Exercise "Rugby Match", a major Atlantic Fleet exercise involving approximately eighty ships was held in the AFWR from 7–29 March. Lewis R. Newby and Lt. Cmdr. America departed Norfolk on 8 December 1982, proceeded to the Virginia Capes operating area and embarked CVW-1, and set out across the Atlantic. Returning to the 6th Fleet on 29 August, America transited the Suez Canal on 2 September bound for Naples. USS America was the 3rd member of the Kitty Hawk Class of conventionally powered Supercarriers and served with the US Navy from 1965 to 1996. As the international community geared toward possible military action against Iraq, America and CVW-1 rushed toward a much accelerated deployment schedule. The Libyan government serving notice that any ship or aircraft operating south of the 32-30 north latitude would be violating its territory, America's battle group maintained an alert, in view of the proximity of Libyan airfields and Soviet-made aircraft operating therefrom. After being prepared for a SINKEX operation, on April 19th, 2005, the ex- USS America was towed hundreds of miles off the Virginia coast. Returning to Norfolk soon afterwards, the carrier remained in the Norfolk area, alternating periods of time in port with type-training and exercises off the Virginia Capes. A little over a month later, America sailed for the North Sea, to participate in a NATO exercise, "Northern Merger", departing Norfolk on 6 September. On 18 June, the carrier departed that port for her second stint on "Gonzo Station". There, on 9 December, she was relieved on station by John F. Kennedy. California sped to the island and located an individual stranded on Pierre Island, he had been on a treasure-hunting expedition bound from Sri Lanka to Mauritius. On 2 August 1990, the day America departed the Norfolk Naval Shipyard following a four-month Selected Restricted Availability, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Under the command of Rear Admiral Dick H. Guinn, Task Force 65, with America as flagship, sailed eastward to stand by for evacuation, should that step be necessary. She had accomplished this without a single combat loss and only one major landing accident with fortunately, no fatalities. During one period of local operations, between 21–23 November 1969, America took part in carrier suitability tests for the Lockheed U-2R reconnaissance plane. Ultimately departing Rota on 12 September 1979 to conduct a blue water turnover with Nimitz, America encountered her second pair of "Bears". One hundred hours later, Kuwait was successfully liberated and a cease-fire was ordered. She also served in the Persian Gulf War's operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She completed turnover proceedings at Rota on 10–11 September 1979, and got underway immediately to commence the homeward voyage. Following post-deployment stand down, America conducted carrier qualifications off the Virginia Capes, and then entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for an availability. Strikes of up to five hours into Iraq against bridges, mobile Scud sites, oil production facilities and Iraqi Republican Guard units continued for three weeks, when the focus of the air war changed. 24 were here. Lt. Musselman's widow requested that these remains be consigned to the last ship he had served in and buried thence. On 5 June, seven American newsmen from the wire services, the three major American television networks and several individual newspapers across the country flew on board. Goodbye old girl. She then conducted two periods of type training (6–20 February and 25 March – 8 April), interspersing these with an in-port period at Ft. Lauderdale from 21–24 February and then calling at St. Thomas upon conclusion of the second period of training. Arriving back at Norfolk on 16 December, America moored in Norfolk, for post-deployment stand down before unloading ammunition in preparation for availability at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Throughout the exercise Soviet surface units, as well as "Bear" and Tu-16 'Badger' aircraft, conducted surveillance missions over and near the NATO force. On 20 February, America's VS-32 became the first S-3 squadron to engage, bomb and destroy a hostile vessel–an Iraqi gunboat. Upon the conclusion of Dawn Patrol, the carrier paid another visit to Athens, proceeding thence on 19 May for a four-day period of exercises, after which time she steamed to Istanbul, arriving there on 23 May. In the next day's darkness, CVW-1 flew its first night strike of the war against an oil production facility. America moored at Norfolk on 20 September and entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 6 October. In the meantime, however, in the wake of the strikes designed to let Col. Qaddafi know that the United States had not only the desire but the capability to respond effectively to terrorism, intelligence information indicated that Qaddafi intended to retaliate.