USS Ranger flight ops
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ม.ค. 2014
- This is from 8mm movie film I took during flight ops in late 1972 aboard the Ranger. The quality is not all that good but I was able to enhance it a bit and I added flight deck sounds to give the feel of carrier flight ops.
LONG STORY short: In 1970, my mom talked our way on board the USS Ranger when it was in port at Coronado. She quickly befriended a crewman fireman who was getting out of his car with his family to give them a tour of the ship. She asked if we could tagalong. As a 10-year-old I thought it was absolutely incredible to go on board! No way you could do it now. She got on base by saying we were there to buy Navy surplus which people did back then.
SIMPLER TIME!
Thanks John…super job! I almost feel YOUNG again. LOL
I was born and raised in Olongapo City and I’ve seen them all. Ranger Oriskany, Kitty Hawk, Constellation and Midway. So as the Corsair, Phantoms, Intruders, Tomcats, Vigilantes, Crusaders. They all flew around Subic Bay every time a flattop pulls in. At the height of the Vietnam War I remembered there’s 4 carriers that pulled in at the same time. Magsaysay was in chaos! Those were the good ‘ol days. Fly Navy!
4 carriers at once that would have been a sight! :)
Not a lot of room for all that metal. I'll bet the ramp was packed full.
I was on the Ranger during my West Pac in 1974. I was fortunate to have temporary duty at Cubi Point for the entire summer. I stayed in Olongopo City every night and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I was a jet mech on E-2 aircraft.
@@lesleyjohnson5653 My dad was stationed in Cubi Pt. Supply Dept. at that time. Seen a lot of different aircraft there. Now works at NAS North Island fixing Catapult and arresting gear on all Nimitz class carriers. Fly Navy!
Ah yes, Subic Bay! I was stationed aboard the Kitty Hawk from '71 to '73 P1Div MM #4MMR..."Rat" LLBFM! Always a good time in Olongapo City!
I was one of the Marines who was in the honor guard at the Christening of the Ranger at Newport News, VA, in the early fall of 1956. Admiral Radford's wife did the honors and we watched the ship slid down the ways.
I served on the Ranger on 3 WESTPAC cruises (1968-1971). I worked on the radar of the F4-Phantoms in VF-21. What an adventure! I worked on the flight deck and hangar deck, trying to keep the airplanes flyable. We usually had another carrier working with us. One of us would fly all night 1900-0700, and the other would fly all day. We would launch 20 or 30 aircraft every hour and a half, and recover the previous mission's airplanes after those were launched. Then we had about an hour to repair, rearm, and refuel the planes before they were launched again. These cruises lasted 8 months, and during that time we would stay on Yankee Station off North Vietnam for about 6 weeks at time, flying bombing missions, then we would head for Subic Bay in the Phillipines, or Japan, or Hong Kong for some liberty for a few days. Then back to Yankee Station for another 6 week "line period". 8 months at sea on that ship was a loooong time. But lots of great memories and "sea stories"!
Hi gilsdog who are you I was on the vf 21 electrical shop and flight deck trouble shooters during your time on board Bert west
I served also on the 68-69 cruise. I also worked on the radar system. I was with VF-154. We were sister squadrons. I must have seen you several times, either on the flight deck, or in the hanger bay. I had a friend in VF-21, his name was Milt Reel. You described what we did very well. We were indeed very busy.
I remember a lot of times when we had flight ops from 1200-2400. I was in 1st Division the '68--69 cruise. I remember all too often UnRepping beginning at 0100 and lasting 3-4 hours. I was on the P&D line standing just forward of the island on the flight deck. Really miserable off of Korea. The most memorable part was watching both St. Paul and Chicago UnRepping off Sacramento's starboard side as we UnRepped off her port side.
@@jimpowell2296 I didn't see your picture in the '68-'69 cruise book.
@@johnslaughter5475
In that cruise half or more of the AQ’s missed the photo. It was taken very early in the cruise. All of us who worked nights missed that photo. You will see me in the 67-68 cruise as that shot was taken in the hangar.
