Woke up this morning and something told me to take look at my father's old navy books. Come to find out he was on the USS- Ranger CV-61 1961-62. My father was 18 years old at the time. Watching this video gives me goose bumps. Thanks for taking the time to make this great video I greatly appreciate it. RIP Arthur R. Wickersham US Navy (1944-1978)
I was on the Ranger from January 1969 till Dec 1971. I was in communications, CR division. You walked right by main communications on your walk to front of the ship on Tour #3. You walked right through our berthing area. Wish you would have gone inside main communications. Thanks for the tour. But for your tour, I would have nothing but memories because they are going to scrap her. Ashley Burleson
John has another video called Dirty Tour USS Ranger #3 that he actually goes into Radio #1 but misidentifies FACCON as "forward air control" in case you are interested.
@5:00 that is their history patch, just showing bi-planes because that was their FIRST plane the squadron used many years ago, WAY before the Ranger. Great set of videos you made, a treasure, loved the tour!
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.
I lived aft on the 03 level, V-1 Berthing, wish you could have shown that, had some nice are work on the berthing lounge wall, that we painted. The escalator was cool too, use to slide down it and hope to not get caught lol
The forecastle is were the anchor chains are stored, the Minutemen crest and on the deck the words "The Top Gun of the Pacific" and the gym, also in the forward bow area.
Not to nit pick, but this space is Secondary Control, or to us...... Sec Conn, ........Aux Conn is the structure off the superstructure. My GQ Station...SecConn...1JV Quartermaster........had the misfortune to experience GQ for real several times.....and verbal traffic can be stressful......but very educational........
I was there on the Jan 18th and I never felt worse about anything in my entire life it might very well be the first time I experienced failure. I didnt take it well. I didnt take it poorly either, but it sucked. Until the battle of Mogadishu, its a good thing I wasnt in charge or that city would have been turned back into sand.
And...Sec Conn was where Charts and Publications were Stored and Maintained, and updated by Navigation Personal, and the only Port Holes on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier....I took some great photos of planes loaded w/bombs and missiles being launched to N,Vietnam (Yankee Station) from these Port Holes. (if you like looking up afterburner f-4s.....) (Sorry)
I remember the escalator! I seem to recall it ran from the Mess Deck up a couple decks to the O3 level (which was the deck where most of the air wing's O-level maintenance personnel were berthed. I think my berthing compartment for the cruise was O3-244-1L, although I was berthed in three or four other compartments during the work-ups and carrier quals.
I walked past this ship for years before she was towed out. I always wondered what those portholes were for on the bow. Axillary con! Mystery solved thanks to your video. I can still see some of the ships from this video from my office. How did you get on-board? Are you working for NAVSEA... which I can also see from my office? ;)
I think all ships should have an open house before scrapping. Unless you serve you don’t know what a big part of your life it is. How did this guy get in this ship??????
Great videos!!! Does anyone know where the Commanders beautiful wood paneled office was that is seen in Top Gun? The office where Cougar turns in his wings.
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.
Woke up this morning and something told me to take look at my father's old navy books. Come to find out he was on the USS- Ranger CV-61 1961-62. My father was 18 years old at the time. Watching this video gives me goose bumps. Thanks for taking the time to make this great video I greatly appreciate it. RIP Arthur R. Wickersham US Navy (1944-1978)
I was on the Ranger from January 1969 till Dec 1971. I was in communications, CR division. You walked right by main communications on your walk to front of the ship on Tour #3. You walked right through our berthing area. Wish you would have gone inside main communications. Thanks for the tour. But for your tour, I would have nothing but memories because they are going to scrap her.
Ashley Burleson
John has another video called Dirty Tour USS Ranger #3 that he actually goes into Radio #1 but misidentifies FACCON as "forward air control" in case you are interested.
@5:00 that is their history patch, just showing bi-planes because that was their FIRST plane the squadron used many years ago, WAY before the Ranger. Great set of videos you made, a treasure, loved the tour!
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.
Glad you liked it, sorry you had to re-vist hell! :-)
Christian Dorr Are you talking about the shop called Foreward IC?
I lived aft on the 03 level, V-1 Berthing, wish you could have shown that, had some nice are work on the berthing lounge wall, that we painted. The escalator was cool too, use to slide down it and hope to not get caught lol
The forecastle is were the anchor chains are stored, the Minutemen crest and on the deck the words "The Top Gun of the Pacific" and the gym, also in the forward bow area.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Not to nit pick, but this space is Secondary Control, or to us...... Sec Conn, ........Aux Conn is the structure off the superstructure. My GQ Station...SecConn...1JV Quartermaster........had the misfortune to experience GQ for real several times.....and verbal traffic can be stressful......but very educational........
I would have loved to have one last opportunity to walk around the Saratoga like this. I miss the old girl.
of course they had better chow! lol I remember when they changed over to the Sh-60's, that was a culture shock lol
I was there on the Jan 18th and I never felt worse about anything in my entire life it might very well be the first time I experienced failure. I didnt take it well. I didnt take it poorly either, but it sucked. Until the battle of Mogadishu, its a good thing I wasnt in charge or that city would have been turned back into sand.
I’m sorry our ship is gone now but thank you for your service
My dad was on this ship
And...Sec Conn was where Charts and Publications were Stored and Maintained, and updated by Navigation Personal, and the only Port Holes on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier....I took some great photos of planes loaded w/bombs and missiles being launched to N,Vietnam (Yankee Station) from these Port Holes. (if you like looking up afterburner f-4s.....) (Sorry)
Some feat of engineering 👍
I remember the escalator! I seem to recall it ran from the Mess Deck up a couple decks to the O3 level (which was the deck where most of the air wing's O-level maintenance personnel were berthed. I think my berthing compartment for the cruise was O3-244-1L, although I was berthed in three or four other compartments during the work-ups and carrier quals.
Where was the escalator on the ranger? we didn't have one on the Enterprise.
You actually remembered your berthing compartment no. Good memory
Ships company, 2nd deck, much quieter! LOL
Two, one forward and one aft, both off the mess decks, 2nd deck to 03 level!
I remember them, good guys, we had a memorial for them out to sea, very sad that it happened
God bless you petty officer Adam's thank you. I'm the perk. 1st div paintlocker.
X
Hallway? What Navy were you in? It's a passageway.
Any mention of the always enjoyable knee knockers and shin busters?
I walked past this ship for years before she was towed out. I always wondered what those portholes were for on the bow. Axillary con! Mystery solved thanks to your video. I can still see some of the ships from this video from my office.
How did you get on-board? Are you working for NAVSEA... which I can also see from my office? ;)
Spent to much time on museum ships! LOL
Awesome video thank you.
To bad they scraped her
I don't remember the coral sea having an escalator
Everyone knows that the front of the ship is the pointy part.
I think all ships should have an open house before scrapping. Unless you serve you don’t know what a big part of your life it is. How did this guy get in this ship??????
Great videos!!! Does anyone know where the Commanders beautiful wood paneled office was that is seen in Top Gun? The office where Cougar turns in his wings.
03 level Admirals passageway Starboard
Damn I forgot about the escalator
What was the escalator on the Ranger for anyway?
Take the pilots, loaded with gear up to the 03 level. Some of the ready rooms were on the 2nd deck.
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.