again. Rescued by USAF HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter on 20 July. He was awarded the Navy Cross and wrote Escape from Laos.

Via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026191
177k

ABE3 Clark David Franklin, U.S. Navy, 7 November 1942–24 April 1966. Alamogordo, NM.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Third Class Franklin died aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship was preparing to launch the first strike of the day against targets in South Vietnam when Franklin moved underneath an aircraft to help a crewman who was experiencing difficulty hooking the aircraft to a catapult. The catapult fired, and Franklin was killed instantly.

Franklin's death was originally ruled a training accident but was recently acknowledged as a death in a combat-related mission, qualifying Franklin for a spot on The Wall. His name was inscribed on The Wall on 5 May 2013, Panel 15E, Row 94.

Arturo Canales.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026149
198k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) maneuvers at high speed, sometime in the second half of the 1960s.

This photo is in Ranger's 1970–1971 Cruise Book.

John Slaughter, who was aboard Ranger, 1968–70, comments: "you can see what appears to be an AE in the background and a DD off to Ranger's port quarter. My guess is that Ranger had just unrepped and was heading back to take up station. In my two years aboard, both in deck division and later having to go on working parties during unreps, I do not remember us ever unrepping from an AE anywhere but while on Yankee Station."

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026105
44k Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, July 5, 1966. ©Richard Leonhardt.
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026140
42k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway, circa 1967, location unknown.

Robert Hurst
CVA-61 Ranger and AE-18 Paricutin
NS09051805
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Paricutin (AE-18) and Ranger (CVA-61) during underway replenishment, circa 1967-69.

US Navy photo.

Jack Dudenhoefer SM3 USN USS Paricutin
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ao
32k

A U.S. Navy Vought A-7A Corsair II (BuNo 153223, call sign "Jason") of Attack Squadron (VA) 147 "Argonauts," en route to North Vietnam in 1967–69. This aircraft was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) during two deployments to Vietnam, 4 November 1967–25 May 1968 and 26 October 1968–17 May 1969. Here it is armed with 227 kg (500lb) Mk 82 bombs and AIM-9D Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Photographed by LT Terry Anderson, USN, from a Grumman A-6A Intruder of VA-165 "Boomers."

Robert Hurst
CVA-43
NS0243ab
451k

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with A-4E Skyhawks from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" and VA-155 "Silver Foxes," moored to pier #3 South, U.S. Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, 22–26 July 1967. USS Hancock (CVA-19) is moored to pier #3 North, and USS Ranger to pier #2 North. Other ships present include: USS Bellatrix (AF-62) and USS Aludra (AF-55), moored port side and starboard side, respectively, to pier #2 South; and probably USNS Breton (T-AKV 42), astern of Coral Sea.

Courtesy of
William T. Larkins
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026162
491k

USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), passes under the Golden Gate Bridge, at 1110 on 4 November 1967, bound for WestPac and her third Vietnam cruise.

Visible on the flight deck are F-4B Phantom IIs of VF-21 "Freelancers" and VF-154 "Black Knights;" A-4C Skyhawks of VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks;" A‑7A Corsair IIs of VA-147 "Argonauts;" A-6A Intruders of VA-165 "Boomers;" a Skywarrior (aft); an RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-6 "Fleurs;" E-2A Hawkeyes of VAW-115 "Willy Dogs;" and a single UH-2C Sea Sprite helicopter of HC-1 Det. 61 "Pacific Fleet Angels."

Courtesy of
William T. Larkins
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026162a
178k
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026109
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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).

Scott Dyben
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026109a
101k

A split second later. Naval Aviation News, May 1968 issue.

This plane is an A-7A Corsair II, BuNo 153225, modex NE307, from Attack Squadron (VA) 147 "Argonauts," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. On 2 September 1968, while assigned to VA-86 "Sidewinders," BuNo 153225 accidentally crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin; pilot ejected and was rescued by helicopter.

Bob Harmeling
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026164
136k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) departs Puget Sound for San Francisco, 29 July 1968, following a shipyard availability.

David Buell
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026110
74k

Note on Ranger's Sixth Vietnam Cruise:

According to DANFS: "Ranger spent the rest of the summer engaged in operations off the west coast, departing for her sixth WestPac cruise 27 September [1970]. She returned to Alameda 7 June 1971".

According to a former Ranger sailor these dates are incorrect: "we left on Tuesday, October 27, 1970. The cruise book even has that date. [...] We left Japan on June 7, 1971 and arrived home on Thursday June 17, 1971".