Watching this video I can almost smell the JP-5.....I was on board that very day....72-75
I was in VA 145.....1971-1975
Flight deck troubleshooter.Great film!
My father was Ronald Imlay
Thank you for sharing this I was part of Ships Company from Jan 1971 to Oct 1974. Operations ETN2
I was on the Ranger from 72-76. Earned the Navy Battle Efficiency Award. Gordon Bjornn boatswain's mate.
Gordon, did you have a brother who was a cook?
We were on 61st & Grey at the same time in 1974 WESTPAC. I was a plane captain on E-2 Hawkeye in VAW 112.
PO3 Les Johnson
Thanks for the flick. I flew with the Stingers on the 76 cruise. Randy Cunningham (Navy ace) was in one of the Phantom squadrons. We pulled into Singapore in July and celebrated our 200th anniversary with all the Americans.
Yes, I also remember having to load all the A7's for the in subic, for that trip to Singapore. I was crash and salvage
My dad served as arresting gear and catapult officer on the Ranger. He had two tours. I believe he was aboard in 72.
My uncle, Wesley Oliphant, served aboard the USS Ranger during Vietnam
I was on the Oriskany 71-74 with VA-153 made three Westpacs during that time . I do remember the Ranger on one cruise everytime we would pull in to Subic Bay there was Ranger tied to pier. We called it building 61. We heard someone sabotaged a main engine somehow and she needed major repairs. Those were the days.
First off I really enjoyed my time at sea. I was on this Westpac cruise. I was an AQ in VF-154, Black Knights. As an AQ I worked on the radar system. I don’t think the AQ rate is used any more. I worked the night shift, 7pm to 7am 7 days a week. Night ops was very cool. Seeing those planes being launched in full afterburner at night was really something. These Navy drivers in my opinion, are the best in the world. Being launched and recovered on an aircraft carrier is very precise work, especially during night time. Was always happy when all the planes that were launched were also recovered. One thing for sure, being on the flight deck during flight ops is dangerous work. At that time we were part of CAW2. I was also on the 68-69 Westpac cruise. On that cruise we went to the Sea of Japan because the North Koreans illegally boarded the USS Pueblo. We all thought we were going to war against North Korea. Sadly, that didn’t happen. Had we taken care of that problem, North Korea would be no problem today, my opinion. We had poor leadership not only in the White House, but also in General Westmoreland, who was in charge in Vietnam. I know this, I was proud to serve with my fighter squadron. We all did our jobs, as I believe every other squadron as well as ships company did their jobs. We were in a wartime operation. Bombs, missiles and airplane fuel were in abundance. So, doing your job correctly was at the top of the list. My time in the navy was a great experience. GO NAVY!!!
I was aboard Ranger the next 2 cruises. April, 1969, North Vietnam shot down an EC-121 with the loss of 32 sailor lives. They sent us, Enterprise, Hornet, Ticonderoga, St. Paul, Chicago, and a lot of smaller ships up there. Once again, we didn't do a damn thing about NK. The Pueblo is still in NK at Pyongyang at a place called Victory Park - victory over the U.S. There have been no reparations for the 32 men on that plane and the 1 man killed on the Pueblo. To this day, 55 years later, NK is still a headache. At the very least we should've sent a team of seals in to blow the entire hull of Pueblo to pieces. These events are a major embarrassment to the U.S.
I found your picture in the 1967-'68 cruise book, you were an AQAN, but not in the '68-'69 book. I did notice that Frank Ploof was on the latter cruise. I agree that watching flight ops at night is really cool. The Phantoms were the best in full AB. I watched from the safety of Vulture's Row. I was briefly on the flight deck twice during flight ops and it was scary as all get out.
My father was on both cruises. He was an AC1 and would've helped bring in many of your pilots. ( I was not in the same division.)
Holy shit I didn't think that Vigilante was going to pull up. Great video.
My husband was on this cruise and the next one aboard the Ranger. I know he was a plane captain on this cruise.
I was on that cruise, worked in V-1 as a yellow shirt. This is a great piece of footage to have. Thanks for the memories.
