Admiral, I was onboard 77-81 and served 3 Captains. You were the greatest ever and so glad that you too (also) were selected at the decomissioning as one of two of the speakers. I sent you a letter about 6 months ago with the truth of how your crew loved you and how you LEAD the Connie through everything. GOOD MORNING CONSTELLATION, was always your announcement to the crew. I will let the evil people of social media try and figure out who I am referencing. There are many obvious clues, you were the best and you LOVED your crew, just like we LOVED you. GOD BLESS YOU CAPTAIN AND THE CREW OF THE USS CONSTELLATION. I will always address you as Captain, not for disrespect but HONOR. The CO of America's Flag Ship was a higher Honor than anything else. Birth 10/27/1961
This chokes me up to see the Sister of my Kitty Hawk go to an end of life so cruelly. She was a Bonnie ship and warrior bar none. Fair well brave girl as long as there are sailors that have been your crew you're not forgotten. Unless you served aboard a warship like her y'all wouldn't understand the love that is expressed in these posts. GOD bless the sailors that manned the warships and sail into harms way. A Div EN 3 Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) 1971-73
RIGHT ON BROTHER - I have the same exact comments on CV63 Kitty Hawk. Please do a look at my posts. Many people called Kitty Hawk, other names and I get in their face. There was nothing ****** about Kitty Hawk. Always did her duty, on time, on station and CV64 is so PROUD of our SISTER. CV63 was a fine ship and I will guarantee you CONNIE sailors SALUTE YOU. I wish of all the ships that were decommissioned they saved either CV63 or 64. The best class of the non-nuclear carriers.
This was my home from 1982 into 1984. I manned her helm many a time and she introduced me to the starriest skies I ever saw on the midnight lookout watch in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Many great memories of youth, my shipmates, adventures on the high seas and ports abroad.
Thank you for this video!!! I proudly served on her from '92 to '94 while she was in Philly during her SLEP period and got to steam her back to San Diego. I started out in 2MMR as an BTFN and left in 4MMR as a BT3. Miss all my shipmates!!! God bless and be with all who proudly served on one of the greatest carriers in the Navy!!!!
My first ever ship, 1885-1889, this ship was just a beautiful thing! CONSTELLATION lives in the hearts of all of her previous crew. She is missed, she is loved, and never forgotten! Connie is my Girl!
God bless CONNIE and all who served aboard her. It is sad to see her with no crew, no aircraft, towed to her finale. A moving video. Thanks from an old CONNIE sailor.
Admiral, I was onboard 77-81 and served 3 Captains. You were the greatest ever and so glad that you too (also) were selected at the decomissioning as one of two of the speakers. I sent you a letter about 6 months ago with the truth of how your crew loved you and how you LEAD the Connie through everything. GOOD MORNING CONSTELLATION, was always your announcement to the crew. I will let the evil people of social media try and figure out who I am referencing. There are many obvious clues, you were the best and you LOVED your crew, just like we LOVED you. GOD BLESS YOU CAPTAIN AND THE CREW OF THE USS CONSTELLATION. I will always address you as Captain, not for disrespect but HONOR. The CO of America's Flag Ship was a higher Honor than anything else. Birth 10/27/1961
I saw her in Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., back in June of 1968. My outfit, Hotel 2/7, 1st Marine Div., had been plucked from bases around DaNang after stopping the Tet Offensive there. We became BLT 2/7, to operate from CH-46 Seaknights off of a helicopter carrier. Sailed the South China Sea on the Valley Forge; a warship with a fine battle history. Transferred to LPH 10 Tripoli, a recent deployment dedicated to Helicopter operations. Seeing the Constellation was a moving experience. Her might and amazing crew cohesiveness was empowering. God bless all who sailed her into and out of harm's way.
Was on her for 2 years 84 to 86 3 MMR BT3 great memories and good times made my third westpac on her met some great people not only engineering but from other depts
Onboard the Midway mid 70's and in port Subic Bay, Phillipines when the Connie came into port. Highly unusual 2 carriers in port overseas like that (and crowded bar district). Went onboard to see a buddy stationed on Her, sharp lady & only slightly jealous *..* Ahoy and Saluuute''' Great Lady...
1973/74 Connie you ll b in my heart forever.sitting on the catwalks during moonlit nites when seas are calm n hearing muffled talks guitar strums n the glow of cigarettes. quite a contrast to the reverbaration of the lady after missiles away. us sailors that served on her have been blessed to do so.farewell Connie.
She was alive and well in SD when I reported to Coronado in 1995. She was quietly sleeping when I came to work here in Bremerton in 2011. And I was here, standing pier-side in Bremerton, watching while she left. While I never served on board, I had many many friends that did. It was still depressing.
Indeed. With my autism I couldn’t enlist I liked and always will the US Navy has an awesome aircraft carrier I appreciate your service god bless the US Navy and future sailors!
It was a Documentary featuring the Constellation in the late 80's that started my love of aviation and of the F-14 Tomcat. I still watch that documentary on RUclips. Sad to learn she's been broken up.
My first Carrier.....two West Pac Cruises, a North Pac Cruise and various work ups while attached to VF 21 FREELANCERS F14A TOMCAT SQUADRON.....FROM 1986 THRU 1989.....I WAS ATTACHED TO the Line Shack and then POWER PLANTS...GOD BLESS ALL MY NAVY BROTHERS.....AND SISTERS.....I'VE Went on to retired from The Navy in 2005......
Great video of the Connie arriving in Brownsville. I served on USS Ponchatoula in 1966 - 1967. She also arrived in Brownsville last summer for scrapping. She's all gone but the photos and the memories. We managed to acquire artifacts for a USS Ponchatoula Memorial that's being built in Ponchatoula Louisiana. The dedication is scheduled for 16 May, 2015 @ 10 am
Thank you, Monique, for sharing this video. It was very hard to watch, yet for this Connie sailor unavoidable. You couldn't have chosen a better song to go with it. Even my children were silent while watching, knowing that Dad was saddened to see his former love go. Fair winds, Connie.
I got to do a private tour of her as a teen when she was in sydney in the 90s. Our guide was a backseater in an a6 , i think his callsign was ' munster ' , really nice guy , spent a good maybe 2hrs showing us around and answering questions. Was a great experience and one i wont forget.