[1]. The carrier's crew lined every topside vantage point, silent, watching the helicopters bring 50 wounded and nine dead from Liberty to America. Subsequently, on 28 February, America and her consorts conducted a "Weapons Week" exercise in the vicinity of Diego Garcia. Soon after America's fire party arrived on the scene to isolate the fire, smoke began filling the areas adjacent to the crew berthing areas, so Capt. After a four-day ammunition onload at anchorage X-ray in Hampton Bay and a brief stay at Norfolk, America departed for a month-long cruise to the Caribbean for the naval technical proficiency inspection (NTPI), refresher training with the Fleet Training Group, Guantanamo Bay, and type training in the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range (AFWR) before she could proceed to the Jacksonville Operating area for carrier qualifications. An investigation into the Class A mishap revealed that faulty maintenance of the catapult system was to blame. She later evacuated the American Embassy in Lebanon in 1989, and also went on a 6-month deployment from May 1989 to November 1989 and served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. America arrived in Norfolk on 8 March and remained there for approximately one month making last minute preparations for an eight-month deployment.[1]. New Year's Day, 1966, found her at Livorno, Italy. Their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. I remember going aboard several times. Since the fighting had started between the Israelis and the Arabs, a quiet settled over the carrier's flight deck. America was planned to be sold for scrapping. Less than a week later, on 15–16 January, she passed through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea on the UN-imposed deadline for Iraq's unconditional withdrawal from Kuwait. She reached Augusta Bay on 27 October, where she was relieved by Dwight D. Eisenhower and sailed for the United States. Really sorry I can't bring my grandchildren to see her after hearing so many of my "Navy stories". By 25 May 1967, there was evidence that a crisis was brewing in the Middle East. She entered the yard on 11 May and emerged after that period of repairs and alterations on 10 August. As the planes sped towards Liberty's position, however, word was received from Tel Aviv that the attackers had been Israeli and that the attack had been made in error. En route, on 26 May, the ship participated in exercise "NEWBOY" and the next day held carrier qualifications. An hour later, about 350 mi (560 km) east of Souda Bay Crete, America rendezvoused with Liberty. The next day, 2 February, representatives from the AFWR came on board to brief America representatives and Carrier Air Wing 6 pilots on forthcoming operations. [citation needed]. While crossing the Atlantic, America conducted: carrier qualifications for her SH-3A crews, missile shoots in the mid-Atlantic, day and night air operations and various other exercises. America departed the Persian Gulf on 4 March, with CVW-1 having conducted 3,008 combat sorties, dropped over 2,000 short tons (1,800 t) of ordnance and suffered no aircraft losses during the war. She departed the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility on 19 April 2005 to conduct the aforementioned tests. The following day, the exercise continued as Greek aircraft flew raids against TG 60.1 surface units. America's legacy will serve as a footprint in the design of future carriers — ships that will protect the sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of America veterans. She also held several missile defense exercises to test the ship's reflexes against a surface threat. America anchored off Rota on 15 July, for what was scheduled to have been an off-load of the equipment of Commander, TF 60, staff. Departing that port on 14 October the carrier proceeded to the Tyrrhenian Sea, where she operated until 26 October. All was peaceful for the remainder of the visit. Other ships in company included South Carolina, Claude V. Ricketts, Dupont, and Neosho. At night, Robert Goralski of NBC News and Bill Gill of ABC News teamed up to present the WAMR "Gill-Goralski Report", a half-hour on the latest developments in the Mideast and around the world. A search and rescue exercise (SAREX) was conducted to test the ship and air wing response to the distress call of a downed aviator. Proceeding to Thessaloniki, Greece, for a port visit America then participated in "National Week XI", in the central Mediterranean. Although that particular Soviet guided missile destroyer left America, her sister ships soon arrived to follow the carrier and her escorting destroyers for days.