Bring' s back Memories, did two cruise' s1976 and 1977. I enjoy every moment. Retired Navy Veteran.⚓⚓⚓⚓🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Was on it Iraq war in Persian gulf after war was decommissioned, I got out of navy. Vf 1 f14 Tom cats
John thanks for the flick, I was an A6 stick,VA-145, through 76'; brings back memories for an old fart of days gone by. One of your commenters, M. Roe, was a Troubleshooter in my division and a good one at that. Thanks again.
Ken Marsh My father was Ron Imlay.
God bless you sir
I was on the anger for a 73-74 cruise in the AIMD Dept. supporting the RA5C family. Was a good cruise.
Thank you for the memories!
I served from 77 to 81 with
VA 113 Made 2 westpacs got offloaded in P.I. both cruises. "
Station Dito" - Flight deck ops by day and Magsaysay patrols nightly!! Fond Memories
I remember being alongside the USS Ranger on Yankee station Vietnam aboard the USS Oriskany 1972. With VA 155 A7 B Squadron
If this video was taken in late 1972. This is the 72-73 west pac cruise. I too was aboard the Ranger back then I was with VAQ 130 Det 4 we flew the A-3 (WHALES) This video was taken just before we lost AC 611 on a night launch. I say this because in the video of one of the last f-4 launches the camera pan over an I caught the nose view of 611 just forward of the island I was a cat checker that night I had just finished checking HP bleed valves for closing and then jumped in the port catwalk a waiting the launch which was usually only a few seconds after I jumped in. I remember peeping over the scupper drain as I always did just to make another quick check of the bird before the launch. Then the cat launcher went to one knee and pointed towards the bow for the ok to launch. 611 was on its take off roll and got about halfway down the stroke on the port cat and then the nose gear clasped next there was a loud explosion just before 611 cleared the ramp She lost altitude and rolled hard left landing upside down in the water. Everyone rushed over to the port side and started throwing their flashlights over the side to mark her position. We all watch 611 as we passed by her just to sink before she even got to the fan tail. The helo was right there but never recovered anyone. The only thing they found the next day was about a 6ft section of honeycomb from the bottom of the bomb bay doors a part of the vert fin cap and one of the crews' helmets. I will never forget that night as long as I live. I lost three good friends ship mates if you will for, they all perished that night. May GOD be with them always.
Thank you for your service! Also thank you so much for sharing this rare footage... 👍 😎
I was aboard the Ranger in 81-82 for one and a half Westpac cruises. I was involved in flight ops that looked much the same, except no Vigilantes, and the Phantoms were replaced with Tomcats.
Yep I was in vf 1 on it in Persian gulf Iraq war 120 days
I was aboard Ranger from 1968-'70, made 2 WestPac cruises. 1st Division my first cruise and S-7 Division (Data processing) on the second. Should've stayed aboard, probably would've done 20. Loved sea duty,
Awesome upload. Vigi at the end is a real bonus!
Thanks for posting; I was onboard during that time. 1972 - 1975 - AK2, S-6 Division -
I got to travel to Lander Wy during my time on USS Ranger and they invited us for their 4th of July Rodeo so off we went with Silver and we were in their parade. Also was up on the captains bridge when Lt Dengler returned to Ranger after his escape from the POW camp. Those were some of the good times.
Awesome footage! Thanks
Thanks for the video. Great to see the Top Gun again. Served aboard 62-64, YN3, Air Dept, V-6 Div., 62-63 WestPac.
I was aboard Ranger 72-73 flying E-1Bs. This cruise saw some very decisive action - the final assault on Hanoi/Haiphong called Linebacker 2, the first combat deployment of Laser Guided Bombs, and the mining of Haiphong approach lanes. Together these events provided great incentives for the final cease fire. The airwing lost 6 aircrew that cruise: one to combat (an A-7), 3 to aircraft material failure (an A-3), and 2 to a mid-air collision (2 F-4s). There was also a fatality in the Marine contingent - a heart attack.
