The USS Constellation (CV-64), a Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier, was commissioned in the early 1960s and known as “America’s Flagship.”
Throughout her service, the USS Constellation showcased a commitment to advancements in naval warfare, technological innovation, and a steadfast presence in multiple conflict zones.
The early days of the USS Constellation were marked by tragedy when a catastrophic fire broke out on the hangar deck in December 1960, taking the lives of 50 workers and causing substantial damage.
Following a delay to repair the damages, she was delivered to the Navy on 1 October 1961, and commissioned on 27 October 1961, Capt. Thomas. J. Walker, in command.
As the Cold War’s tensions persisted, the Constellation was a symbol of American naval power designed to counter the Soviet Union’s threat.
Improvements over previous classes included better elevator placements and advanced defensive systems. These enhancements would serve the carrier well in the many conflicts it participated in.
During the Vietnam War, the USS Constellation played a vital role, participating in operations such as Pierce Arrow in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
The F-4B aircrew of pilot Lt. William M. McGunigan and radar intercept officer Lt. (j.g.) Robert M. Fowler from Fighter Squadron (VF) 161 shot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) 17 Fresco, marking the ship’s first MiG kill of the war.
The Constellation returned from Vietnam in 1969, having flown over 11,000 combat and support missions and dropping nearly 20,000 tons of ordnance.
Post-Vietnam, the USS Constellation underwent a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which extended her operational life by an estimated 15 years.
Later in her career, “America’s Flagship” would deploy to Okinawa, the Korean peninsula and the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq.
The USS Constellation’s final combat operations came during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Connie was designated a night carrier and remained on station throughout the major ground combat phase. She launched more than 1,500 sorties and CVW-2 aircraft dropped or fired more than 1.7 million pounds of ordnance. While one aircraft was lost in an operational mishap, there were no fatalities.
On 7 August 2003, Constellation’s commissioning pennant was hauled down and her deck log closed.
Beginning in 2015, she was scrapped at Brownsville, Texas and was towed around Cape Horn on her final voyage.
Relevant articles:
– USS Constellation: A U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Built for Just 1 Mission, The National Interest
– Constellation III (CVA, United States Navy (.mil)
– 64 aircraft carrier model, ModelShipMaster.com
– CV 64 USS Constellation Kitty Hawk class Aircraft Carrier, Seaforces