[1]. By positioning your ship in the midst of our formation and shadowing our every move you are denying us the freedom of maneuver on the high seas that has been traditionally recognized by seafaring nations for centuries. Transiting that waterway on 4 May, America headed for Souda Bay, reaching an anchorage there on 7 May. America, operating from the Adriatic Sea, supported the NATO Implementation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Operation Joint Endeavor before returning to Norfolk, Virginia on 24 February 1996. Clashes between Greek and Turkish forces on Cyprus, however, prompted the Joint Chiefs of Staff to order America to remain at Rota until the arrival of her relief, Independence, on 28 July. Communications exercises simulated conditions in Gulf of Tonkin, as a high volume of message traffic similar to that to be experienced in southeast Asia was generated by Commander, CarDiv 2, who was embarked in the ship. This is an official website of USS America (LHA 6). She spent the remainder of the year 1985 alternating periods of upkeep in Norfolk, with local operations in the Virginia Capes operating area.[1]. On 15 July, America was requested to provide search and rescue (SAR) aircraft to assist in locating a merchant ship in distress in the northern Arabian Sea. During the first day America provided raid aircraft against Greek and Turkish "targets." Two A-6E Intruders from America's Attack Squadron 34 (VA 34) fired AGM-84 Harpoon missiles at the craft and sank her in the first use of the Harpoon in combat. On 7 August, America anchored in the Bay of Naples. After rounding Cape Horn on 5 December 1970, America headed north, stopped briefly at Rio de Janeiro for fuel, and arrived in Norfolk, on 21 December. With this phase of her combat training completed, America departed the AFWR on 9 February for carrier qualifications in the Jacksonville operating area, and held them from the 12th through the 15th. America's planes flew photographic reconnaissance sorties over Vieques, and "found" simulated targets on film. Decommissioned on Aug. 9, 1996, the USS America spend the following years at the Naval Inactive Ships Facility in Philadelphia. She was a fine lady and didn't deserve her final end! The Board of Directors of the USS America Carrier Veteran’s Association (CVA) have a responsibility to its members. Then, Israel beefed up her forces and, in turn, each of the other Arab countries put her armed forces on alert. America covered over 2,500 mi (4,000 km) in a week. America visited the capital city of Valletta, Malta, in January 1996 – the first U.S. Navy carrier to visit this historical port in over 24 years. Returning north upon completion of those evolutions, America put to sea on 30 October for more carrier qualifications-these, however, involved the first arrested carrier landings of the new McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. Helicopters from America sped to the scene, and the ship provided rescue specialists and underwater demolition experts to assist in the effort. Moving into the Adriatic, the carrier stopped at Split, Croatia, before moving north to Venice and Trieste. [10] The wreck lies upright in one piece 16,860 ft (5,140 m) below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed that evacuation by ship might be necessary and the United States Sixth Fleet commander ordered the formation of a special operations task force. The carriers headed for the Caribbean in support of President William Clinton’s policy to restore democracy to Haiti. America conducted a memorial service on 10 June, on the carrier's flight deck.[1]. She was originally named the SS George Law, after Mr. George Law of New York. She then visited Athens shortly afterwards. Originally ordered as an Enterprise-class nuclear carrier, the ballooning costs of Enterprise during construction caused the cancellation of the nuclear CVAN-66 and her reordering as a conventionally powered Kitty Hawk-class carrier. america...... She was my home for 4 years, 8 months and 8 days in 1975 to 1980. She stood the test of time. The repair work was delayed for two weeks while needed parts were rushed to Subic Bay. Thomas B. Hayward and were subsequently escorted to the ship's hangar deck where the carrier division band and the ship's marine detachment rendered honors. Rear Admiral Mazach departed under orders to his new assignment. (j.g.) Cake-cuttings on the hangar deck and in the wardroom celebrated the occasion. America's presence was soon noted by the potential belligerents. America's CVW flew "attack" sorties against "enemy" positions on Vieques, Puerto Rico. She ultimately sailed for the Mediterranean on 15 April 1976 with CVW-6 and Commander, Carrier Group 4 (CarGru 4), Rear Admiral James B. Linder, embarked.