I did the last cruise on this girl 1993. But to tell u the truth. This footage is better than most footage these days the clarity. WOW
my father flew a-7's off of the ranger. he was a stinger. :)
what year? I was a flt deck trouble shooter 80 to 83 AQ2 Torres
My first west pac 78-79 Ranger had A7's and they were replaced with F4 in 80-81 cruise
@@victorm.torres61 I never noticed this comment and I apologize. I'll have to look for his old books. He has passed away since but I believe it was in the late 60s early 70's. VA-113. I still have his wooden replica here with his aircraft numbers on it. 312NE A7-E 158470. LTJG Harry Holman
I knew him well he was our legal officer then, had a thick mustache he picked up Lt. and became my division officer. Was '80-'83
@@victorm.torres61 he always talked fondly of those days. I learned after his passing from a few of his old flight buddies that he was know to "frustrate" higher ups a few times. They mentioned one time he was flying I guess at the rear of the carrier...I guess for observation purposes. Anyway, they said he kept communicating with the carrier to inform them of the direction they needed to adjust their course towards...just messing around. Until I guess the captain came over the radio and told him to shut the hell up and he will drive his own damn ship. Lol
I was in fighter Squadron VF-154 the Black Knights for two war time Westpac cruises 1967-68 and 1968-69, aboard USS Ranger.
I worked flight deck from late 79 to 82 started out as a blue shirt of course,tractors and finally a yellow shirt mostly fly 3. worked with some great guys, and 2west pacs
I arrived in 1981, my 1st duty station - I was an SK in S-1 Division. I slept under that flight deck when I first reported to the ship.
Miss my ol friend, Charles Wolcott he served on the Ranger, we met on a trap shooting range, traveled and shot clays together. "Fly high with the Angel's Chuck"!
Jeez that Vigilante landing looks terrifying.
did not look too stable did it?
Plane was HUGE. I can imagine all that mass being the reason for the instability.
I worked in the arresting gear on the Big E the Vigilantes and the A-3 Whales were our biggest nightmares.
Yeah I thought that damn thing was about to go over. That was quite scary.
Awesome!.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿
Good stuff. I'm not tech savey to add flight deck sound. Navy music was the best I could do. My video was USS Midway 71-75 Air Operations over Vietnam. Thanks for sharing.
great job ,I was on her from 1966-1970
Thanks. I served on the Ranger..... West Pac 83-84. Aboard VA 192.
I was on that cruise.
I remember going on both the Ranger and the Midway when they were based in San Diego. After that the Kittyhawk and Constellation replaced them and buth of those carriers are gone. Man time flies.
Fascinating 🤩
That Vigilante stops like a Lincoln Town car with the e-brake on
Good job with the sound dubbing. I flew 2 cruises on the Enterprise and America in A7s.
My Dad was employed at Vought for 30 years, he used to tell me his favorite program was the A-7.
@@baseballguy2001 If I'd have had a lick of sense, I'd have gone to work for Vought when I got out, but I didn't want to live in Texas.
Nothing wrong the quality at all, its great. I'd love a copy of your whole film if you have more. Served as an aircraft handler/crash rescue 76-82 in the Aussie navy.
Thanks for the comment, I do have more coming up, just had my old movies transfered to DVD and I have a lot to sort out.
Good vid! VF-21 YN2, 79 Westpac!
78-79? Hit the tanker...yup my first pac was 78-79
OK well i'll look forward to some more.
I salute all soldier pilots marines army ranger who put there guts saving and fighting for freedom
Excellent production, the camera work is steady, colors saturated and well exposed. The sounds express the content, if you were straining to sync it more it would show. The rendering is top notch. Oh yeah, the content is dynamite! Thanks.
I was ships company V2 div 76-80
joe jackson good to see someone from v2 i was bow cat cat 1 Dave but most the time they called me cricket hard long days but wouldn't change a thing
I saw the Ranger in San Diego in 1989
Man the way that RA-5 shifted to the left on that trap…
My grandpa worked in OED Division on board the Ranger!
I was on this cruise, aircrew and maintenance on the cod crew. Although not the speed of our jets the cat shots and arrested landing were exciting. Top Gun Bar None!