Images at left show (top to bottom):

  • The 1970-71 Cruise Book, page 2.
  • "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons" (published by the Naval Historical DMA), Vol. 1, Appendix 3, page 529.
  • "United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995" (published by the Naval Aviation History Office), Appendix 26, page 713. [Contributed by Fabio Peña].

Ken Estes, webmaster of the USS Ranger Museum Foundation and USS Ranger CV-A 61
CVA-61 Ranger
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CVA-61 Ranger
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CVA-61 Ranger
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A Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II from VA-113 "Stingers" recovering aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), possibly in 1970–71.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026177
100k

Two photos of A-7E Corsair IIs attached to VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" deployed aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), during the carrier's 6th Vietnam cruise, 27 October 1970–17 June 1971.

The color photo may have been taken shortly before the deployment.

(Thanks to Scott L. Smith, "Fist of the Fleet" historian, for dating the pictures. More information about this deployment can be found at the Squadron history web site.)

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026178
90k
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026179
76k
USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, conducting UNREP operations with USS Mispillion (AO-105) in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Photos were developed in November 1970 and March 1971.
Submitted by Bruce A. Hevner,via Bob Canchola.


CVA-61 Ranger
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"The Lone Ranger"
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"The Lone Ranger"
CVA-61 Ranger
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CVA-61 Ranger
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CVA-61 Ranger
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USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, first half of 1971, during her 6th Vietnam cruise, 27 October 1970–17 June 1971.

Richard Albright, GMG3
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026100
81k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at sea, 19 May 1971.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026189
140k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) passing under the San Francisco Bay Bridge on her return to the States on 17 June 1971. This is from the 1970–71 Cruise Book.

John Slaughter,
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026166
785k

An aerial view of Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Calif., with three docked aircraft carriers: USS Ranger (CVA-61), in dry dock; USS Hancock (CVA-19), left; and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). The guided missile destroyer USS Buchanan (DDG-14) is on the right hand of the picture. Photo by LT A. Legare, 25 August 1971. Available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (photo #DN-SC-85-11135).

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261av
139k

USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, passes under the Golden Gate Bridge on Thursday, 16 November 1972, bound for WestPac and her seventh Vietnam cruise.

Visible on the flight deck are F-4J Phantom IIs of VF-154 "Black Knights" (1xx side numbers) and VF-21 "Free Lancers" (2xx); A‑7E Corsair IIs of VA‑113 "Stingers" (3xx) and VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" (4xx); A-6A/B and KA-6D Intruders of VA-145 "Swordsmen;" RA-5C Vigilantes of RVAH-5 "Savage Sons;" E-1B Tracers of VAW-111 "Hunters" Det. 1; SH-3G Sea King helicopters of HC-1 "Pacific Fleet Angels" Det. 4; and the COD aircraft, C‑1A Trader, BuNo 136786, side number 000, close to the ship's island.

Courtesy of
William T. Larkins

NS023467e
325k

A Vietnam cease-fire was announced on 23 January 1973 and came into effect on the 27th. The carriers USS Oriskany (CVA-34), USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS America (CVA-66) were on Yankee Station and cancelled all combat sorties.

On Sunday, 28 January 1973, all four carriers, along with a DD/DE screen, steamed together for a photo exercise. Visible in photos NS023467f and NS023467i is USS Cone (DD-866).

This is Ranger, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Bob Canchola, BT,
USS Oriskany,
1971–1973

NS023467f
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NS023467i
108k

NS023467j
101k

NS0261ar
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Another view of USS Ranger (CVA-61) on the same occasion as above. This photo was taken by RM3 Michael Corsi from USS Oriskany (CVA-34).

Michael Corsi, RM3,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS023467k
68k

Left to right: USS America (CVA-66), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS Ranger (CVA-61), with USS Oriskany (CVA-34) steaming astern of the Big E, and five destroyers and destroyer escorts in the lead. Vietnam cease-fire, Sunday, 28 January 1973.

Escorts are, left to right: USS Bronstein (DE-1037), USS Corry (DD-817), USS William C. Lawe (DD-763), USS Fanning (DE-1076), and USS Cone (DD‑866). (Photo and escorts id thanks to Enterprise WestPac 1972–73 Cruise Book, via Bob Canchola.)

USS Oriskany Alumni Facebook Group,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS023467o
2.11M

Zenithal view of the same group.

Via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS0265dsb
32k

Left to right: USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS America (CVA-66), as above.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261ac
135k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, summer 1973 [probably June 3–4], with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2.

