USS Ranger CVA-61: Western Pacific 1960

This was the Third Deployment for the USS Ranger CVA-61 Aircraft Carrier. Other deployments for this carrier were in 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1963a, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1974.

Front Cover, USS Ranger CVA 61 Cruise Book for their 1960 Deployment of their Wester Pacific Cruise. GGA Image ID # 19bc919a9f

The USS Ranger was a Forrestal Class, Attack Aircraft Carrier. The eighth ship to bear the name Ranger. This is the photographic record of the Western Pacific Cruise, the ship, men and officers. Cruise started 6 February to 30 August 1960.

The U.SS Ranger; first Forrestal class carrier to serve with the Pacific Fleet; a floating airfield designed and operated for the purpose of preserving world peace. Self sufficient and mobile, she is a sea-going city; a community of nearly 4,000 men. Ranger is equipped with every modern facility possible for the ultimate accomplishment of her assigned mission and for the comfort and safety of her crew. From her massive air-conditioning system to her four powerful steam catapults, Ranger is the last word in Naval Air Power.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction of Commanding Officers with brief biographies

Prelude - Getting ready to launch the ship

Turn To - Overview of various functions and opportunities aboard the Carrier

Muster

Administrative Department

Navigation Department

Operations Department

• OA Division - Aerology
• OE Division - Electronics Maintenance
• OI Division - Air Ops, CIC, CCA
• OP Division - Photographics and Imaging
• OR Division - Radio Central
• OS Division - Visual Communications

Air Department

• V-1 Division - Flight Deck
• V-2 Division - Flight Deck
• V-3 Division - Hanger Bay
• V-4 Division - Fuels and Lubricants
• V-6 Division - Aircraft Maintenance
• HU-1 Det Mike - Helos Crew

Gunnery Department

• 1st Division - Fighting First - Fo'c's'le
• 2nd Division - Quarterdeck
• 3rd Division - Deck House Number 3
• 4th Division - Refueling, Replenishing - Deck Division
• Side Cleaners Division
• 5th Division - 5" / 54 Guns
• G Division - General Ordnance
• GM Division - Guided Missiles
• FOX Division - Fire Control Technicians
• W Division - Classified Ops
• Marine Detachment - Security, Special Ops

Engineering Department

• A Division - Auxiliaries
• B Division - Boilers
• E Division - Electrical Power
• M Division - Engineering Plant
• R Division - Repair and Fabrication

Supply Department

• S-1 Division - Stores Division
• S-2 Division - Commissary
• S-2M Division - Mess men (Cleaning Crew)
• S-3 Division - Laundry and Dry Cleaning
• S-4 Division - Disbursing (Payroll)
• S-5 Division - Wardroom Division
• S-6 Division - Aviation Stores

Medical Department

Dental Department

Flag (Ship's Captain and Staff)

• CCD-1

Air Group Nine

• VF-91 - Fighter Squadron Ninety Nine - Red Lightning - Dictum Factum
• VF-92 - Fighter Squadron Ninety-Two - Night and Extreme Weather
• VA-93 - Attack Squadron Ninety-Three - Blue Blazers
• VA-94 - Attack Squadron Ninety-Four - Shrikes
• VA-95 - Attack Squadron Ninety-Five - Skynights
• VAH-6 - All-Weather Striking Force - SkyWarriors
• VAW-13 Det Mike - Detachment Mike of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Thirteen- Semper Fido
• VCP-61 Det Mike - Heavy Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Sixty One, Detachment Mike

Liberty

• Hawaii - The much anticipated Polynesian playground offering picturesque glimpses of tropical beauty
• Guam
• Japan - A land of aesthetic perception ... it is difficult to imagine a place more interesting or more beautiful.
• Okinawa
• Hong Kong
• Philippines

Return to San Francisco - Alameda

About the Cover: The Japanese Kanji style characters appearing in the cover design represent the months which Ranger spent deployed to the Western Pacific on her 1960 cruise. Literally, these characters signify the 5 flowers which Japanese tradition associates with the period from late Winter to early Autumn.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) Underway off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 19 July 1959. Official US Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97685). GGA Image ID # 19bcb9e135