Danger Ranger, I heard you could get killed just walking through the hangar bay on the Ranger, amazing Kodachrome film stock, that Vigilante was awesome
There was my station Down In the engine room Machines Mate 2nd articularly room 1979 to 1983 MM-E-5 David Garcia
In Feb 65 we had a spad pilot shot down not to far from Danang and he was taken prisoner, off the beach and not to far out to sea. I sure would like to know his name. My chopper when down trying to save him.
Damn....glad you made it out OK hope he did too, nasty war
May be Michael Dunn, co pilot was executed. If true he would have had a green bumerang on his vertical stabalizer, logo VA 165. He later transitioned to A6's and was samed out by one of the more sophisticated sams in 1969
I was there P.C. VF21 Last war time cruise . and first peace time cruise early 70's
Gotta love those A7s
USS Hancock (CVA19) 1968-70. Good times in PI & Japan
Badass!
I joined the crew in 1973. the planes shown in this video were the AWAX, F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom, A-6 Intruder, and F-111 Aardvark. The USS Ranger proudly claimed Top Gun for several cruises.
Did not see any F8 or F111
@@marvinjohnson424 That's too bad. You must have joined the crew many years after me.
@@elijahhodges4405 No I was on in 69/70 VF21 Sundowners
VA-25 AIMD, WestPac 1976. The Fist!
AO3 VA113 I was there on Ranger 72/73 ,we lived on the flight deck...lol
AMH3 trouble shooter and AMD and plane captain.71-72-73
I can't even imagine how many 500 pounders you loaded. I was on that cruise with you. Aircrew C1-A. Thanks for your service. PS hopefully you didn't destroy your shoulders and back. Iuaoyas!
Thanks for your dedication, I would love to have a copy of the finished product. Just let me know the cost.
My first deployment was aboard CVN 79 2000
And damn do I miss it
Actress Suzanne Summers had First USO Show on Ranger I Remember it Television 📺
1976 WestPac, VA-145
We are gonna go see the battleship New Jersey!!!!!!!!!
I was on that cruise and the one after , plane captain VA-25
Hi Jack; I was with VA-25 as an AT3 AIMD & pre-flight trouble shooter. Captain Vezina headed up the squadron. You will, no doubt, remember Dave Hamilton in Personnel, along with LTJG Lighthouse?
Oh the LTV dreams
i was on the coral sea. bob hope went to the ranger
I was on USS Midway 78-80 crash crew, we out performed the Ranger. Constellation, and Kittyhawk every time during war games and Midway only had to cats Ha...
All hands on deck
HS-4 , 1976 cruise.
was there
On board 68 69 as plane captain on F4 in VF21. Any more of you out there.
Hi Marvin ,
I was in the electrical shop during 67 to 70 cruise
Flight deck troubleshooter for 69 70 cruise
I don’t remember you , but so what .
You were there ,
Anyone else out there
Bob (Bert) West
Vt 21
Few years after you 72-73 and 73-74 cruise Plane Captain VF21 . 204 was my bird . Did you know Kochway or (not seur how to spell name) Teaferteller
@@jeff427able Did not know him. When I was in squadron birds where numbered in the 100's. I had CO's bird 101.
On it in Iraqi war,130 days in Persian gulf , got back to sandiego then it was decommissioned
VA-25 78, 79 and 80
Spent a month on the Ranger 1989. Enjoyed it but prefer submarines.
1976 WestPac, VF-154,
Dan Collins best pilot you had lt com devil Houston i was in v2 div cat 1 mostly on deck on cold nights i would hold back on fantoms so i could get warm from the exaust and the cat track
Not dan collins devil Houston
Clear
I cruised with VA 145 on Ranger in 1971-1975.
MICHAEL ROE father was Ronald Imlay
Mike, Ken Marsh here, old mind and memory but I remember PO Stagger (I think that’s right), beer shooters and softball in port at Subic. You and all the trouble shooters bring fond recollections to me of those years of our youth. Regards, shipmate.
John Colony, great job on the audio. It does sound realistic. Which software do you use to add in your own audio?