Michael Cosgrove
Photos submitted by Bob Foster.
They show F-4J Phantom IIs from Fighter Squadrons (VF) 101 "Grim Reapers" and 121 "Pacemakers" during CarQuals in 1974.
Via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)


CVA-61 Ranger
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Note Knox-class destroyer escort in the center of the photo.
CVA-61 Ranger
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BuNo 155565 (NJ151).
  CVA-61 Ranger
NS0261bfe
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BuNos 153884 (AD116) and 155830 (AD102).
     
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026181
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A bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), equipped with part of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program system. Although the photo is dated 23 November 1981, Air Wing composition indicates it was actually taken circa 1974–75. Official photograph, available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, # DF-ST-83-02600.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026120
109k

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).

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

NHC
CVA-61 Ranger
NS0594511
78k

USS Hull (DD-945) steaming alongside USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the Pacific Ocean, 25 June 1975.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-109550).

Hull was conducting tests of the Mark 71 8"/55 Major Caliber Lightweight Gun. Note 8" gun mount forward, and compare its size with that of the two 5"/54 Mark 42 gun mounts aft.

Scott Dyben
CV-61 Ranger
NS026187
159k

An elevated port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego for deployment in the western Pacific, 30 January 1976. The ship is passing Pt. Loma.

U.S. Navy photograph by PHCS R.L. Lawson, available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, (# DN-SC-86-00157).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026104
167k

Underway at sea, circa 1978. This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in May 1978.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH-97688).

USN
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aj
123k

Aerial views of an RA-5C Vigilante aircraft (BuNo 156608, modex NE610, now on display as gate guard at NAS Memphis, TN), Reconnaissance Attack Squadron (RVAH) 7, known as the "Peacemakers of the Fleet," and assigned to USS Ranger (CV-61) from 21 February to 22 September 1979. These photographs may show the Vigilante's last flight, since all Vigilante aircraft were officially retired in September 1979 and RVAH-7 was officially disestablished in October 1979. The exact date photos were taken is unknown. Official US Navy photographs.

NS0261aj: Photo No. 330–CFD-DN-SC-04-09228 (OPA-NARA II).

NS0261aja: Photo No. 330-CFD-DN-SC-04-09229 (OPA-NARA II).

NS0261ajb: Photo No. 330-CFD-DN-SC-04-09230 (OPA-NARA II).

National Museum of the U.S. Navy
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aja
174k Robert Hurst
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261ajb
132k
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261ba
564k

Three U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II—BuNo 158349 (modex NE101), 158371 (NE105), and 158362 (NE111)—from Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights" in flight, circa 1979. VF-154 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 21 February to 22 September 1979.

USN photo from the Ranger 1979 Cruise Book.

Robert Hurst
CV-61 Ranger
NS026101
53k (Small Image) Underway, place unknown. Late 1970s-early 1980s. USN
CV-61 Ranger
NS026126
80k USS Ranger (CV-61) underway, circa 1979-1982. Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret)
CV-61 Ranger
NS026194
207k

Two A-6E and one KA-6D Intruders from Attack Squadron (VA) 145 "Swordsmen" lined up on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 3 June 1980. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07482).

Defense Media Activity Center (DMA)
CV-61 Ranger
NS026194a
180k

Vice Premier Geng Biao of China and U.S. Navy officials are seated on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as they wait for the start of the air and sea demonstration, 3 June 1980, in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07491).

CV-61 Ranger
NS026194b
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Aerial view of A-6E and KA-6D Intruders from VA-145 "Swordsmen" and an EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-137 "Rooks" lined up on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61) in the Eastern Pacific, 3 June 1980. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07502).

CV-61 Ranger
140981508
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Neodesha (YTB-815) assisting USS Ranger (CV-61) out of her berth at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI, in September 1980.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.064.042.

Mike Green
CV-61 Ranger
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(.PDF)

The Welcome Aboard book that Reith received in I Division in 1981, when he checked in to the command.

HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
NS026125
39k

A vertical view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 15 June 1981. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DNSN8506135).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026133
125k

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).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026134
77k

Aerial starboard bow view of part of Task Group 70 underway in the Philippine Sea, May 1982, during Exercise Readex '82. Ships are, left to right: a Knox-class frigate; the combat stores ship USS San Jose (AFS-7), see photo NS024159; the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61); a Spruance-class destroyer; the guided missile destroyer USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16), see photo NS024159; a Mispillion-class "jumboized" fleet oiler, possibly USNS Mispillion (T-AO-105) herself; the command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19); the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41); a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, possibly USS Reeves (CG-24); a Spruance-class destroyer; and a Knox-class frigate. US Navy photo by PH1 Barbante (DVIC id: DN-ST-82-07480).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026135
192k

Eleven photos of USS Ranger (CV-61) while on her 1982 WestPac-Indian Ocean deployment, 7 April–18 October. Scanned from the 1983 Command calendar (original size is 8" x 11").

