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US Navy - Aircraft Carrier
CVA 62 / CV 62 - USS Independence
 
uss independence cv-62 insignia crest patch forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy 02x uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy 49x
08/26
Type, class: Aircraft Carrier, CVA, CV; Forrestal class
Builder: New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York, USA
 
STATUS:
Awarded: July 2, 1954
Laid down: July 1, 1955
Launched: June 6, 1958
Commissioned: January 10, 1959
Decommissioned: September 30, 1998

Fate:
1998-2004: in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), Bremerton, Washington
March 8, 2004: stricken from the Naval Vessel Register
2004-2017: laid up at Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Bremerton, Washington
March 10, 2017 - May 30, 2017: towed from Puget Sound, Washington to Brownsville, Texas via the Strait of Magellan
Scrapping completed by early 2019
Namesake: Independence
Ships Motto: Freedom's Flagship
Technical Data: see: INFO > Forrestal class Aircraft Carrier
 
 
 Deployments / Carrier Air Wings embarked + major overhauls:
  
April 1959 - July 1959 with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - shakedown cruise - Caribbean Sea
August 1960 - March 1961  with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
August 1961 - December 1961 with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
April 1962 - August 1962  with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
October 1962 - November 1962 with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - Caribbean Sea
August 1963 - March 1964  with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
September 1964 - November 1964 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea
May 1965 - December 1965 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Vietnam War
June 1966 - February 1967 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
April 1968 - January 1969 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
September 1969 - October 1969 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - North Atlantic Ocean
June 1970 - January 1971 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
September 1971 - March 1972 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
June 1973 - January 1974 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
July 1974 - January 1975 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
October 1975 - April 1976 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea
March 1977 - October 1977 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
November 1978 - December 1978 with Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) embarked - Atlantic Ocean
June 1979 - December 1979 with Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
November 1980 - June 1981 with Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) embarked - Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean
June 1982 - December 1982 with Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
October 1983 - April 1984 with Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) embarked - Mediterranean Sea
October 1984 - February 1985 with Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) embarked - Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean
April 1985 - June 1988: Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
August 1988 - October 1988 with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) embarked - homeport change - Norfolk to San Diego
April 1990 - May 1990 with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 90
June 1990 - December 1990 with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf
August 1991 with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) embarked - carrier transfer - San Diego to Hawaii
August 1991 - September 1991 with Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) embarked - carrier transfer - Hawaii to Yokosuka, Japan

September 1991 - July 1998
permanently forward deployed to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan
with Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) assigned

July 1998 with Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) embarked - carrier transfer - Yokosuka to Hawaii
July 1998 - August 1998 with Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) embarked - carrier transfer - Hawaii to USA
 
decommissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington on September 30, 1998
 
 
images

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier departing puget sound washington for scrap brownsville texas march 2017
departing Puget Sound, Bremerton, Washington for her final journey to Brownsville, Texas for scrapping - March 10, 2017

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier decommissioning ceremony puget sound naval shipyard bremerton washington 1998 135
decommissioning ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington - September 30, 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy decommissioning ceremony bremerton september 1998
decommissioning ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington - September 30, 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier naval station pearl harbor hawaii rimpac 1998 132
with CVW-9 embarked - moored at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier exercise rimpac 1998 pearl harbor 134
with CVW-9 embarked - moored alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier arriving naval station pearl harbor hawaii rimpac 1998 133
with CVW-9 embarked - arriving at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC 98 - July 17, 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier departing yokosuka fleet activities japan final time 1998
departing Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan for the final time - July 7, 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 operation southern watch 1998 130
with CVW-5 embarked - Operation Southern Watch - May 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air traffic control center catcc persian gulf 1998 129
Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) - Persian Gulf - March 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier combat direction center cdc persian gulf 126
Combat Direction Center (CDC) - Persian Gulf - March 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier combat direction center cdc 127
Combat Direction Center (CDC) - Persian Gulf - March 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier persian gulf 1998 128
Persian Gulf - March 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier operation southern watch 125
with CVW-5 embarked - Operation Southern Watch - February 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier fleet activities yokosuka japan 1998 124
Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - January 1998

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier president william bill clinton yokosuka 1996
President William "Bill" Clinton visits USS Independence - Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - April 17, 1996

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 1996 122
with CVW-5 embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 1996

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 taiwan 1996 121
with CVW-5 embarked - off Taiwan - March 1996

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 1994 119
with CVW-5 embarked - Pacific Ocean - August 1994