CV-64 was my first ship, 2000-2003. I was an MMFA assigned to 1 Aux machinery room. Westpac 2001 was great fun. We left Hawaii back to San Diego on Sep 9 2001 with a load of family and friends for Tiger Cruise. Then shit happened. I was sleeping in my rack when I got woke up and heard about it. It's been over 20 years now, and I just turned into dust and blew away on the wind as I watched this video. Damn.
I reported aboard in 1973 as a IC Man...what a ride did not know it at the time...2 tours off Nam then rode her to dry dock Washington State got out Jan 1976....lots of adventures she gave this young man and friends onboard...now I sit here at 65 and watch her like this...sad...
Checking in again in April 2021.... I'll be 68 years old in June, 2021... 50 years have passed....those memories onboard have grown more dear to my heart as the years fly by....She was a fire blasting beast when I served on her off Vietnam...full of life onboard 5 thousand men only....From Pakistan back to the west coast of the USA we roamed when we came back in 1975 they were going to take her to dry dock Washington State to fit her out for the F 16....I went along and took my discharge there ...Big Mistake I should have taken the 10 K they offered me to reup and made a career of it..I'll never remember her like this I will always remember her busting thru huge rollers out to sea in a storm off of the Philippines , Pulling into Oahu for my first look ever at Hawaii and going ashore with my new friends and riding a bus all over the Island then going to watch the new release movie , Poseidon Adventure in 1973 ...Stopping in Japan...dipping below the equator for Shellback fun....Seeing the Indian Ocean...many beautiful sunsets and Flight Ops day and night...Shooting machine guns off the Fantail on the 4th of July at sea..so many good memories all the bad ones mean nothing anymore and have faded away only the friendships made and lost to time and distance stay in my heart...Farewell old Girl I know you are no longer are in one piece but maybe your new steel made from your old contains the Soul you showed us young men as we matured on your decks as you carried us along...Thank you Connie I will never forget you.....Mark W....April 12 , 2021
I was on her from 93 to 98, R-Div, Pipe and Weld Shops. Of my two ships over my 20 year career, Connie was my favorite. Lots of memories, good and bad times, fun and not so fun. Connie was a living, breathing, sea prowling, ass kicking, work of art. I can still hear her, feel her, and smell her. She made me proud to call myself a sailor.
May this beloved ship rest in peace. If anyone would like to see, I gave the USS Ranger CV61 her final fly over last year, I took a short video of one of the circles around. I took dozens more pictures though.
She was the first ship I reported to when I got out of A school in 1989. Spent one month bouncing around the Pacific and Indian Oceans catching up to her. Finished Westpac 89 and returned to SD. She went into SLEP but I cross-decked to the Independence. GOD how young I was!!
Michael Garrett I drawing your Aircraft Carrier the USS Constellation CVA 64 he is a Kitty Hawk Class Aircraft Carrier as a sovienier I'll send on my FB
I'll be moving soon, the day they say is near Has been a long time, yet I have no fear. I've known for quite a spell this day would come, this day that I would break ties and head for the Sun. Many years I've rested, a rest needed yet not desired you see, for I just want to continue to serve, to keep my country free. I've sat here so quiet, within my hull silence echos with no end, no screaming turbines, no catapult offered for a jet to send. No orders from the bridge to get that headwind right, no Tomcats to send into an unknown fight. Nothing more than memories of the sights, aroma and sounds, I know, Are all I have now to take with me as the darkness begins to grow. I have been home to countless thousands in all my years of devotion, my walls of steel providing them all the security needed, That that those thousands gave for my country to keep me in motion. As my lines are cut for the very last time I ask of those who've set foot upon me, Do not grieve my demise, yet celebrate what you've made me. MM1 John Petersen
I worked in number 2 main machinery room number 2 as a conventional Machinist mate from August '77 to August '81. I sure miss her. Had a hell of a good time on her.
Absolutely beautiful, Monique.....your videos on Constellation and Saratoga are just wonderful. Ranger should be leaving Bremerton soon heading for Brownsville and Im sure you will produce another great video......thanks again.
Sadder yet, cunning ham spent 8 years in Federal Prison for the biggest one-man contractor fraud & bribery crime in Congressional history. He is, was, and always will be a First Class P.O.S.
Such a sad thing to see I served aboard in 1964 to 1966 as a boiler man went through a yard refit in Brimerton, Wa . I was on the sister ship the Kitty Hawk before the Constellation so knowing what fate has been brought to this mighty ship who was so much a part of so many lives. I hope the salvage will go smooth I wish I could see her again. Steve
I was on her in 75 when it was in the yards at Bellingham .Sail to San Diego later that year . She threw a “ screw” near L.A. spent time in Long Beach to replace it . Spent American Bi- centennial in Diego . Was discharged in January 77 before she was deployed over seas . She was a fine ship .Before I served on her I spent 2 years on the Midway . She was deployed to Yokosuka Japan which was going to be her home port for a few years . That was in ‘73 She was an older but grand lady . I am glad the Navy did not scrap her as they did the Connie . She is now a museum in San. Diego .
Connie was my first ship. I joined her in P-3 Div. Fuel & Water test Lab just as she was pulled out the Bremerton drydock in 75. A thrown screw wasn't the only problem. Puget Sound NSY really screwed up the fuel system overhaul and on the way back to Diego poor Connie was hemorrhaging MD Fuel everywhere inside all the way from the bilges through magazines, berthing compartments & some offices and even into the drinking water tanks. We spent that whole month in the Long Beach drydock working 24/7 port & starboard shifts entering all the fuel tanks with hacksaws to remove the old the rusted out & leaking steam pipes that used to heat the black oil fuel because they were supposed to be removed & welded shut in the yards when the boilers were converted to burn diesel.. And that's not to mention the three thousand fuel transfer valves we had to completely disassemble & repair the stop-seats in because all those corrupt jerks in Bremerton did was remove everything, spray-paint it & put it all back without bothering to machine anything. On the bright, we all got a commendations & I even got my PO-3 Crow out of it. But, on the downside, not long after the Ranger arrived about a week or two before we were supposed to pull out to relieve them on WestPac, since they were departing to Bremerton soon for their own overhaul the Ranger's engineering officer broke bread with Connie's engineering officer, and without bothering to ask how we felt about it, swapped three of us from the Connie oil-lab to the Ranger oil-lab to make sure the same clusterfuck with the fuel system overhaul wouldn't happen again on the Ranger. Not exactly an impressive sea story. Both overhauls & subsequent intensive Ref-Tra. sea trials chewed me up & shat me out without even the satisfaction of getting to go on WestPac Cruise before collecting my honorable and going home with nothing to show for it but a seabag full of oil stained dungarees and collectively two years, nine months and twelve days at sea showing on the DD214. Would I join the Nav & do it again? Probably. But of course, older & wiser I'd definitely do it different. However. For whatever consolation it's worth though. I did finally manage to get to the Philippines when I retired and started living Expat fashion here about twelve years ago. And, while I'm sure all the debaucherous sea stories I heard from shipmates about the place are all true I haven't even bothered to go and have a look at Subic Bay. But. as for seeing the Constellation unceremoniously dragged to the scrappers? All I can say about that is it immediately gave me a gut-wrenching mixture of mixed feelings. Suddenly 18 for a moment, but no-less suddenly feeling as tired & rusty as she looked.