Crew members form the words "Top Gun 25" on the flight deck of Ranger, underway in the Pacific Ocean, August 1982, to commemorate the carrier's 25th Anniversary. "Top Gun" was Ranger's nickname.

HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
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Launching an A-6E Intruder (squadron VA-145 "Swordsmen"). Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), tail code "NE."

CV-61 Ranger
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Launching an A-7E Corsair II (squadron VA-113 "Stingers").

CV-61 Ranger
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Launching an E-2C Hawkeye (squadron VAW-116 "Sun Kings").

CV-61 Ranger
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Preparing to launch the ship's COD (Carrier On-board Delivery) plane.

CV-61 Ranger
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Fly-by.

CV-61 Ranger
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FOD (Foreign Object Damage) walkdown.

HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
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Pearl Harbor.

CV-61 Ranger
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Underway.

CV-61 Ranger
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Underway replenishment.

CV-61 Ranger
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Replenishing a Knox-class frigate.

CV-61 Ranger
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25th Anniversary Program, August 10, 1982.

Robert M. Cieri
CV-61 Ranger
NS026138b
4.87M
(.PDF)

25th Anniversary, USS Ranger (CV-61), 10 August 1957–10 August 1982.

HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
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112k

Silver Anniversary Plaque, USS Ranger (CV-61), 10 August 1957–10 August 1982.

HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
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114k

Vice President George Bush and VADM Crawford Easterling visit the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) during a tour of the ship, May 14, 1983. Photo by PHC T. Mitchell, available from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, id.: DN-SN-83-10202.

Bill Gonyo
CV-61 Ranger
NS026113
74k

On November 1, 1983, a major fuel and oil fire broke out in an engine room while the ship operated in the North Arabian Sea. Six crewmembers were killed and 35 injured. The fire was reportedly extinguished within an hour and the ship continued operations.

Carlos C. Castellanos
CV-61 Ranger
NS026127
117k USS Ranger (CV-61) with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), 1983-1984. Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret)
CV-61 Ranger
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164k

An aerial view of Ford Island, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) moored at the Navy Supply Center, June 1986, during Exercise RimPac '86. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is at the opposite side of Ford Island.

US Defense Imagery (DMA) photo, id. DN-SN-87-04110.

DMA
CV-64 + CV-63 + CV-61
NS0264br
403k

An aerial view of USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) departing for WestPac and World Cruise with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard, and USS Ranger (CV-61), 3 January 1987, Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Calif.

US Navy photo by PH3 Charlo Wharton, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # DN-SC-87-11532.

NARA, via Yu Chu
CV-61 Ranger
NS0602108306
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USS Cook (FF-1083) and USS Ranger (CV-61) underway, January 1987. Airborne is a H-3 Sea King helicopter.

U.S. Navy photo (DVIC id.: #DN-SC-05-06694).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026121
101k

USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego, California, in February 1987. Photographed by PH3 Wimmer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97689-KN).

NHC
CV-61 Ranger
NS072327
135k

Crew members form the phrase "We The People" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), May 1987, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the constitution of the United States. The Constitution was formally signed on 17 September 1787. The guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), bottom, and the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) were accompanying Ranger.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Ron Wimmer (DVIC id.: #DNSC8706761).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026161
123k

North Island, San Diego, Calif., 4 July 1987.

Photos by Steve Whitby
CV-61 Ranger
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CV-61 Ranger
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CV-61 Ranger
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CV-61 Ranger
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CV-61 Ranger
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North Island, San Diego, Calif., 4 July 1987.

Photos by Steve Whitby
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USNS Hassayampa (T-AO-145) refueling USS Shasta (AE-33) to starboard and USS Ranger (CV-61) to port. From Ranger's 1987 Cruise Book (14 July–30 December).

John Slaughter,
CV-61 Ranger
NS026153
188k

Crew members spell out "Ranger Thanks America" on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61) to thank all the people who sent letters and cards to the ship. The mail was the result of a letter which appeared in the newspaper column "Dear Abby."

Official U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Wimmer. It is dated 1 December 1988, but may have been actually taken about a year earlier.

David Buell
CV-61 Ranger
NS026182
57k

View from the co-pilot's seat in a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye as it makes its final approach for a landing on board the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61)[, late 1980s–early 1990s]. From this viewpoint the angled deck looks far too short and narrow for such a large aircraft to land in. U.S. DoD Photo.

Photo and text from Carriers: The Men and The Machines, by David Miller and Lindsay Peacock.

