USS Ranger (CV-61)

• Commissioned in 1957: USS Ranger (CV-61) was commissioned on August 10, 1957, becoming the seventh ship to bear the name "Ranger" in U.S. Navy history. • Forrestal-class Carrier: Ranger was the third of the Forrestal-class supercarriers, featuring innovations such as an angled flight deck and steam catapults, which revolutionized aircraft carrier operations. • Vietnam War Service: Ranger saw extensive combat service during the Vietnam War, completing multiple “Yankee Station” deployments and earning 13 battle stars for her actions. • First Carrier with Jet Blast Deflectors: Ranger was the first aircraft carrier to be built from the keel up with jet blast deflectors, enhancing her ability to launch jet aircraft safely. • Operation Desert Storm: In 1991, Ranger participated in Operation Desert Storm, launching air strikes against Iraqi targets and playing a crucial role in the air campaign. • Hollywood Star: Ranger appeared in several films, including “Top Gun,” “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” and “Flight of the Intruder,” standing in for other ships or as itself. • Homeported in San Diego: For the majority of her service, Ranger was homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. • Rescue Operations: In 1981, Ranger rescued 138 Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea, providing them with food, medical care, and shelter. • Decommissioning: After nearly 37 years of service, Ranger was decommissioned on July 10, 1993. She was one of the last Forrestal-class carriers in operation. • Final Fate: Despite efforts to preserve her as a museum, Ranger was eventually sold for scrap and dismantled in Brownsville, Texas, with the process completed in 2017.