@@ivansimms2802 I was in V-2 division ( cats and gear ) . I didn’t know about the water situation on the Connie when we were in Long Beach . I guess they didn’t want us all to know about that mess . When we did finally get settled in San Diego for a while I made E-5 and was transferred to my division office . I worked directly under an E-9 and quickly learned if I kept him happy I would be happy . Under him he sent me to Philadelphia for advanced flight deck fire fighting , after I heard about it . Then there was the HARP program ( Home Area Recruitment Program ) where I got to go home for a month and “ work “ in my towns local recruiting station . Most of the kids that I talked to were not the kind of guys I would not want on ship . So I did the honorable thing…..I either failed them on tests or sent them over to the Marines 🥴 . Glad you made it too the P.I. That would definitely be a great place to live . I spent many hours in Subic when the Midway was stationed in Japan . But there were plenty of places too visit there . Thanks for your service, and good luck .
@@adorabledeplorable5105 'Honorable thing' indeed! Those homeboys had no idea the favor you did for them steering them out, since at least you didn't sign them up & ship them off to lose their marbles & cherries as engineering snipes on a CV 🤣!
@@ivansimms2802 True ! I would never condemn anyone to the “ snipe “ league. Although it was tempting , but then if I had , I am not sure I could live with the PTSD that would plague me .🥴
Good Bye Big Girl, will miss seeing you visit Sydney Harbour. We Australians fell in love with you. No more watching them try to dock you into Garden Island.
Did a lot of plane guarding for the Connie, many unreps, refueling and more. Was very proud to defend our Country with You. Bravo Zulu mighty lady, Well Done! "Ski", USS Leonard F Mason DD852 In country 68-70.
Thank you CAPT. Sir, I remeber when we came off "Operation Southern Watch" and Ported in Washington State, I fell down to the ground and kissed the pier and a Officer (I wish I knew who he was) said to me "Welcome Home Son." I then went and picked up my Sea Service Riibon and Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, and, a big BBQ was made for us.I would give very much to spend one day on CONNIE again.
Are there any other Connie sailors here who were on her when we made the high speed run from Subic to Yokosuka in 1972? 36.1 Kts top speed! Turnin' and burnin'
It's a sad sight to see A Navy ship Go down Especially the Aircraft Carrier I was on hand in birmington Washington when my ship was put down the USS ranger CV 61 Watching this ship The constellation was our sistership
I enjoyed the time I spent on the Connie from 72-75 in VF-92 fighter squadron. Jimmie B....enjoy your retirement, miss u already, thanks for the good times......
A VERY SAD END FOR A GREAT SHIP WITH A GREAT HISTORY. MANY FINE MEMORIES OF MY TIME ON HER . CONNIE WILL ALWAYS BE MY GIRL!!!! TO ALL THE MEN WHO SAILED HER I SALUTE YOU BOTH !!!!
My favorite cruise (Vietnam, 1964--Connie's air group, of which I was a parachute rigger in VF-142) in August 1964 when we raided several North Vietnam ports, losing one aviator (Richard Sather, RIP) to hostile AAA fire over North Vietnam. God bless everybody who served aboard the beautiful and powerful aircraft carrier and at the time the showboat of US naval aviation power.
Connie was the last carrier grandfather worked on her during construction at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before retiring. He was a marine plumber who started working for the navy in the mid 30s. He passed was in in 1976. I was hoping she would be a museum ship but it wasn’t meant to be.
Why is the hull number obscured on the island but not on the flight deck? Why is it obscured at all? From O'Brien DD-725, I saw a lot of planes take off and land on that flight deck, while sub screening and plane guarding for her on Yankee Station. Long live the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.
You are so missed CONNIE!!!!!! However, you still live in the periodic Dreams that we have at night, when we are walking your decks with our Shipmates and running to General Quarters in The Gulf!!!!!!! We love you!!!!! PS: Prarie I miss you!!!!!!!!
Fresh out of O2N2 school I was assigned to the Connie in late 1980. Instead of being assigned to the Engineering's forward O2N2 plant I was sent on 'collateral duty' with her Master's at Arms force. Not a pleasant tour of duty--but over all, I made tons of friends. Unfortunately I never made a deployment on her due to being hit by a car in early 1981on the way home in Imperial Beach. Its sad to see her go, but nuclear powered carrier seemed to be the wave of the future.
It's a shame to see all these great ships go to the scrap yard. just not right :( I was on the Ranger CV 61 she was my home for a year while attached to VF 2. Thank you for the video
Checking in again in April 2021.... I'll be 68 years old in June, 2021... 50 years have passed....those memories onboard have grown more dear to my heart as the years fly by....She was a fire blasting beast when I served on her off Vietnam...full of life onboard 5 thousand men only....From Pakistan back to the west coast of the USA we roamed when we came back in 1975 they were going to take her to dry dock Washington State to fit her out for the F 16....I went along and took my discharge there ...Big Mistake I should have taken the 10 K they offered me to reup and made a career of it..I'll never remember her like this I will always remember her busting thru huge rollers out to sea in a storm off of the Philippines , Pulling into Oahu for my first look ever at Hawaii and going ashore with my new friends and riding a bus all over the Island then going to watch the new release movie , Poseidon Adventure in 1973 ...Stopping in Japan...dipping below the equator for Shellback fun....Seeing the Indian Ocean...many beautiful sunsets and Flight Ops day and night...Shooting machine guns off the Fantail on the 4th of July at sea..so many good memories all the bad ones mean nothing anymore and have faded away only the friendships made and lost to time and distance stay in my heart...Farewell old Girl I know you are no longer in one piece but maybe your new steel made from your old contains the Soul you showed us young men as we matured on your decks as you carried us along...Thank you Connie I will never forget you.....Mark W....April 12 , 2021.....The USS Drum Fast Attack Sub I was to serve on before Connie is also just a memory now....