Robert Hurst
CV-61, CV-62, CV-64
NS0261bi
586k

Left to right: USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Independence (CV-62), Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, San Diego, California, circa 1989 (late 1988–early 1990).

Museum of Military History, Kissimmee, FL
CV-61 Ranger
NS026188
333k

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber flies by USS Ranger (CV-61), below the carrier's flight-deck level.

This is usually said to have happened in the Persian Gulf, in early 1990, but this is incorrect—Ranger was not in the Persian Gulf "in early 1990." This actually occurred in February 1989 off the coast of Mexico, while Ranger was conducting training for an upcoming WestPac-Indian Ocean deployment (24 February–24 August 1989). By the way, Ranger's next deployment began on 8 December 1990—undisputably, not "early 1990."

Jon W. Godwin (GySgt USMC Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
NS026188a
29k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026122
430k

Crewmembers man the rails by the carrier's island, as she departs Naval Air Station, North Island, California, on 24 February 1989 to begin a western Pacific deployment. Photographed by PH1 Michael D.P. Flynn.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97691.

NH&HC
CV-61 Ranger
NS026123
120k

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).

NHC
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981505
2.27M

An aerial port side view of Ranger (CV-61), with her Sailors manning the rails and aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) on her deck, as she is nudged into position by harbor tugs Waxahachie (YTB-814), Niantic (YTB-781) and Neodesha (YTB-815), at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI. Official date is 8 March 1993, but this cannot be correct. Judging from Ranger's appearance and Air Wing composition, this photo would have been taken in March 1989, like the picture above. US Navy photo by PH3 Bos (DVIC id: DN-SC-05-10867).

(See the Waxahachie and Niantic pages for more photos.)

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS026130
94k

USS Ranger (CVA-61) was commissioned at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Aug. 10, 1957, CAPT Charles D. Booth II, in command. Here, three Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) SH-3H Sea King helicopters fly in formation past Ranger (then CV-61) as the ship leaves San Diego to begin her WestPac '90 (Gulf War) cruise, Dec. 8, 1990.

US Navy photo by PH2 Henry (available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-SC-93-05041).

Alex Tatchin
CV-61 Ranger
NS026163
154k

A port bow view of USS Ranger (CV-61) being replenished by the fleet oiler USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) in the Pacific Ocean, 19 July 1990.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Bos (#DN-SC-93-05043).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS091914608
81k

An overhead view of the fleet oiler USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) conducting an underway replenishment of USS Ranger (CV-61) in the Pacific Ocean, 19 July 1990.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Bos (#DN-SC-93-05045).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261ax
560k

USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego harbor to conduct training operations off Southern California, 26 July 1990. Embarked was Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. U.S. Navy photo by Bob Lawson.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), identifier 6493098, local identifier 330-CFD-DN-SC-96-00141.jpeg.

NARA,
via Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CV-61 Ranger
NS075432
105k

A port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as the vessel heads out of San Diego Channel en route to the Pacific Ocean to take part in anti-submarine warfare exercises with USS Ford (FFG-54). The guided missile frigate is astern of Ranger in the channel. Photo is dated 17 March 1991, but on that date Ranger was engaged in operations in support of Operation Desert Storm.

U.S. Navy photo by PHAN Rich (DVIC id.: #DNSC9400475).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192
121k

All four of the carriers sailing in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm—Battle Force Zulu—briefly steamed together in formation on 2 March 1991, after the cease-fire. USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) leads USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55)—starboard flank—, USS Midway (CV-41), USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Normandy (CG-60)—port flank—, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)—starboard—and USS America (CV-66).

NS026192a: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-SC-91-06734.

NS026192b: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-ST-91-07574.

NS026192c: Photo by PHC Kris Kristofferson. Photo # DN-ST-91-07845.

NS026192d: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-ST-92-01394.

NS026192e: Photo from the America 1990–1991 Cruise Book, author unknown. Clockwise from top left: Midway, Theodore Roosevelt, America and Ranger.

Bob Haner
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192a
133k National Archives
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192b
237k
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192c
182k
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192d
240k
Battle Force Zulu: CV-41, CV-61, CV-66, CVN-71
NS026192e
315k Robert Hurst
CV-61 et al.
NS0261bj
534k

Aerial view of the oiler USNS Passumpsic (T-AO 107) conducting an underway replenishment of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) and the French destroyer (designated a frégate by the Frech Navy) Latouche-Tréville (D-646) during Operation Desert Storm, 3 April 1991, in the Persian Gulf.

