Photos Aircraft Carriers

Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho under attack by U.S. Navy carrier aircraft in the late morning of 7 May 1942. A TBD Devastator is visible in the lower right center, and another plane can be seen in the top center. Photographed from a USS Yorktown (CV 5) torpedo plane.

April 28 1967 as USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 steamed in company with USS PERRY DD-844 and USS POWER DD-838 in the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range at 12 knots. Captain John K. Beling, USN, Commanding Officer.
Emergency Recovery.
At 2044 hours, Canceled launch due to emergency recovery. At 2047 hours, recovered one A-4 Skyhawk aircraft #322 of VA-106 with no incident.
USS FORRESTAL FAMILYGRAM
Dear FORRESTAL Family and Friends
Once again, FORRESTAL is at sea. She is undertaking four-weeks of training in the Caribbean Operating Area off Puerto Rico. We returned March 27th from five highly successful weeks of training conducted at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in the same area where we are operating now. We went back one again to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth. The purpose of the brief two-week stay in the shipyard was to finish a few items outstanding from our overhaul and to exercise the guarantee on our new equipment installed in the previous lengthy shipyard period.
We worked hard during our Caribbean deployment and the hard effort and long hours paid dividends. However, between drills and our heavy training schedule, the men had a few social activities to ease the pressure and promote relaxation and pleasure in pleasant surroundings. In Guantanamo, we held a gala beach party on the sun-drenched sands of the base’s Phillips Park. The party featured two days of sports events, entertainment, swimming, and just about any activity you would expect to find in a tropical climate. Most officers and men returned Stateside boasting deep tans.
Just prior to leaving Guantanamo, Rear Admiral Harvey P. Lanham, Commander Carrier Division Two, moved his flag aboard FORRESTAL. Admiral Lanham, a veteran naval aviator and a 1937 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, took command of the Carrier Division in October 1966 to become the 34th Commander in a long line of distinguished naval leaders, including such well-known names in naval annals as Halsey, Sherman, Davidson, and Sprague. His command consists of USS FORRESTAL CVA-59, as his flagship, plus USS SARATOGA CVA-60 and such other ships, including destroyers, as are needed for the military task assigned.
Soon after our return to Virginia our beach party was followed by a dinner-dance on April 5th and 6th at the Dome, an ultra modern entertainment facility at the nearby resort city of Virginia Beach. This party included professional entertainment with comedians, dancers, tow bands (a rock ‘n’ roll combo and the fine dance band of Commander Carrier Division Two), and food catered by one of Norfolk’s leading restaurants. It was a superb opportunity for everyone to mingle and get to know the ship’s officers and men better, and turned out to be a magnificent success. We had many comments that “his was the best party I’ve been to in a long time.” In short, it was the perfect icebreaker for both the old and new hands aboard.
As for our Caribbean cruise itself, FORRESTAL’s men definitely showed that they have a “Can Do” attitude and absolutely all the spirit needed to put the ship on top of the list of combat ready ships in the Navy. Our tasks have not been easy for the past two months, as I noted earlier. But, the effort has been most worthwhile and has made FORRESTAL a highly trained and disciplined fighting machine. Yes, we are ready!
We hope to share this feeling of readiness with you. To give you a better understanding of what your husband or son does, we have planned a family day cruise for Saturday, May 20th. However, the cruise is dependent upon one condition that we finish our commitments scheduled through May 20th by the afternoon of May 19th. FORRESTAL will be involved in qualifying pilots for carrier landings during that period and also will hold evaluation tests on the Navy’s new Automatic Carrier Landing System. This will take high efficiency on the ship’s part, but I’m confident that we will succeed. In the event that we are unable to finish in time due to bad weather or for any other reason, FORRESTAL will substitute an Open House for all of you on Sunday, May 21st.
In the past, FORRESTAL’s family cruises have been received most enthusiastically. We have even had parents visit us from a far away as California. To say the least, this increases morale greatly and makes FORRESTAL crewmembers stand a little taller. So, I would like to take this occasion to extend to you and yours, the families and sweethearts of our fine officers and men, a cordial invitation to sail with us on May 20th. I am sorry but Department of Navy regulations prohibit the participation in these cruises by children under the age of 12. Because of tidal conditions, sailing that day will be a 7 o’clock in the morning. We plan to be out at sea until late afternoon.
This family day cruise will give our guests the opportunity to see the ship in action, to have “chow” aboard, and to watch an air demonstration by our pilots of Carrier Air Wing 17. They will show you the latest combat techniques and thrill you with their skill in landing jet aircraft on a moving flight deck. If you have the chance to come to Norfolk next month, we certainly hope you will visit us for the day.
I would like to repeat what I told you in my last letter, concerning what to do should you need to contact your son or husband in the case of an emergency. In the event of serious illness or death in the family, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross, which in turn will see that a radio message is sent to FORRESTAL. Emergency leave can usually be granted if necessary, but we must have verification of the emergency from the Red Cross.
In closing, I’d like to remind you that getting mail from home is one of the most important things in a Navy man’s life. If you could see the hustle aboard FORRESTAL at mail call, you would know what I mean. So, please write often and show your man that your thoughts are with him. A letter does wonders for his moral.
And by all means, don’t forget our invitation to sail with us on May 20th. I know your man hopes to see your at sea!
Sincerely yours,
J. K. Beling
Commanding Officer.