As we go through the seven seas we had own the war on terror now we’ve returned home on this carrier it was the last day I asked Sarah my friend on the Shipsaying what’s your plan after we get off and she said I’m off on a new adventure they want me on the USS Nitmiz and the ship USS Connie was returned to port as I looked on the bow on the ship saying wow....What a view! And he return to the bridge and it was our final voyage Now it’s now the time to start over on a new ship Shows the aircraft carrier going off in the distance Directed by George Washington Written by Alan Franklin Music by Thomas Newman
So very strange seeing an empty sponson where my Launcher and Radar's used to be. Sad day to be sure but I'm glad someone had the presence of mind to fly the colors, up there off the TAS platform.
Honor and privilege to have served on her 1978-1981 Boiler Technician 2nd Class. Was always ready to board her and light fires in all eight foster wheeler 1200 psi boilers and get her underway to kick somebody's ass if needed these past 35 years even during her rest in the ghost fleet in Bremington Washington i knew where she was.I feel less safe now that she is gone fair winds Connie but no more following seas.Cold iron for ever.(in order for the screws to turn fires must burn so engineering is a matter of turning and burning) BT creed.A snipe for ever!
I was on the first cruise, in 1962, from Norfolk to Dago, around Cape Horn. I would have shipped over for 100 years, if I could continue to make South American cruises.
I remember that trip around the horn, taking green water over the bow with 70 feet of freeboard... Made ya feel alive and as I remember the only time I was seasick, quite a contrast.
Monique, You done the CONNIE a great deed for the end of another great Carrier. I really hope you'll do one for the Ranger and the last of these great carriers Ex Ranger shipmate
David, thank you for your service----and we aboard the Connie were supposed to be relieved by the USS Ranger who spent most of her time in Yokosuka Naval Shipyards while we spent an interminable amount of time (51 consecutive days at sea in the Gulf of Tonkin) waiting for relief!!
I saw the Connie off Haiti just a few days before that. I was on a tug headed to Puerto Rico. They had been towed all the way from Washington State around Cape Horn. Made me sad to see her go, I remember her from my Navy days
I can't believe that 5 of the 8 conventionally powered super carriers are gone, the fact that none of them became museums amazes me, only the Kitty Hawk still has any chance, the Independence and Kennedy will be next to the scrap yard.
kyokushinkuma at least you have replacements for them, we in the uk would love to have so many flat tops. the us navy is still the worlds greatest..numbers wise. lol
Our government just doesn't understand our sacrifices the years we were aboard it's like watching a house you lived in be condemned. I found the Lord My first wife because of this great ship. I have be led to my destiny so thru these iron walls
🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Even though Connie wasn't my girl it still breaks my heart! It's always been all about the Hawk you know ol CV-63 but it seems she's going to suffer the same fate.... Hey there's always hope CVN 81 it's still unnamed!
Served on her from 67-69 with VF-143. Sad, I was in Tampa when they were talking about taking her there for museum. :( Just don't sent the metal to China.
Admiral, I was onboard 77-81 and served 3 Captains. You were the greatest ever and so glad that you too (also) were selected at the decomissioning as one of two of the speakers. I sent you a letter about 6 months ago with the truth of how your crew loved you and how you LEAD the Connie through everything. GOOD MORNING CONSTELLATION, was always your announcement to the crew. I will let the evil people of social media try and figure out who I am referencing. There are many obvious clues, you were the best and you LOVED your crew, just like we LOVED you. GOD BLESS YOU CAPTAIN AND THE CREW OF THE USS CONSTELLATION. I will always address you as Captain, not for disrespect but HONOR. The CO of America's Flag Ship was a higher Honor than anything else. Birth 10/27/1961
This chokes me up to see the Sister of my Kitty Hawk go to an end of life so cruelly. She was a Bonnie ship and warrior bar none. Fair well brave girl as long as there are sailors that have been your crew you're not forgotten. Unless you served aboard a warship like her y'all wouldn't understand the love that is expressed in these posts. GOD bless the sailors that manned the warships and sail into harms way.
A Div EN 3 Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) 1971-73
Sad to see your girl meet the same fate, Mike. Connie, Ranger, and now the Hawk all gone to the breakers.
RIGHT ON BROTHER - I have the same exact comments on CV63 Kitty Hawk. Please do a look at my posts. Many people called Kitty Hawk, other names and I get in their face. There was nothing ****** about Kitty Hawk. Always did her duty, on time, on station and CV64 is so PROUD of our SISTER. CV63 was a fine ship and I will guarantee you CONNIE sailors SALUTE YOU. I wish of all the ships that were decommissioned they saved either CV63 or 64. The best class of the non-nuclear carriers.
My dad proudly served on the USS Constellation from 1964-1967. Enjoyed hearing his stories about this great ship.
What a ship Connie was, and the many men that sailed her over the many years! Salute to you both! 💪🇺🇸💪🇺🇸
This was my home from 1982 into 1984. I manned her helm many a time and she introduced me to the starriest skies I ever saw on the midnight lookout watch in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Many great memories of youth, my shipmates, adventures on the high seas and ports abroad.
Connie!!!!!!! I MISS YOU!!!!! Walking your decks is a memory that I will never forget!!!!!!!!!! IYAOYAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for this video!!! I proudly served on her from '92 to '94 while she was in Philly during her SLEP period and got to steam her back to San Diego. I started out in 2MMR as an BTFN and left in 4MMR as a BT3. Miss all my shipmates!!! God bless and be with all who proudly served on one of the greatest carriers in the Navy!!!!
I was on her from 1963 to 1967, I arrived as a seaman apprentice and left her as an MM2 from MMR 4
My first ever ship, 1885-1889, this ship was just a beautiful thing! CONSTELLATION lives in the hearts of all of her previous crew. She is missed, she is loved, and never forgotten! Connie is my Girl!
God bless CONNIE and all who served aboard her.
It is sad to see her with no crew, no aircraft, towed to her finale.
A moving video. Thanks from an old CONNIE sailor.