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier operation southern watch 1992 118
with CVW-5 embarked - Operation Southern Watch - September 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 southern watch 1992 117
with CVW-5 embarked - Operation Southern Watch - September 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 sydney australia 1992 114
Sydney, Australia - May 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier sydney australia visit 1992 113
Sydney, Australia - May 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 115
Sydney, Australia - May 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 operation desert shield 1992 109
with CVW-5 embarked - US 5th Fleet AOR - Operation Desert Shield - April 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier operation desert shield 1992 112
with CVW-5 embarked - US 5th Fleet AOR - Operation Desert Shield - April 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 111
with CVW-5 embarked - US 5th Fleet AOR - Operation Desert Shield - April 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 desert shield 108
with CVW-5 embarked - US 5th Fleet AOR - Operation Desert Shield - April 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 110
with CVW-5 embarked - US 5th Fleet AOR - Operation Desert Shield - April 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 naval base subic bay philippines 1992 106
with CVW-5 embarked - departing Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines - March 1992
NOTE: Naval Base Subic Bay officially closed and handed over to the Philippine Government on November 24, 1992
uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier departing naval base subic bay philippines final time 1992 105
with CVW-5 embarked - departing Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines - March 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 120
with CVW-5 embarked - departing Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines - March 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier naval base subic bay philippines 1992 107
with CVW-5 embarked - final port visit at Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines - March 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 104
with CVW-5 embarked - final port visit at Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines - March 1992

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier arriving yokosuka japan new homeport 1991 101
arriving at her new homeport, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - September 11, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier fleet activities yokosuka japan arriving 100
arriving at her new homeport, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - September 11, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 arriving yokosuka new homeport 1991 102
arriving at her new homeport, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - September 11, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 103
arriving at her new homeport, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - September 11, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing swap 1991 92
the great Carrier Air Wing Swap exercise at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 22-28, 1991
CVW-5 squadrons swapped to USS Independence while CVW-14 squadrons swapped to USS Midway.
As part of the change, the Independence added the F-14 squadrons VF-21 and VF-154 (replacing VFA-151 which used the F/A-18A)
as well as the S-3B Viking squadron VS-21. USS Midway returned to US and USS Independence took over as forward deployed carrier.

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing swap uss midway cv-41 hawaii 95
USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Midway (CV 41) during the Carrier Air Wing Swap at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing swap 1991 uss midway cv-41 97
USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Midway (CV 41) during the Carrier Air Wing Swap at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier uss midway cv-41 swap 1991 98
USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Midway (CV 41) during the Carrier Air Wing Swap at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier naval station pearl harbor hawaii air wing swap 1991 96
USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Midway (CV 41) during the Carrier Air Wing Swap at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-5 94
USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Midway (CV 41) during the Carrier Air Wing Swap at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier departing san diego for yokosuka 1991 90
departing San Diego, California for her journey to Yokosuka, Japan via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 5, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier departing san diego 1991 hawaii yokosuka
departing San Diego, California for her journey to Yokosuka, Japan via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 5, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy san diego 99
departing San Diego, California for her journey to Yokosuka, Japan via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 5, 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier nas north island san diego 1991 89
at NAS North Island, California - 1991

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 1990 86
with CVW-14 embarked - Pacific Ocean - December 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 85
with CVW-14 embarked - Pacific Ocean - December 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 87
F-14A Tomcat (VF-21 / CVW-14) - Pacific Ocean - December 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 desert storm arabian gulf 1990 84
with CVW-14 embarked - Operation Desert Storm - Arabian Gulf - November 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier radar console 83
radar console - Operation Desert Storm - August 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cctv 1990 82
CCTV - Operation Desert Storm - August 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 81
with CVW-14 embarked - Pacific Ocean - July 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-14 80
with CVW-14 embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 1990

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier san francisco fleet week 1989
San Francisco Fleet Week - October 1989

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier rim-7 sea sparrow missile test 1989
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow SAM missile tests - May 1989

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier arriving nas north island california 1988 74
arriving at her new homeport, NAS North Island, San Diego, California - October 8, 1988 > note the Liberty Bell displayed on the bow

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier arriving nas north island san diego 1988 75
arriving at her new homeport, NAS North Island, San Diego, California - October 8, 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier nas north island san diego new homeport 1988 76
arriving at her new homeport, NAS North Island, San Diego, California - October 8, 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 73
after SLEP - 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier mk.15 phalanx ciws 72
newly added Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS - May 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier phalanx ciws mk.15 71
newly added Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS - May 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier barricade drill 1988 70
aircraft  barricade drill - off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - May 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier trials after slep 1988 68
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 64
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier service lifetime extension program slep 69
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier trials slep 66
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 63
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 65
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 67
trials during SLEP - Atlantic Ocean - March/April 1988

April 1985 - June 1988: Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier returning norfolk virginia 1984 62
returning to Norfolk, Virginia - April 11, 1984