Thank you for the comment I use Sony Vegas and I downloaded the flight deck sounds from a sound clip site and tweeted them in Audacity I haven't been able to upload more stuff as we moved to an area with limited internet, I do all my stuff on my phone at this time but hopefully I'll get a provider soon.
John I forgot to mention I was on Ranger too, Ship's Company. I was an AO2 in AIMD from '90-'93. From Desert Storm to Ranger's Last Ride. Thank you for your service John.
Tough pilot
That Vigilante trap at the end was nasty as hell. Did he trap off centerline?
AIMD 70-72
What was the last plane to land? Is that an RA-5? That plane is huge!
You are correct in that, it is a RA-5 from RVHA-5
Edward Douglas McDonald served aboard the USS Ranger from 1969 to 1974. Later he designed flight simulator computer programs for MicroSoft.
Does anyone remember him?
What division was he in? I was in OI division..
@@phillipnabersr.3342 Thank you for your reply.
McDonald was a Petty Officer and Supervisor of computer maintenance for CIC and CATCC. He received three personal Letters of Commendation. Two from ships' Captains and one from an Admiral, 7th Fleet.
Shane Holman, who was your father ? I was in the squadron from about February '70 to May '73.
Kurt Hengelbrok I was in VA -113 AE 2 troubleshooter 70-71. Remember your name. We're you a PC!
84-88 R-Div HT3
So long ago. See a bumble bee, but not a fist in sight.
Big green tails and nose
Imagine a carrier these days with so many different types of aircraft. I counted six but l presume she also had Spads and helicopter's.
Nowadays it is 4 and the helos
Super hoe. Lightning. Growler. Hawkeye
Back then there had to have been 7-8 different types of aircraft onboard a carrier. First was the fighter squadrons, which was mainly F-4 Phantoms when this video was shot. The F-8 Crusader was being phased out as a fighter, but was still used as a photo bird up until about 1987. Your light attack squadrons were the A-7 Corsair II's, medium attack squads used the A-6 Intruder. The A-3 Skywarrior was initially a heavy, nuclear strike bomber, but was used mainly as either a recon bird, an electronic countermeasure platform (what the EA-6B Prowler and the EF/A-18 Growler would later do), or an airborne tanker. the A-5 Vigilante, originally designed as a supersonic nuclear bomber, was used as a recon bird. A plane that is largely forgotten these days is the S-2 Tracker, a scout plane that is primarily a sub-hunter, basically what the S-3 Viking did. Lastly you have your airborne early warning planes, starting with the E-1 (seen in this video) and the E-2 Hawkeye, which is still in service today. I got kinda long on this comment, but I have always liked the carrier makeup of the Vietnam-era.
Get Some Vigilante!!! Just in time for mid rats.
Are you sure it was 72 because that Viggie that landed was a heavy 0ne bird and in 72 Heavy one was on the Saratoga. I was in Heavy One on the Ranger in 71 and that bureau number is a heavy one A/C. The other squadrons in the film clip were all on the Ranger in 71. Just wondering because I have a photo of that Viggie 156632 in Heavy 1 in 71, Good video though
The quality of the film is bad but the Viggie is a Heavy 5 bird, RVAH-5 embarked on the Ranger in early Sep I believe, the film was shot between Nov-Dec 72 at the time Operation Linebacker 2 was going on so there was more than the usual air ops going on.
Great vid. What's that plane @4:46 ?
That is a A-5 Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft.
Thanks. Don't think I've ever seen one before. It's a looker (excuse the unintended pun).
The Vigilante was originally designed as a nuclear bomber, it ejected the bomb from the tail but it would get caught in the slipstream and follow the aircraft for a bit causing the bomb to be off target. Thanks for the interest I am hoping to get some new stuff up soon, about 3 years ago my computer was fried in a power surge with most of my stuff But I recently found my back up which I put up for safe keeping so good it took this long to find it..lol
any stingers out ther?
80 to 83 flt deck shooter, AQ2 TORRES
AE2 VA113 troubleshooter 70-71
AO3 Daigle 70/74
AT3 VA-113 72-73 IMA