CAPTOFCCVA64 E Division 76-79
CAPTOFCCVA64 great ship good crew
P2 div 3MMR BT
Admiral, I was onboard 77-81 and served 3 Captains. You were the greatest ever and so glad that you too (also) were selected at the decomissioning as one of two of the speakers. I sent you a letter about 6 months ago with the truth of how your crew loved you and how you LEAD the Connie through everything. GOOD MORNING CONSTELLATION, was always your announcement to the crew. I will let the evil people of social media try and figure out who I am referencing. There are many obvious clues, you were the best and you LOVED your crew, just like we LOVED you. GOD BLESS YOU CAPTAIN AND THE CREW OF THE USS CONSTELLATION. I will always address you as Captain, not for disrespect but HONOR. The CO of America's Flag Ship was a higher Honor than anything else. Birth 10/27/1961
I saw her in Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., back in June of 1968. My outfit, Hotel 2/7, 1st Marine Div., had been plucked from bases around DaNang after stopping the Tet Offensive there. We became BLT 2/7, to operate from CH-46 Seaknights off of a helicopter carrier. Sailed the South China Sea on the Valley Forge; a warship with a fine battle history. Transferred to LPH 10 Tripoli, a recent deployment dedicated to Helicopter operations. Seeing the Constellation was a moving experience. Her might and amazing crew cohesiveness was empowering. God bless all who sailed her into and out of harm's way.
A great ship with a courageous history, and those diligent individuals onboard her over the many years. Dieu bénisse dame Connie ! 2021
Was on her for 2 years 84 to 86 3 MMR BT3 great memories and good times made my third westpac on her met some great people not only engineering but from other depts
Onboard the Midway mid 70's and in port Subic Bay, Phillipines when the Connie came into port. Highly unusual 2 carriers in port overseas like that (and crowded bar district). Went onboard to see a buddy stationed on Her, sharp lady & only slightly jealous *..* Ahoy and Saluuute''' Great Lady...
I was on Connie 90=94 made it through slep and around the horn twice, she gave me the best days of my life, thx girl you will be missed .
1973/74 Connie you ll b in my heart forever.sitting on the catwalks during moonlit nites when seas are calm n hearing muffled talks guitar strums n the glow of cigarettes. quite a contrast to the reverbaration of the lady after missiles away. us sailors that served on her have been blessed to do so.farewell Connie.
She was alive and well in SD when I reported to Coronado in 1995. She was quietly sleeping when I came to work here in Bremerton in 2011. And I was here, standing pier-side in Bremerton, watching while she left. While I never served on board, I had many many friends that did. It was still depressing.
Indeed. With my autism I couldn’t enlist I liked and always will the US Navy has an awesome aircraft carrier I appreciate your service god bless the US Navy and future sailors!
Farewell, grand Lady... I saw you when I was a kid in Subic in '76. We both got old...
In subic? i saw a helicopter carrier there i thing the name is hornet or something? Idk
It was a Documentary featuring the Constellation in the late 80's that started my love of aviation and of the F-14 Tomcat. I still watch that documentary on RUclips. Sad to learn she's been broken up.
My first Carrier.....two West Pac Cruises, a North Pac Cruise and various work ups while attached to VF 21 FREELANCERS F14A TOMCAT SQUADRON.....FROM 1986 THRU 1989.....I WAS ATTACHED TO the Line Shack and then POWER PLANTS...GOD BLESS ALL MY NAVY BROTHERS.....AND SISTERS.....I'VE Went on to retired from The Navy in 2005......
She's a beautiful girl the Connie.....I miss her so many memories
Great video of the Connie arriving in Brownsville. I served on USS Ponchatoula in 1966 - 1967. She also arrived in Brownsville last summer for scrapping. She's all gone but the photos and the memories. We managed to acquire artifacts for a USS Ponchatoula Memorial that's being built in Ponchatoula Louisiana. The dedication is scheduled for 16 May, 2015 @ 10 am
Thank you, Monique, for sharing this video. It was very hard to watch, yet for this Connie sailor unavoidable. You couldn't have chosen a better song to go with it. Even my children were silent while watching, knowing that Dad was saddened to see his former love go. Fair winds, Connie.
My father served on the Constellation from 64-67. She will be missed.
I got to do a private tour of her as a teen when she was in sydney in the 90s. Our guide was a backseater in an a6 , i think his callsign was ' munster ' , really nice guy , spent a good maybe 2hrs showing us around and answering questions. Was a great experience and one i wont forget.
CV-64 was my first ship, 2000-2003. I was an MMFA assigned to 1 Aux machinery room. Westpac 2001 was great fun. We left Hawaii back to San Diego on Sep 9 2001 with a load of family and friends for Tiger Cruise. Then shit happened. I was sleeping in my rack when I got woke up and heard about it. It's been over 20 years now, and I just turned into dust and blew away on the wind as I watched this video. Damn.
My dad served three tours overseas good ol Connie I been from the bottom all the way to the flight deck Coronado Island
Thank you Connie!!!!!!!! I still have nice dreams that I am walking your decks.
Thank you for the video! USS Constellation CVA-64, M Division MMR#4, 1963-1967 MM2
I reported aboard in 1973 as a IC Man...what a ride did not know it at the time...2 tours off Nam then rode her to dry dock Washington State got out Jan 1976....lots of adventures she gave this young man and friends onboard...now I sit here at 65 and watch her like this...sad...
Checking in again in April 2021.... I'll be 68 years old in June, 2021... 50 years have passed....those memories onboard have grown more dear to my heart as the years fly by....She was a fire blasting beast when I served on her off Vietnam...full of life onboard 5 thousand men only....From Pakistan back to the west coast of the USA we roamed when we came back in 1975 they were going to take her to dry dock Washington State to fit her out for the F 16....I went along and took my discharge there ...Big Mistake I should have taken the 10 K they offered me to reup and made a career of it..I'll never remember her like this I will always remember her busting thru huge rollers out to sea in a storm off of the Philippines , Pulling into Oahu for my first look ever at Hawaii and going ashore with my new friends and riding a bus all over the Island then going to watch the new release movie , Poseidon Adventure in 1973 ...Stopping in Japan...dipping below the equator for Shellback fun....Seeing the Indian Ocean...many beautiful sunsets and Flight Ops day and night...Shooting machine guns off the Fantail on the 4th of July at sea..so many good memories all the bad ones mean nothing anymore and have faded away only the friendships made and lost to time and distance stay in my heart...Farewell old Girl I know you are no longer are in one piece but maybe your new steel made from your old contains the Soul you showed us young men as we matured on your decks as you carried us along...Thank you Connie I will never forget you.....Mark W....April 12 , 2021
I was on her from 93 to 98, R-Div, Pipe and Weld Shops. Of my two ships over my 20 year career, Connie was my favorite. Lots of memories, good and bad times, fun and not so fun. Connie was a living, breathing, sea prowling, ass kicking, work of art. I can still hear her, feel her, and smell her. She made me proud to call myself a sailor.
