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36 Years of Service
August 10th of 1957 saw the commissioning of the world's largest warship, USS Ranger (CVA-61). She is the third of four Forrestal Class 'Super Carriers' with sisters Forrestal, Independence and Saratoga. The big day was the beginning of a distinguished career spanning the next 36 years. She roamed the world, and had a diverse set of experiences being where she was needed, when she was needed and with the ability of her crews to get whatever task assigned carried out.
Ranger joined the Atlantic Fleet 3 October 1957. Just prior to sailing 4 October for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for shakedown, she received the men and planes of Attack Squadron 85. She conducted air operations, individual ship exercises, and final acceptance trials along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean Sea until 20 June 1958. She then departed Norfolk, Va., with 200 Naval Reserve officer candidates for a 2-month cruise that took the carrier around Cape Horn. She arrived at her new homeport, Alameda, Calif., on 20 August and joined the Pacific Fleet.
Over the course of the Vietnam War, she earned 13 battle stars during seven West Pacific deployments.
On 28 May 1976, helicopter crews aboard Ranger, assisted in Philippine disaster relief efforts in the flood ravaged areas of central Luzon. Over 1,900 people were evacuated; more than 370,000 pounds of relief supplies and 9,340 gallons of fuel were provided by Navy and Air Force helicopters.
On March 20, 1981 her humanitarian efforts included rescuing 138 refugees in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese Boat People
rescued from the South China Sea
An aircraft carrier is home to a constant 'ship's company' crew of about 2,500 officers and enlisted. When deployed, she hosts an air wing containing approximately 2,500 more including pilots, air crewmen and all the administrative support for the squadrons. At sea, she is a complete city that must be self-sufficient not only for her crew and air wing, but her task group as well.
Operating the ship, navigating anywhere in the world's oceans, launching and recovering aircraft and untold thousands of complex jobs are done by all hands, often in difficult and dangerous conditions. This requires training and constant honing of skills.
The Navy provides a myriad of training schools to ensure the highest quality of professionalism and proficiency. In addition, Ranger provided its own 'Ranger University'; a set of classrooms where crew and air wing personnel could further their education with GED through college courses.
In 1985-1986, scenes from the movie 'Top Gun' were filmed aboard. Other films include 'The Final Countdown', 'Star Trek IV', and 'Flight of the Intruder'.
On 21 April 1992, in harmony with other World War II 50th Anniversary festivities, Ranger participated in the commemorative re-enactment of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan. Over 1,500 guests (including national, local and military media) were embarked to witness two World War II-era B-25's thunder down Ranger's flight deck and take off. In June, Ranger made a historic port visit to Vancouver, British Columbia in conjunction with her final phase of pre-deployment workups
The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" takes off from the deck of Ranger.
The 1990s found the world a still dangerous place calling on the United States to repulse the invasion of Kuwait by its neighbor Iraq under the dictator Saddam Hussein. Once again Ranger was center stage during Operation Desert Storm, providing air power and later enforcing the no-fly zones during the period between Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Ranger returned home to a well deserved hero's welcome. She was to make one final deployment, before decommissioning in July of 1993.
Ranger today rests in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton Washington. The USS Ranger Foundation is actively working to secure her donation from the Navy to assume a new role as museum, educational, civic and memorial center in Portland Oregon.
Whether you are proud of the support Ranger has given our military, the humanitarian significance of Ranger, or the education that Ranger has given to 1000's, future generations will not be able to experience that pride and glory if Ranger is not saved. We can't save this incredible part of our US history without your support. Please visit our web site at www.USSRANGER .ORG and do your part to ensure the old girl isn't finished serving our great nation.
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See the Changes!
 We have been updating and changing the website to reflect the current mission of the Foundation.
One of the most important things you can do to support Ranger is to forward this email to everyone in your address book and ask them to visit the site and learn more. We are always adding links that might be of interest, have a place for photos if you have them, and welcome your comments and thoughts.
Thank you,
The USS Ranger Foundation
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New Ranger Gear
Help Us Spread the Word about Ranger!
We are adding new items to the store regularly-the more people who are showing support by wearing the new Ranger gear with the logo-the better! Now is the time to support Ranger moving to Portland.
Visit the Ranger Store and watch for new items soon!
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USS Ranger Foundation
1505 SE Gideon Street
Portland, Oregon 97202
503-558-8519
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