Independence (CVA 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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'5 'f During October 1962, Presi- dent John F. Kennedy sent an armada of ships to block Rus- sia's attempt to establish mis- sile sites in the western hemi- sphere. Independence played a significant role in this history making Cuban crises and proved herself ready on arrival. From Nlay until December 1965, Independence operated in the South China Sea as the Flag Ship of Commander Attack Carrier Striking Forces. CVA-62 launched the first successful coordinated strike against a surface-to-air missile site, and more than 8,000 combat strikes against the Viet Cong in both North and South Vietnam. More than 10,000 landings were recorded during CVA-62's seven months as a member of the Seventh Fleet. Her air-wing, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, com- piled an extensive combat rec- ord. Independence returned to Norfolk in December 1965, after steaming over 68,000 miles- nearly twice the distance of a normal Mediterranean deploy- ment-and operating in three oceans: the Atlantic, Pacfic and Indian.

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The Sovret ship Kasnmov at sea with 15 IL-28's on board. Her crates were voluntarily opened for U.S. air inspection,

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Independence entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Ports' mouth, Virginia in February of 1967. She remained in the yards 10 months for her first major overhaul and dry-dock period. On the night of 27 Nlarch 1968 Capt R J. Charrier, USAF and LTJG K. Corson, USN scored the 100,000th arrested landing on Independence. April 3Oth 1968 she departed Norfolk for her sixth lVlediter- rean deployment. During this period she participated in the Sixth Fleet's 20th Anniversary exercises in a vast display of power for peace.