Argentina











MAY 2, 1982-
Brief Chronicle of a frustrated attack on the British Fleet. Sent by Clte (RE) VGM Rafael Sgueglia, President of the Instituto Aeronaval- April 2013.

After the the hit of the Malvinas Islands, on April 2, 1982, and of South Georgia the following day, the Argentine Navy implemented a series of measures to optimize its operational capabilities, as the escalation of the Conflict with the United Kingdom, In this sense, the Argentinan Sea Fleet sought to improve its Exploration capacity from the Airborne Resources on board, mainly, in its aircraft carrier A.R.A. 25 of May. To do this, it took advantage of the capacity of the S2E Tracker aircraft, to which a radio frequency receiver (MAE-Electronic Support Measures) was installed, with the ability to detect the radars of british ships, without reaching the detection threshold of them. , that is to say without being detected.

Full Story and Source

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69​

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) (known informally as "Ike") is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class aircraft carriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the 34th President of the United States and General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower. The vessel was initially named simply as USS Eisenhower, much like the lead ship of the class, Nimitz, but the name was changed to its present form on 25 May 1970. The carrier, like all others of her class, was constructed at Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Virginia, with the same design as the lead ship, although the ship has been overhauled twice to bring her up to the standards of those constructed more recently.

Since commissioning, Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in deployments including Operation Eagle Claw during the Iran hostage crisis in 1980, as well as the Gulf War in the 1990s, and more recently in support of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The carrier currently serves as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 10.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower​

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69​

From British Military Forces Thread, thanks to @Conhoon

F-35B jets to join the fight against Daesh from Carrier Strike Group












UK F-35B Fighter Jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will join Operation Shader in the fight against IS.
This joint RAF and Royal Navy deployment will be the first time UK fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010 and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever to sail to seas.
The renowned 617 Squadron RAF (‘The Dambusters’) will operate the jets to provide tangible and impactful support to counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.
The first of eight F-35B's from 617 Sqn landed on Royal HMS Queen Elizabeth yesterday ahead of Exercise Strike Warrior.
The CSG21 will set sail next month on its first operational deployment.

On this day in 1975: USS Nimitz is commissioned in Norfolk in presence of #POTUS
In 1942 her namesake was returning to PH after inspecting Midway's defenses. Little did he know then that a month later, a decisive battle would develop and the place would come to be known as his finest hour as CINCPAC.

The Enterprise in NYC on her way to be scrapped.

USMC McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II pictured on the elevator of HMS Ark Royal during training exercise 'Capella Strike,' May 2010.

USS Dunlap (DD-384)
Cuts close across the stern of USS Enterprise (CV-6) while operating at sea in the Hawaiian area, 8 April 1942, the day that Enterprise departed to take part in the Doolittle raid on Japan. SBD scout-bombers of Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6) are being spotted aft on the carrier's flight deck. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

04MAY1945 [WWII] Okinawa: CVE-26, USS Sangamon, and HMS Formidable are struck by kamikazes.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

The aircraft carrier USS Antietam (CVA 36) underway near Naval Operating Base Norfolk, Virginia, date unknown. Photo from the National Archives collection.

A U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior (BuNo 135417) of Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-1 crashing on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) during "Operation Strike Back" in the Norwegan Sea, on 26 September 1957. It was a day landing, second approach, CCA (first approach mode one without); 1.6 km visibility, low, ragged ceiling, intermittent rain showers. After a low approach the aircraft settled at the ramp and the mainmounts and fuselage struck the ramp. The aircraft continued up deck in flames crashing off angle. Parts of the plane struck a parked Douglas AD-5N Skyraider. Only two helmets and one boot were later recovered. It was estimated that one possible contributing factor was that the rain caused the optical illusion of "high ball" (on the landing mirror), and low airspeed. The crew died: CDR Paul Wilson (71 total carrier landings); LTJS Joseph R. Juricic 8/N; and ADC Percy Schafer, third crew member. As a high altitude bomber, the A3D was not equipped with ejection seats.