Connie could be a mean girl. 84-88 my first boat.
1969 -1972. My home
May this beloved ship rest in peace. If anyone would like to see, I gave the USS Ranger CV61 her final fly over last year, I took a short video of one of the circles around. I took dozens more pictures though.
I did visit the USS Constellation at Sydney harbor in 1995. Had a great time aboard.
Thank you Monique. Perfect.
My Ship..... Salute! You will be missed!!
1980-82 1st and 2nd div ... 110 days. Bye Ole Girl and thanks from yet another ole Connie sailor!
She was the first ship I reported to when I got out of A school in 1989. Spent one month bouncing around the Pacific and Indian Oceans catching up to her. Finished Westpac 89 and returned to SD. She went into SLEP but I cross-decked to the Independence. GOD how young I was!!
Michael Garrett
Michael Garrett let independent birth of the flames out of her come a strong navy
Michael Garrett I drawing your Aircraft Carrier the USS Constellation CVA 64 he is a Kitty Hawk Class Aircraft Carrier as a sovienier I'll send on my FB
Michael Garrett I was on her from mid 75 to early 77 . I know all about that “ old “ feeling .
I grew up on this girl!! Boarded her at 17 years old. 3 cruises and many other ops.
I still have a poster of her in my office!!
@@SuperMcstorm So do I.
seeing her like that makes me sad, but that's how she started out at 40 some odd years ago she took care of us and I thank you USS Constellation CV-64
I'll be moving soon, the day they say is near
Has been a long time, yet I have no fear.
I've known for quite a spell this day would come,
this day that I would break ties and head for the Sun.
Many years I've rested, a rest needed yet not desired you see,
for I just want to continue to serve, to keep my country free.
I've sat here so quiet, within my hull silence echos with no end,
no screaming turbines, no catapult offered for a jet to send.
No orders from the bridge to get that headwind right,
no Tomcats to send into an unknown fight.
Nothing more than memories of the sights, aroma and sounds, I know,
Are all I have now to take with me as the darkness begins to grow.
I have been home to countless thousands in all my years of devotion,
my walls of steel providing them all the security needed,
That that those thousands gave for my country to keep me in motion.
As my lines are cut for the very last time I ask of those who've set foot upon me,
Do not grieve my demise, yet celebrate what you've made me.
MM1 John Petersen
Heart felt. Only the best!!
Damn. BM2 CV62 1977-79. Know the feeling.
I worked in number 2 main machinery room number 2 as a conventional Machinist mate from August '77 to August '81. I sure miss her. Had a hell of a good time on her.
Absolutely beautiful, Monique.....your videos on Constellation and Saratoga are just wonderful. Ranger should be leaving Bremerton soon heading for Brownsville and Im sure you will produce another great video......thanks again.
I think that the music only serves to make it even sadder.
So sad..the only Navy aces of the Viet Nam war flew off of her decks in May 1972, Randy Cunningham and Willie Driscoll
Sadder yet, cunning ham spent 8 years in Federal Prison for the biggest one-man contractor fraud & bribery crime in Congressional history. He is, was, and always will be a First Class P.O.S.
I WAS ON HER BACK THEN AQ2 MET THEM BOTH. A PRETTY GOOD SHIP TO SAY THE LEAST GREAT CREW AS WELL....
first of our pilots shot down in Vietnam, Lt. Alverez flew with VA-144, friend of my Dad's while he was on board
Such a sad thing to see I served aboard in 1964 to 1966 as a boiler man went through a yard refit in Brimerton, Wa . I was on the sister ship the Kitty Hawk before the Constellation so knowing what fate has been brought to this mighty ship who was so much a part of so many lives. I hope the salvage will go smooth I wish I could see her again. Steve
I was on her in 75 when it was in the yards at Bellingham .Sail to San Diego later that year . She threw a “ screw” near L.A. spent time in Long Beach to replace it .
Spent American Bi- centennial in Diego . Was discharged in January 77 before she was deployed over seas . She was a fine ship .Before I served on her I spent 2 years on the Midway . She was deployed to Yokosuka Japan which was going to be her home port for a few years . That was in ‘73 She was an older but grand lady . I am glad the Navy did not scrap her as they did the Connie . She is now a museum in San. Diego .
Connie was my first ship.
I joined her in P-3 Div. Fuel & Water test Lab just as she was pulled out the Bremerton drydock in 75.
A thrown screw wasn't the only problem.
Puget Sound NSY really screwed up the fuel system overhaul and on the way back to Diego poor Connie was hemorrhaging MD Fuel everywhere inside all the way from the bilges through magazines, berthing compartments & some offices and even into the drinking water tanks.
We spent that whole month in the Long Beach drydock working 24/7 port & starboard shifts entering all the fuel tanks with hacksaws to remove the old the rusted out & leaking steam pipes that used to heat the black oil fuel because they were supposed to be removed & welded shut in the yards when the boilers were converted to burn diesel..
And that's not to mention the three thousand fuel transfer valves we had to completely disassemble & repair the stop-seats in because all those corrupt jerks in Bremerton did was remove everything, spray-paint it & put it all back without bothering to machine anything.
On the bright, we all got a commendations & I even got my PO-3 Crow out of it.
But, on the downside,
not long after the Ranger arrived about a week or two before we were supposed to pull out to relieve them on WestPac,
since they were departing to Bremerton soon for their own overhaul the Ranger's engineering officer broke bread with Connie's engineering officer, and without bothering to ask how we felt about it,
swapped three of us from the Connie oil-lab to the Ranger oil-lab to make sure the same clusterfuck with the fuel system overhaul wouldn't happen again on the Ranger.
Not exactly an impressive sea story.
Both overhauls & subsequent intensive Ref-Tra. sea trials chewed me up & shat me out without even the satisfaction of getting to go on WestPac Cruise before collecting my honorable and going home with nothing to show for it but a seabag full of oil stained dungarees and collectively two years, nine months and twelve days at sea showing on the DD214.
Would I join the Nav & do it again?
Probably.