US Navy photo by PH2 Henry (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-05052).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

CV-61 Ranger
NS140980603
1542k

On her way back home after Operation Desert Storm USS Ranger (CV-61) stopped off at Pearl Harbor. This photo sequence shows the aircraft carrier departing Pearl on 1 June 1991—she arrived in San Diego, her homeport, 8 June.

NS140980603: Tuskegee (YTB-806) and Niantic (YTB-781) assist Ranger (photo #DN-SC-93-04704, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981408: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) assist Ranger (photo #DN-SC-93-04705, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981407: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger after clearing the Naval Supply Center pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04708, by PH3 Bos).

NS140980604: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger around the north end of Ford Island (photo #DN-SC-93-04702, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981405: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger in East Loch, rounding the north tip of Ford Island, with the condo hi-rises in Aiea in the background, on a normal track to leave Pearl Harbor (photo #DN-SC-93-04712, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981409: Waxahachie (YTB-814) escorts Ranger down the north channel (photo #DN-SC-93-04703, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981406: Waxahachie (YTB-814) escorts Ranger as she proceeds past Pearl City Peninsula (photo #DN-SC-93-04709, by PH3 Bos).

NS026157: Ranger is turning to port (more or less south) continuing to round Ford Island after passing Pearl City Peninsula on the left. The U.S. Army Transportation Corps pier is on the right, and the Army's vehicle landing ship CM3 Harold C. Clinger (LSV-2) is moored to the pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04710, by PH3 Bos).

NS140980602: Tuskegee (YTB-806) escorts Ranger down the north channel. The Army's vehicle landing ship CM3 Harold C. Clinger (LSV-2) can be seen on the left, moored to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04711, by PH3 Bos).

NS026157a: Ranger proceeds more or less south between the Waipio Peninsula (foliage in the background) and the far west side of Ford Island, on track to leave Pearl Harbor (photo #DN-SC-92-03668, by OS2 John Bouvia).

NS026157b: Crew members man the rails aboard Ranger as the aircraft carrier departs Pearl Harbor through the channel (photo #DN-SC-92-03669, by OS2 John Bouvia).

(Thanks to John F. Power for his help in identifying the photos.)

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981408
1252k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981407
1318k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140980604
1552k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981405
1420k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981409
1506k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140981406
1242k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026157
125k
CV-61 Ranger
NS140980602
1667k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026157a
131k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026157b
136k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026145
157k

Crew members man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as commercial harbor tug Cheryl Anne maneuvers the vessel into port. Ranger was returning to Naval Station, North Island after being deployed in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm. San Diego, California, June 8, 1991.

US Navy photo by PH1 Paul Shaw (available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-ST-92-00354.)

Bill Gonyo
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261au
729k

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" takes off from the deck of USS Ranger (CV-61). It and another B-25 were being launched in a re-enactment of "Doolittle's Raid" of 18 April 1942, during which 16 B-25s were launched from USS Hornet (CV-8) in the first attack on the Japanese mainland.

US Navy photo by PHCM Terry Mitchell (DVIC id: DN-ST-92-09801).

Bob Haner, YN1, USN (Ret.)
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aua
1.03M

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" and "In The Mood" stand ready on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1(AC) Carmen Yebba (DVIC id: DN-ST-92-09800).

CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aub
618k

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" takes off as "In The Mood," another B-25, stands in the background on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00054).

CV-61 Ranger
NS0261auc
722k

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "In The Mood" takes off from the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00055).

CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aud
427k

Fifty years after the daring carrier-launched bombing of the Japanese mainland, a B-25 Mitchell is launched from USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992, in the Pacific Ocean.

US Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Joe Gawlowicz, # 920421-N-NO147-001.

CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aue
922k

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" and "In The Mood" stand ready on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00053).

CV-61 Ranger
NS026195
153k

Arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 3 June 1992.

Photos by Rick Garcia.

Chris Howell,
Port of Bluff,
New Zealand
CV-61 Ranger
NS026195a
245k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026103
75k

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).

USN
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261az
74k

Large harbor tugs maneuver USS Ranger (CV-61) into port on 18 August 1992 as the ship visits Japan for the last time during her final deployment prior to decommissioning.

US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Steven Cooke (SDAN: DN-SC-93-05587b).

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261bg
334k

A port beam view of the aircraft carriers USS Ranger (CV-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and USS Independence (CV-62), with CVW-5, underway in the Persian Gulf, 16 September 1992, during Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq.

US Navy photo by PH2 Andrew C. Heuer (SDAN: DN-ST-93-00101).