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 lebanon 1983 56
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 off lebanon mediterranean sea 1983
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 57
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 1983 55
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 54
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 52
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 60
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 58
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 1983 61
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 59
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 51
A-6E Intruder (VA-176 / CVW-6) - Mediterranean Sea - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 53
S-3A Viking (VS-28 / CVW-6) - Mediterranean Sea - December 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 lebanon crisis 1983 50
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - November 1983

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 1979 49
with CVW-6 embarked - Atlantic Ocean - December 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 malaga spain 1979 46
with CVW-6 embarked - Malaga, Spain - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 toulon france 1979 48
with CVW-6 embarked - Toulon, France - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 mediterranean sea 1979 45
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 44
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 43
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 42
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - November 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 athens greece 1979 40
with CVW-6 embarked - Athens, Greece - September 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 41
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - September 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 38
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - July 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 39
with CVW-6 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - July 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 palma de mallorca spain 1979 78
with CVW-6 embarked - Palma de Mallorca, Spain - circa 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 35
with CVW-6 embarked - Atlantic Ocean - May 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 mediterranean sea 1979 34
with CVW-6 embarked - Atlantic Ocean - May 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 1979 36
with CVW-6 embarked - Atlantic Ocean - May 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-6 37
with CVW-6 embarked - Atlantic Ocean - May 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier caribbean sea 1979 32
carrier qualifications - Caribbean Sea - January 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing 31
carrier qualifications - Caribbean Sea - January 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier qualifications 33
carrier qualifications - Caribbean Sea - January 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 1979 47
circa 1979

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 1976 30
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1976

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 mediterranean sea 1975 29
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1975

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 1974 28
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1974

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 27
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1974

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 26
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1974

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 1973 24
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1973

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 25
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1973

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 19
with CVW-7 embarked - 1970's

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 23
with CVW-7 embarked - 1970's

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 88
with CVW-7 embarked - late 1960's to early 1970's

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 22
early 1970's

uss independence cv-62 royal navy phantom fg.1 892 nas ark royal 1971 21
Royal Navy Phantom FG.1 (892 NAS) from HMS Ark Royal (R 09) during cross-deck operations - NATO exercise Royal Knight - Atlantic Ocean - September 1971

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 1970 20
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - September 1970

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air wing cvw-7 1968 18
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - August 1968

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier mediterranean sea 1968 16
with CVW-7 embarked - Mediterranean Sea - 1968

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy 1968 17
1968

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cvw-7 strait of malacca 1965 15
with CVW-7 embarked - Strait of Malacca - November 1965

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cvw-7 vietnam war 1965 14
F-4B Phantom II's (VF-41 + VF-84 / CVW-7) - Vietnam War - 1965

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier new york 1964 13
with CVW-7 embarked - New York - July 1964

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cannes france 1962 cvg-7 12
with CVG-7 embarked - off Cannes, France - August 1962

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier air group cvg-7 1962 11
with CVG-7 embarked - alongside Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci - Mediterranean Sea - August 1962

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 06
Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (VAH-11) landing - early 1960's

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cvg-7 1961 10
with CVG-7 embarked - July 1961

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier naval aviation 50th anniversary 1961 07
with CVG-7 embarked - commemorating the 50th anniversary of Naval Aviation - 1961

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cvg-7 1961 08
with CVG-7 embarked - commemorating the 50th anniversary of Naval Aviation - 1961

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier 50th anniversary of naval aviation 1961 35
USS Intrepid (CVA 11), USS Saratoga (CVA 60) and USS Independence (CVA 62) commemorating the 50th anniversary of Naval Aviation - 1961

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier naval station norfolk virginia 1961 09
USS Intrepid (CVA 11) and USS Independence (CVA 62) moored at Norfolk, Virginia - circa 1961

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier cvg-7 shakedown cruise 1959 05
with CVG-7 embarked - shakedown cruise - April 1959

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier mk.42 5-inches gun
cutout: 2 x Mk.42 5-inches/54-caliber guns

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier new york naval shipyard brooklyn 1958
fitting out at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York - June 1958

uss independence cv-62 construction new york naval shipyard brooklyn 1956
under construction at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York - 1956

uss independence cv-62 forrestal class aircraft carrier construction new york naval shipyard brooklyn 1955 02
under construction at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York - July 1955
 
 
USS Independence (CVA 62 / CV 62):
 
The fifth Independence (CVA-62) was launched by New York Navy Yard 6 June 1958; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas Gates, wife of the Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned 10 January 1959; Captain E. Y. McElroy in command.