But of course, older & wiser I'd definitely do it different.
However.
For whatever consolation it's worth though.
I did finally manage to get to the Philippines when I retired and started living Expat fashion here about twelve years ago.
And,
while I'm sure all the debaucherous sea stories I heard from shipmates about the place are all true I haven't even bothered to go and have a look at Subic Bay.
But.
as for seeing the Constellation unceremoniously dragged to the scrappers?
All I can say about that is it immediately gave me a gut-wrenching mixture of mixed feelings.
Suddenly 18 for a moment, but no-less suddenly feeling as tired & rusty as she looked.
@@ivansimms2802 I was in V-2 division ( cats and gear ) . I didn’t know about the water situation on the Connie when we were in Long Beach . I guess they didn’t want us all to know about that mess .
When we did finally get settled in San Diego for a while I made E-5 and was transferred to my division office . I worked directly under an E-9 and quickly learned if I kept him happy I would be happy . Under him he sent me to Philadelphia for advanced flight deck fire fighting , after I heard about it .
Then there was the HARP program ( Home Area Recruitment Program ) where I got to go home for a month and “ work “ in my towns local recruiting station . Most of the kids that I talked to were not the kind of guys I would not want on ship . So I did the honorable thing…..I either failed them on tests or sent them over to the Marines 🥴 .
Glad you made it too the P.I.
That would definitely be a great place to live . I spent many hours in Subic when the Midway was stationed in Japan . But there were plenty of places too visit there .
Thanks for your service, and good luck .
@@adorabledeplorable5105
'Honorable thing' indeed!
Those homeboys had no idea the favor you did for them steering them out,
since at least you didn't sign them up & ship them off to lose their marbles & cherries as engineering snipes on a CV 🤣!
@@ivansimms2802 True ! I would never condemn anyone to the “ snipe “ league. Although it was tempting , but then if I had , I am not sure I could live with the PTSD that would plague me .🥴
Good Bye Big Girl, will miss seeing you visit Sydney Harbour. We Australians fell in love with you. No more watching them try to dock you into Garden Island.
Made my cry. That is my boat.
Went on a tour of this ship on 94’ at Pearl Harbor. Was pretty sick. Sad it’s gone.
Did a lot of plane guarding for the Connie, many unreps, refueling and more. Was very proud to defend our Country with You. Bravo Zulu mighty lady, Well Done! "Ski", USS Leonard F Mason DD852 In country 68-70.
Thank you CAPT. Sir, I remeber when we came off "Operation Southern Watch" and Ported in Washington State, I fell down to the ground and kissed the pier and a Officer (I wish I knew who he was) said to me "Welcome Home Son." I then went and picked up my Sea Service Riibon and Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, and, a big BBQ was made for us.I would give very much to spend one day on CONNIE again.
GOD BLESS MY SHIPMATES!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
She was one of the greatest war ships that I served on amen !!!!!!!
My favorite of the six aircraft carriers I served aboard (all attached to air group)....Vietnam cruise 1964 (first raids on North Vietnam). RIP.
Steven Horsell amen brother
I really didn't expect to get choked up over this, but I did.
AQ6 AIMD 1977-81
Are there any other Connie sailors here who were on her when we made the high speed run from Subic to Yokosuka in 1972? 36.1 Kts top speed! Turnin' and burnin'
I was on her then also.... but i remember from the line to Subic. My rack shook all night .... Ht 3 Rhoades pipe shop 71 to 73
It's a sad sight to see A Navy ship Go down Especially the Aircraft Carrier I was on hand in birmington Washington when my ship was put down the USS ranger CV 61 Watching this ship The constellation was our sistership
I enjoyed the time I spent on the Connie from 72-75 in VF-92 fighter squadron. Jimmie B....enjoy your retirement, miss u already, thanks for the good times......
My dad served on this during vietnam.
A VERY SAD END FOR A GREAT SHIP WITH A GREAT HISTORY. MANY FINE MEMORIES OF MY TIME ON HER . CONNIE WILL ALWAYS BE MY GIRL!!!! TO ALL THE MEN WHO SAILED HER I SALUTE YOU BOTH !!!!
Pleasure to served you... 85-87, Westpac 85, rimpacs and many underways...V-1 Div, Fly 3. Farewell " Connie"
My favorite cruise (Vietnam, 1964--Connie's air group, of which I was a parachute rigger in VF-142) in August 1964 when we raided several North Vietnam ports, losing one aviator (Richard Sather, RIP) to hostile AAA fire over North Vietnam. God bless everybody who served aboard the beautiful and powerful aircraft carrier and at the time the showboat of US naval aviation power.
My home for 3 years 72-75 . How sad
Sad day for sure. I miss my Connie.
Connie was the last carrier grandfather worked on her during construction at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before retiring. He was a marine plumber who started working for the navy in the mid 30s. He passed was in in 1976. I was hoping she would be a museum ship but it wasn’t meant to be.
Was on CV-64 during the 71-72 West Pac Cruise. VA-165. Good times. Parky, AQ1 USN 67-77
I lived on that ship for 4 years...
Our Girl Connie
So sad to see her go. I was aboard her during a Yard period in Bremerton, WA 1975.
Why is the hull number obscured on the island but not on the flight deck? Why is it obscured at all? From O'Brien DD-725, I saw a lot of planes take off and land on that flight deck, while sub screening and plane guarding for her on Yankee Station. Long live the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.
You are so missed CONNIE!!!!!! However, you still live in the periodic Dreams that we have at night, when we are walking your decks with our Shipmates and running to General Quarters in The Gulf!!!!!!! We love you!!!!! PS: Prarie I miss you!!!!!!!!
V-1 Division, 83-86. I have a five pound piece of the flight deck here with me. God bless the grand lady.
I was known as "Duck" in CVIC from Dec '75 to Dec '80. Never knew how much I'd miss the old girl...
Remember XO Bob Pearl? Who was CO @ the time? My hubby was the lawyer on board. We were introduced by Bob Pearl's wife. remember the Bi-Centennial?
Fresh out of O2N2 school I was assigned to the Connie in late 1980. Instead of being assigned to the Engineering's forward O2N2 plant I was sent on 'collateral duty' with her Master's at Arms force. Not a pleasant tour of duty--but over all, I made tons of friends. Unfortunately I never made a deployment on her due to being hit by a car in early 1981on the way home in Imperial Beach. Its sad to see her go, but nuclear powered carrier seemed to be the wave of the future.