Robert M. Cieri
CV-61 Ranger
NS026170
101k

"Ranger's Last Ride," 31 January 1993. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Wolfgang Hechler
Ex-USS Ranger
Ex-CV-61 Ranger
NS026102
26k Undated, stern view. Note yellow-painted drop line light bar up the stern and down the centerline of the landing area, to help pilots line up for final approach. USN
Ex-CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aq
341k

An aerial view of the decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) in a graving dock at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 6 October 1993. Moored in the background are the amphibious assault ships USS Essex (LHD-2), left, and USS Tarawa (LHA-1), right. Ex-Ranger was being stripped of useful material, sealed and prepped for being towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Inactive Storage Facility for retention in reserve status.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service VIRIN DN-ST-94-00735, by PH2 R.J. Davis.

William Stevens, USN (Ret.)
Ex-CV-61 Ranger
NS026142
47k Bremerton, WA, 1994. Stephen Renouard
Ex-CV 61 Ranger
NS026150
90k

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) moored at Bremerton, Washington, on 28 August 1998. In the background is ex-USS Midway (CV-41). The photograph was taken from the stern of USS California (CGN-36), which was being formally deactivated.

From Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner.

Submitted by Robert Hurst.
Ex-CV-61 Ranger
NS026128
78k Bremerton, September 2004. NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command) web site
CV-61 Ranger
NS026146
34k

Bremerton, Wash., 2006. Four aircraft carriers (left to right): USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) and ex-USS Independence (CV-62). Also visible in this photo are a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, a Knox-class frigate and the fast combat support ships ex-USS Sacramento (AOE-1) and ex-USS Camden (AOE-2).

Jack Treutle

NS026245
40k

Bremerton, Wash., 2006. Four aircraft carriers (front to back, photo NS026245; left to right, photo NS026245a): ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Also visible in these photos are two Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, a Knox-class frigate and the fast combat support ships ex-USS Sacramento (AOE-1) and ex-USS Camden (AOE-2).


NS026245a
51k

NS026154
137k

Puget Sound, Tuesday, 8 July 2008.

David Nilsen

NS026159
55k

A series of five photos taken on Friday, 17 October 2008.

Photos by Bill Ellis.

Submitted by Scott Roche
(USS Ranger '87–89;
USS Independence '89–91).

NS026159a
40k

NS026159b
57k

NS026159c
48k

NS026159d
41k

NS0867114
122k

February 2009. Ex-Narwhal (SSN-671) and ex-Drum (SSN-677), foreground; superstructure of a former Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser; ex-Constellation (CV-64), left, and ex-Independence, right, beyond ex-Ranger.

Scott Roche, (USS Ranger '87–89; USS Independence '89–91).

NS0261ak
110k

Aerial view of Bremerton, WA, 10 March 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Sides (FFG-14), ex-George Philip (FFG-12), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49).

Ron Reeves.

NS026190
96k

June 2009. Ex-Vincennes (CG-49) and ex-Ranger (CV-61).

Photos by Mike Sweet, via Scott Roche (USS Ranger '87–89; USS Independence '89–91).

NS026190a
77k

June 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49).


NS026190b
121k

June 2009. Ex-Vincennes (CG-49), foreground, and ex-Ranger (CV-61), background. Masts of ex-Sides (FFG-14) and ex-George Philip (FFG-12) can be seen at left, beyond Ranger.


NS026190c
97k

June 2009.

Photos by Scott Roche (USS Ranger '87–89; USS Independence '89–91).

NS026190d
76k

June 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49). If you look closely, you will notice the bows of ex-Sides (FFG-14) and ex-George Philip (FFG-12) between Constellation and Ranger.


NS026190e
137k

June 2009.


NS026190f
80k

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), June 2009. Note stern of ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) at left.


NS026180
207k

Series of screen shots from Google Maps pieced together by John Slaughter. Left to right: ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), and ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), Bremerton, WA, circa 2010.

John comments: «Indy and Connie are showing signs of weathering. They are both in the early stages of being readied for scrapping. Kitty Hawk is still listed as in reserve. I guess that's in case something disastrous happened to one of the active carriers. Ranger's flight deck is covered with something like a rubber coating about 3" thick to protect it. This is because of the efforts going on to save her as a museum. Less maintenance. I measured Kitty Hawk's flight deck in the picture and then, using that as a scale, I measured the gap between her and Indy. Their flight decks, by my rough estimate, are less than 10' apart.»

John Slaughter, .

NS026196
138k

The decommissioned Forrestal-class aircraft carrier ex-Ranger (CV-61) is towed away from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, 5 March 2015. She is being towed to Brownsville, Texas, for dismantling.

NS026196: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Frost (# 150305-N-IK337-082).

