Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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Ronald Reagan. It turned out to be a watershed moment in the carrier's illustrious history. Reagan presented a Presidential Flag to the ship and pro- claimed Constellation as America 's Flagship - a new shipls motto which is used to this day. In 1982, Constellation returned to the yards, this time in Bremerton, Wash. Naval aviation had under- gone vast changes since 1961, and when Connie came out of the yards in 1984 two weeks early and under budget, it was completely modernized. One facet of the shipis upgrade was the ability to carry the Navy's newest strike fighter, the FIA-18 Hornet. She was also fitted with the new PHALANX radar-guided gatling gun, two new flush deck catapults and the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System. Above: TT Newly commissioned Constellation steams under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Harbor in 1961. Below: During WestPac 1987, Constellation once again found itself in the spotlight, this time providing vital air cover for the escort of U.S. flagged oil tankers through the Arabian Gulf. In February 1990, Con- stellation left San Diego, return- ing to the East Coast for a three- year overhaul. The S800-million Service Life Extension Program CSLEPJ, completed in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in March 1993, added an estimated 15 years to the carrier's operational life. The overhaul saw upgrades to virtually every system on the ship. For almost 200 years, Constellation has traveled the worlds oceans representing Americais interests. Whether it was from the cannons of the Yankee Racehorsei' or from the aircraft of Americas Flagship, i' Constellation has always been first to answer our nation's call. And just as thousands of Sailors have done before, today's Sailors will continue to protect freedom around the globe and add to Constellation's stellar history. Let friend and foe alike know that America has the muscle to back up its words, and shqzs like this and men like you are that muscle you are America's Flagship. - President Ronald Reagan to the crew of Constellation of the coast of Caldornia, August 20, 1981. I Today Connie is a superior warship as it was when it first commissioned nearly 40 years ago. Although it's been through major changes over the years, reconstruction has made it compatible for the future. The one thing that has never changed is the pride and the professionalism of Connieis crew. . C' 7

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gli. .I 1 5? . x.- 3 'E 2-.-1' wx 1 6 , -. --V 'Qu-Irv-f ' ' - . - -1-.wwf-xv-vvkv-fy-4-vw' , Y,--4 - .M - f-Jai . 3, -27275--Lic. U I H .f ,f If :I .X ,A ,L X R, . f kr' vm 2 1 2 1 fa! if ffm fi? ., -7 7' f e f 4 F 'i N .gf few 1'5 . .- J' J 1 ,ff Q 'cr V ,I dj if yi X IFJ Qi,-171 M' U , J v 7 , , My V, ff if strikes against North Vietnamese vessels and bases. Over the next eight years, Constellation would return to the South China Sea for a total of seven combat cruises, conducting air strikes against heavily fortified North Vietnamese positions, engaging naval targets and shooting down enemy aircraft. In 1968 President Lyndon Johnson made a sur- prise visit prior to Connie's fourth deployment to the Western Pacific CWestPacJ. In November, Connie pilots flew the last strike missions into North Vietnam prior to a bombing halt declaration. In May 1972, LT Randy Cunning- ham and LTJ G Willie Driscoll of Fighter Attack Squadron 96 became America's first fighter aces of the Vietnam War by downing three MIGS during vicious dog fighting over North4Vietnam. The extra- .if ordinary effort brought their total to five if enemy aircraft in four months. For her actions in Southeast Asia, Constellation was awarded the Presi- dential Unit Citation by President Richard Nixon. I In 1975 Connie was redesignated CV from CVA following a complex overhaul to the flight deck, enabling her to deploy with the S-3A Viking Canti- submarinel and F-14 Tomcat Cfighterl aircraft. I A newly refurbished Connie began her 10th deployment in April 1977, which ' if ' - ' L5 f rb7-is-nf,--J' -.-P Y - . - .11 ' w..,M,..u.m--..,..,. ,., 1 .1 Above: Constellation's Commanding Officer T.J. Walker stands by anxiously as Mrs. Christian A. Herter christens the Connie on October 27th, 1961. ' Below: After being commissioned, on October 27 th 1961 the Connie prepares to set sail for its new homeport of Naval Air Station CNASJ North Island San Diego, CA.. included the first port call by a U.S. carrier to Pattaya, Thailand. In September 1978, Connie sailed west once again on her 11th overseas deployment. The ship was extended on station in the Arabian Gulf because of the Iranian hostage crisis. Her service earned her the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. While on her 12th deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, Constellation set a new endurance record for that time by remaining on station for 110 consecutive days. In the summer of 1981, Connie hosted President up i..,.,,,W,,MW X .-afaH'v,'wv-ffm 4l..'1., 112611 7' ,KM 1+ .......-1--, N

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