Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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Fortunately, the situation eased somewhat, and it was possible to initiate a visit to Hong Kong over the holidays-it Wasnat home, but it Wasn't Okinawa, either ! Immediately after this brief visit, however, the carrier headed back to her old station in the South China Sea. Shortly thereafter Lex was ordered north toward japan, but the crisis took another of its sudden turns for the worse, and the ship hurried back to station once more. World attention was focused. on this area of the world, and on our protective Seventh Fleet ! fet squadrons had become operational in the Fleet durz'ng the 195019. The high performance aircraji' demanded changes z'n the Essex-class carriers that had been built for the prop-driven air- craft of World War IL Lexington and a number of other ships were modzfed for jet operations, with the British- developed angled flight deck, steam cat- apults and the mirror landz'ng system installed Here a Fury just prior to launch. - 80

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Another cycle commenced again january 13, 1960, when the ship arrived once more at Brem- erton, Washington for shipyard overhaul. This period was completed in the spring and she then returned to home port for training operations. With summer came a Midshipman Cruise- an interesting first experience for many of the crew. They reportedly found the future officers eager to learn all phases of the flattop's operations, and were friendly and cooperative to an extent the cruise was a productive and enjoyable one for all hands. It was during this period Uuly 8j that Captain Strong relieved Captain Ruehlow as commanding officer. A veteran unit of earlier Lex cruises, Air Group 21 also embarked over the summer, and their personnel assisted in hosting an open housen September 11-12 for 18,000 visitors. The next six weeks were devoted to sharpening the skills of ship 's company and the Air Group. Lexington crews had led a Hcharmed life since recommissioning, in that they had not been engaged in an overseas deployment over the Christmas-New Year,s holidays. 1960 broke the string, however, for on October 29 the ship set out for Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Fleet. Operations during the early part of the cruise were generally what had taken place on previous deployments, including the usual Southeast Asia crisis. Asthe ship 's cruise book relates, 'cShortly after the cruise started, we were called upon to take station off the coast of Vietnam to be in a position to aid the government of Laos .... Com- munists were pushing from the north into fLaosj. Lexington, a veteran ofthe Pacwc Wan proudh led the First Fleet into San Francisco in September of 1960. Midway is about to follow Lexington under the Bay Bridge as a new guided rnissile cruiser heads for her own berth. 79 7131. ' T ' f,L.li...'.1 .f,:Q.

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