[1]. On 1 February, America departed the Guantanamo area, bound for the AFWR. USS America page at Military.com. Admiral Gallery was visiting as many 6th Fleet ships as possible during his month stay in the Mediterranean to gather material for articles and books. [11], Persian Gulf War: Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, see www.ejection-history.org.uk Michael V Bennett Ejection Bailout Diary (log) Kept by USN Safety Center: Entries 81,82,94,95,96,97&98 www.ussamerica.org/membershiplog.asp James Bissette, Richard D. Bean, Robert A. Dallas, Richard Delgott and Terry Michael Hart, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy, "U.S. Navy – A Brief History of Aircraft Carriers – USS, "Declassified: US Nuclear Weapons At Sea", "Naval Combat Aircraft: Issues and Options", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5GAW70uei8, "Navy's Practice Of Sinking Ships Raises Red Flags", Report on 16 January 2006, naming ceremony at Pentagon, FoIA Response: Exact Sinking Location Released, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_America_(CV-66)&oldid=1001366443, Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States, Vietnam War aircraft carriers of the United States, Articles needing additional references from April 2020, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2007, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2015, Articles needing additional references from May 2008, Articles lacking in-text citations from September 2008, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Scuttled after live-fire testing 14 May 2005, 990 ft (300 m) (waterline), 1,048 ft (319 m), 248 ft (76 m) extreme, 129 ft (39 m) waterline, 38 ft (12 m) (maximum), 37 ft (11 m) (limit), This page was last edited on 19 January 2021, at 10:58. Following that counter-terrorist strike, America visited Naples from 28 April – 4 May, and then participated in NATO Exercise "Distant Hammer" with units of the Italian and Turkish Air Forces, and visited Nice/Monaco upon conclusion of the evolution. It was sad to see her go down. On 11 August, Coral Sea and America departed early from separate port visits when they were diverted to the eastern Mediterranean as a show of force in the wake of the suspected hanging of Marine Corps Lt. Col. William R. Higgins by Middle East terrorists, and threats to other hostages. On 29 April, Rear Admiral Lawrence R. Geis relieved Rear Admiral Guinn as Commander, Carrier Division 4, Commander, TF 60, Commander, TF 65, and Commander, TF 502 (NATO). On 10 July 1968, Lt. Roy Cash, Jr. (pilot) and Lt. j.g. The ship subsequently departed Málaga on 23 May, and reached Norfolk on 2 June. The admiral gave members of the press copies of both America's and Saratoga's flight plans for the days in question and a rundown of the task force's position at all times during the conflict. I served from june of 90 until feb of 93. There was some objection to a ship being named after the U.S. being deliberately sunk at sea, and a committee of her former crew members and other supporters attempted to save the ship for use as a museum ship. Doctors Gordon, Flynn and Lieutenant Donald P. Griffith, MC, worked for more than 12 hours in the operating room, while other doctors, Lt. George A. Lucier and Lt. Frank N. Federico made continuous rounds in the wards to aid and comfort the wounded. She proceeded thence for a port call at Athens. I called the America home for 3 years. The photo depicted here shows waves breaking its front as it slowly starts to slip underwater. Following a short stand down, America conducted carrier qualifications in the Virginia Capes operating area, before she moored at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 14 December. The carrier task force, under the command of Rear Admiral Geis, prepared for any contingency. On 13 and 14 March, the weapons department also flexed their muscles by firing two Terrier missiles. Through five line periods, the carrier had flown off 10,600 sorties (7,615 combat plus combat support), 2,626 actual combat sorties, completed 10,804 carrier landings, expended 11,190 tons of ordnance, moved 425,996 lb (193,229 kg) of cargo, handled 6,890 packages and transferred 469,027 lb (212,747 kg) of mail. America operated in the Indian Ocean, on "Gonzo" Station, for the first time from 12 May – 3 June, after which time she visited Singapore. After operations in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, America returned home on 10 November 1989.[4]. Between the time the ship left Rota, until she reached Naples, she participated in three major exercises. Please tell him hello for me. Rumors swept the ship that her deployment would be shortened because of the cessation of hostilities, and hope ran high as the ship moored at Subic Bay on 3 February. You can tell I'm a landlubber: I used floors instead of decks.LOLhttps://www.paypal.me/CharlesFockaertP.O. Visiting Caracas, Venezuela, upon conclusion of that evolution, America departed on 9 May for the Mediterranean. Robinson became the first black female naval aviator to be carrier qualified. I served on the America from 1970-1973. Decommissioned on August 9, 1996, the USS AMERICA spend the following years at the Naval Inactive Ships Facility in Philadelphia. America and Hermes provided raid aircraft to test each other's antiaircraft defenses. Among the work performed during the availability was the installation of the NATO "Sea Sparrow" missile and close-in weapon systems such as the multi-barreled "Phalanx" machine gun.