45 anniversary of the commissioning of USS NIMITZ (CVAN 68) 3 May 1975 class leader

CARRIER STRIKE GROUP PREPARES FOR FINAL TEST AHEAD OF GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT​

01 May 2021
Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has set sail from Portsmouth as the UK Carrier Strike Group prepares to join allied forces for its largest and most demanding exercise to date.

Warships HMS Defender, HMS Diamond and HMS Kent also sailed from the city while HMS Richmond is due to sail from Plymouth. Meanwhile Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron have departed their base in Yeovilton to join the exercise.

Exercise Strike Warrior will involve more than 20 warships, three submarines and 150 aircraft from 11 nations and is a final test for the Carrier Strike Group ahead of its first operational deployment to the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific.

The exercise, which will run for two weeks, will see the task group pitted against warships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 in waters off north-west Scotland to prove it is capable of undertaking high intensity operations against the most demanding adversaries.

The culmination of Strike Warrior will see the Carrier Strike Group certified ready for deployment, at which point operational command will pass from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, to the Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key.

Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “The advent of the UK Carrier Strike Group represents a substantial new injection of fifth generation combat power into the defence of the Euro-Atlantic region.

“It is therefore fitting that our final and most demanding test prior to deployment involves so many of Britain’s allies.

“As the ships and aircraft of the Carrier Strike Group assemble over the coming days, Exercise Strike Warrior is an opportunity prove to ourselves, and to the world, that we have what it takes to act as cohesive and potent fighting force at sea, under the water, in the air and over the land.”

In the next few days HMS Queen Elizabeth will once again embark 5th Generation fighters, comprising of 18 F-35 Lightning jets drawn from the UK’s 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and VMFA-211 of the US Marine Corps, better known as the Wake Island Avengers.

The Carrier Air Wing also includes the largest concentration of helicopters in a Royal Navy task group in a decade, with three Merlin Mk4 from 845 NAS, four Wildcat from 815 NAS and seven Merlin Mk2 from 820 NAS.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied by destroyers HMS Diamond and HMS Defender, frigates HMS Richmond and HMS Kent and US Navy destroyer USS The Sullivans, which will form a ring of steel around the 65,000-tonne carrier.

Meanwhile, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships Fort Victoria and Tidespring will keep the Strike Group supplied with fuel, food, stores and ammunition.

Joining the UK Carrier Strike Group for the first time is Devonport-based frigate HMS Richmond. Her commanding officer, Commander Hugh Botterill, said: “It is hugely exciting for HMS Richmond to be deploying with the UK Carrier Strike Group.

“Having spent two busy years bringing the Royal Navy’s new diesel propulsion and controls system into service, HMS Richmond is one of the most up-to-date anti-submarine frigates in the fleet. Our proven weapons and sensors, operated by a team of highly skilled men and women, represent a potent defence against underwater threats.

“But we are also looking forward to working with the Royal Navy’s friends and allies to help strengthen Britain’s international partnerships as part of this historic deployment.”

Strike Warrior is the third and last in a series of pre-deployment exercises undertaken by the Carrier Strike Group over the past year, each more demanding and complex than the last.

It takes place concurrently with NATO’s largest biannual maritime exercise, Joint Warrior, predominantly in the north west of Scotland, which sees the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army joined by forces from NATO and Australia for a series of realistic operational scenarios spanning sea, air, land and cyber and space.

Colonel Simon Doran USMC, the US Senior Representative to the UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “Strike Warrior represents the final opportunity for the US Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen to refine years of planning and training.

“We will validate our synergy with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and other NATO allies. Through this interoperability, we will demonstrate the carrier power projection capabilities of the UK Carrier Strike Group.”

Squadron Leader Stew Campbell of 617 Squadron added: “617 Squadron are delighted to be back onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside our US Marine Corps counterparts.

“Exercise Strike Warrior will put the finishing touches on the robust work up package already completed, assuring our readiness to deploy as the centrepiece of a hugely capable and diverse Carrier Strike Group.”

Sixty years ago today May 3, 1961 as USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 steamed in company with USS JAMES C. OWENS DD-776 and USS ROBERT H. McCARD DD-822 in the Ionian Sea at 19 knots. Destroyers screening ahead and astern of FORRESTAL. Captain Robert E. Riera Commanding officer.
Pilot ejects.
At 2113 hours, the crew is commencing rigging the barricade for an F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 134846 of VF-102. At 2114 hours, the Fog Foam stations are manned. At 2120 hours, the barricade is rigged. The aircraft however is waved-off. At 2123 hours, the pilot, LTJG Lawrence D. Mann of VF-102 ejects from his aircraft and is picked up by USS JAMES C. OWENS. LTJG L. D. Mann reports slight back injury.