NS026196a: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Holly L. Herline (# 150305-N-KR207-029).

NS026196jNS026196k: Photos by Ray F. Longaker, Jr.

Bob Haner, YN1, USN (Ret.),
USS John F. Kennedy.

NS026196a
126k

NS026196b
118k Tom Armstrong,
USS Constellation, 1968–69.

NS026196c
132k

NS026196d
163k

NS026196e
144k

NS026196f
123k

NS026196g
151k

NS026196h
134k

NS026196i
98k

NS026196j
95k Ray F. Longaker, Jr.

NS026196k
52k

NS0261aad
94k

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) enters the Brazos Santiago towed by Crosby Leader and makes the turn into the Brownsville Ship Channel, 12 July 2015. End of her final voyage on her way to be scrapped.

Philip Smith.

NS0261aae
82k

NS0261aaf
94k

NS0261aag
114k

NS0261aa
63k

The decommissioned Forrestal-class aircraft carrier ex-Ranger (CV-61) arrives in Brownsville, Texas, for dismantling, 12 July 2015.

Photo NS0261aaa shows ex-Ranger and what is left of ex-Saratoga. Vern Bouwman, however, notes: "The ship in the back ground is an Oiler. The Saratoga is to the right, across the channel."

Larry Schmuhl, Vice President for USS Ranger Reunion Association, Inc., via Bob Haner, YN1, USN (Ret.), USS John F. Kennedy.

NS0261aaa
93k

NS0261aab
101k

NS0261aac
93k
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261ai
173k

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) is at right. Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

Google Earth via Craig Busack
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aia
158k

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aib
185k

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Top left, partly visible, ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60); center, ex-USS Ranger (CV-61); center right, ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Taken approximately at the same time as the photos above.

Courtesy of International Shipbreaking Limited, LLC
xCV-60, xCV-61, xCV-64
NS026000
166k

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right, and top to bottom: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV‑61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 29 January 2017.

William comments:

"No significant progress on ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60) on north side of channel. Work appears to have stopped some months ago."

"The entire flight deck of ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) has been removed, left (west) south side of the shipping channel."

"Scrapping of ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) appears just about complete. Less than 1/2 of the hull appears to remain and the hulk is being winched in to the south shore in the demolition slip as it is scrapped from fore to aft. It should be completely gone by the next Google Earth photo and I expect that the CV-61 hulk will be moved to the slip trench to complete the scrapping."

Google Earth image via William Stevens (USN, Ret.)
Models
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160
316k

A great model of USS Ranger (CV-61) built by Kenneth Shafer, AT1, USN (Ret.), who retired off Ranger on 30 November 1989. Kenneth plans to eventually build one aircraft from each squadron in Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) that was aboard Ranger during Kenneth's last cruise in 1989.

Photos by Kenneth Shafer, via Ron Reeves
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160a
225k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160b
139k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160c
291k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160d
308k
CV-61 Ranger
NS026160e
261k
Patches & Memorabilia
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106
Contributed by Mike Smolinski
50Kb
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026151
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
189Kb
CVA-61 Ranger
NS026106g
Vietnam War-era patch
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
163Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026107
Contributed by Mike Smolinski
45Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026108
Contributed by Mike Smolinski
48Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026131
Contributed by Joe Radigan
8Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026141
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
172Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026141a
Contributed by HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
496Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026141b
Contributed by HTC Reith D. Walls II (Ret.)
810Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106d
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
80Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106a
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
194Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026148
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
121Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026148a
"Team Spirit '87, USS Ranger, CV-61"
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
134Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026152
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
153Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106e
USS Ranger Carrier Airwing Two — Operation Desert Storm — Persian Gulf
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
152Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106h
1991 Desert Storm Combat Cruise, CVW-2 CV-61, USS Ranger
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
136Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106f
USS Ranger, The End of an Era, WestPac I.O., 8 Dec. 1990–8 June 1991
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
44Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106b
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
200Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106i
CVSM (Carrier Air Wing Squadron Maintenance)
Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
711Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS026106c
CVW-2, 1967–1982 & 1986–1993
Contributed by Tommy Trampp
50Kb
CV-61 Ranger
NS0261aw
"I recently [2019] acquired a piece of the Ranger's flight deck; this piece was from the armor plating."
Contributed by Austin Oliver
879Kb

For more information about this ship, see:

Read the
USS RANGER (CVA-61 / CV-61) DANFS History
Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Contact:  
Address:  
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E-mail:  
Web site:
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages by Andrew Toppan
USS Ranger CV-61 Memorial Website
USS Ranger CV/A 61 by John R. Guy
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Last update: 8 March 2024