VF96, fire control shop. Called it home and road her to the Persian Gulf and Pakistan in 1974.
It's a shame to see all these great ships go to the scrap yard. just not right :( I was on the Ranger CV 61 she was my home for a year while attached to VF 2. Thank you for the video
Checking in again in April 2021.... I'll be 68 years old in June, 2021... 50 years have passed....those memories onboard have grown more dear to my heart as the years fly by....She was a fire blasting beast when I served on her off Vietnam...full of life onboard 5 thousand men only....From Pakistan back to the west coast of the USA we roamed when we came back in 1975 they were going to take her to dry dock Washington State to fit her out for the F 16....I went along and took my discharge there ...Big Mistake I should have taken the 10 K they offered me to reup and made a career of it..I'll never remember her like this I will always remember her busting thru huge rollers out to sea in a storm off of the Philippines , Pulling into Oahu for my first look ever at Hawaii and going ashore with my new friends and riding a bus all over the Island then going to watch the new release movie , Poseidon Adventure in 1973 ...Stopping in Japan...dipping below the equator for Shellback fun....Seeing the Indian Ocean...many beautiful sunsets and Flight Ops day and night...Shooting machine guns off the Fantail on the 4th of July at sea..so many good memories all the bad ones mean nothing anymore and have faded away only the friendships made and lost to time and distance stay in my heart...Farewell old Girl I know you are no longer in one piece but maybe your new steel made from your old contains the Soul you showed us young men as we matured on your decks as you carried us along...Thank you Connie I will never forget you.....Mark W....April 12 , 2021.....The USS Drum Fast Attack Sub I was to serve on before Connie is also just a memory now....
had buds on this ship, used to go visit and got to check out a couple of engine rooms too!mm2 on Tripoli lph 10 stein ff 1065 and Dixon as 37
My father served on Connie. He was in the navy from 70-74, Machinists Mate....
I was a machinist mate on her from Aug '77 to Aug '81.
As we go through the seven seas we had own the war on terror now we’ve returned home on this carrier it was the last day I asked Sarah my friend on the Shipsaying what’s your plan after we get off and she said I’m off on a new adventure they want me on the USS Nitmiz and the ship USS Connie was returned to port as I looked on the bow on the ship saying wow....What a view! And he return to the bridge and it was our final voyage Now it’s now the time to start over on a new ship
Shows the aircraft carrier going off in the distance
Directed by George Washington
Written by Alan Franklin
Music by Thomas Newman
I served aboard from '79-'82, G-1 Div. IYAOYAN
I helped rebuild your boilers and engine room equipment in the early 80's. Saw your Kitty Hawk parts in the Boiler room.
So very strange seeing an empty sponson where my Launcher and Radar's used to be. Sad day to be sure but I'm glad someone had the presence of mind to fly the colors, up there off the TAS platform.
The music is not necessary to tell this story.
Sometimes silence is golden as it tells the story.
I think this is the perfect music for this video
I agree...
I agree...
Honor and privilege to have served on her 1978-1981 Boiler Technician 2nd Class. Was always ready to board her and light fires in all eight foster wheeler 1200 psi boilers and get her underway to kick somebody's ass if needed these past 35 years even during her rest in the ghost fleet in Bremington Washington i knew where she was.I feel less safe now that she is gone fair winds Connie but no more following seas.Cold iron for ever.(in order for the screws to turn fires must burn so engineering is a matter of turning and burning) BT creed.A snipe for ever!
Same as me Ingot saved the first year on her thanksgiving 1979
I was a MM in 2 main '77 to '81. I think I remember you.
I was on the first cruise, in 1962, from Norfolk to Dago, around Cape Horn. I would have shipped over for 100 years, if I could continue to make South American cruises.
Sweet trip. How was the weather 'round the Cape?
I remember that trip around the horn, taking green water over the bow with 70 feet of freeboard... Made ya feel alive and as I remember the only time I was seasick, quite a contrast.
I was on the first shake down cruise in the Carribean. We were in Gitmo alongside
the Enterprise. Don't remember the year. Getting old.
Monique, You done the CONNIE a great deed for the end of another great Carrier. I really hope you'll do one for the Ranger and the last of these great carriers
Ex Ranger shipmate
David, thank you for your service----and we aboard the Connie were supposed to be relieved by the USS Ranger who spent most of her time in Yokosuka Naval Shipyards while we spent an interminable amount of time (51 consecutive days at sea in the Gulf of Tonkin) waiting for relief!!
It’s a shame, she still looks good to go.
I saw the Connie off Haiti just a few days before that. I was on a tug headed to Puerto Rico. They had been towed all the way from Washington State around Cape Horn.
Made me sad to see her go, I remember her from my Navy days
I served on the connie 80-84 v-4 div. sad to see her go to the scrap yard.
tom lynn I also served V-4 div. 89-93 grape below decks
Made my last Navy deployment on the Connie mid 90’s
It's a shame all the old carriers are gone. I built a lot of models of these. 😥
I can't believe that 5 of the 8 conventionally powered super carriers are gone, the fact that none of them became museums amazes me, only the Kitty Hawk still has any chance, the Independence and Kennedy will be next to the scrap yard.
kyokushinkuma at least you have replacements for them, we in the uk would love to have so many flat tops. the us navy is still the worlds greatest..numbers wise. lol
guy willoughby you should see if still have available lean or give them to great Britain
It would be better than scraping them , so sad.
Our government just doesn't understand our sacrifices the years we were aboard it's like watching a house you lived in be condemned. I found the Lord My first wife because of this great ship. I have be led to my destiny so thru these iron walls
Our once great navy. Down to what, under 300 ships?
+Joseph Griego 272. By 1945 we had 6,084 in 1944.
Not anymore!!!!!!! Trump 2020.
🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Even though Connie wasn't my girl it still breaks my heart! It's always been all about the Hawk you know ol CV-63 but it seems she's going to suffer the same fate.... Hey there's always hope CVN 81 it's still unnamed!
So long old girl.
how many carriers are at brownsville now? 4-5?
sailed with her for two tours in the 90s RM convert to IT2
I SALUTE ALL THE LADIES WHO SAILED HER AS WELL !!! CONNIE WAS THEIR GIRL TOO !!
Served on her from 67-69 with VF-143. Sad, I was in Tampa when they were talking about taking her there for museum. :( Just don't sent the metal to China.
Weps Dept, G-2 Div. she was a fine ship.