One of the newest class of "supercarriers" at the time of her commissioning, Independence conducted shakedown training in the Caribbean and arrived her home port Norfolk, 30 June 1959. She operated off the Virginia Capes for the next year on training maneuvers, and departed 4 August 1960 for her first cruise to the Mediterranean. There she added her great strength to the peace-keeping power of the 6th Fleet in that troubled region, remaining in the eastern Mediterranean until her return to Norfolk 3 March 1961. The remainder of the year was spent in training and readiness operations off the Atlantic Coast.

Independence sailed 19 April 1962 for 6th Fleet Duty in support of President Kennedy's firm stand on Berlin during a reoccurrence of stress in a critical area. She returned to Norfolk 27 August and sailed 11 October for the Caribbean Sea. She arrived off Puerto Rico in response to the Communist defiance in the Cuban Missile Crisis and took part in the quarantine operations which finally forced withdrawal of the Russian missiles. She then returned to Norfolk 25 November for readiness exercises along the eastern seaboard, overhaul in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay.

Independence departed Norfolk 6 August 1963 to take part in combined readiness exercises in the Bay of Biscay with sea-air units of the United Kingdom and France; then entered the Mediterranean 21 August for further duty with the 6th Fleet. Cruising throughout the Mediterranean, she gained much valuable experience during combined NATO exercises, including close air support to Turkish paratroops, reconnaissance, communications, and convoy strike support. President Makarios of Cyprus paid her a visit 7 October, after which she joined in bilateral U.S.-Italian exercises in the Adriatic with Italian patrol torpedo boats, and U.S.-French exercises which pitted her aircraft against French interceptors and a surface action with French cruiser Colbert. She returned to Norfolk 4 March 1964.

Following training exercises ranging north to New York and south to Mayport, Fla., Independence departed Norfolk 8 September 1964 for NATO "Teamwork" exercises in the Norwegian Sea and off the coast of France, thence to Gibraltar. She returned to Norfolk 5 November 1964 and entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul.

The first Atlantic Fleet carrier to deploy to the South China Sea in support of Vietnam operations, Independence and her embarked Air Wing 7 received the award of the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service from 5 June to 21 November 1965. They participated in the first major series of coordinated strikes against vital enemy supply lines north of the Hanoi-Haiphong complex, successfully evading the first massive surface-to-air missile barrage in aviation history while attacking assigned targets, and executing, with daring and precision, the first successful attack on an enemy surface-to-air missile installation. The carrier launched more than 7,000 sorties in sustaining an exceptional pace of day and night strike operations against military and logistic supply facilities in North Vietnam. "The superior team spirit, courage, professional competence, and devotion to duty displayed by the officers and men of Independence and embarked Attack Carrier Air Wing 7 reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Naval Service."

Independence returned to her homeport, Norfolk, Va., in December, arriving the 31st. During the first half of 1966, she operated off Norfolk, replenishing and training air groups. On 4 May she participated in Operation "STEIKEX." The carrier departed Norfolk 13 June for European operations with the 6th 'Fleet. Independence was involved with unit and NATO exercises from July into December. She then continued her 6th Fleet deployment and returns to homeport in early 1967.

On 25 September 1970, word was received that Gamal Abdul Nasser, President of the United Arab Republic had died; an event that might plunge the entire Middle East into a crisis. Independence, along with John F. Kennedy, Saratoga, and seven other U.S. Navy ships, were put on standby in case U.S. military protection was needed for the evacuation of U.S. citizens and as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union's Mediterranean fleet.

Pilots of VMA-142, -131, and -133 began qualification landings in A-4 Skyhawks aboard Independence on 3 August 1971. For the next three days, four active-duty and 20 reserve pilots operated aboard the carrier - the first time that Marine Corps Air Reserve Squadrons qualified in carrier duty.

In May 1973, President Richard M. Nixon delivered his annual Armed Forces Day address from the decks of Independence. While based in Norfolk, the ship made deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. From 8 to 13 October 1973, Task Force 60.1 with Independence, Task Force 60.2 with Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42), and Task Force 61/62 with Guadalcanal (LPH-7) were alerted for possible evacuation contingencies in the Middle East. The ships were on alert as a result of the 1973 Yom Kippur War between Arab states and Israel. Independence operated off the island of Crete.

On 20 June 1979, Lt. Donna L. Spruill became the first Navy woman pilot to carrier qualify in a fixed-wing aircraft. Lt. Spruill piloted a C-1A Trader to an arrested landing aboard Independence.

In 1982, Independence provided critical support to the multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon. On 25 June, the greatest concentration of U.S. Navy air power in the Mediterranean Sea resulted when the battle groups of Forrestal and Independence joined forces with Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. After steaming together in the eastern Mediterranean Sea for several days, Forrestal and Independence relieved Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, the latter sailing home to Norfolk, Va., after a long deployment.

On 25 October 1983, aircraft from Independence's embarked air wing flew missions in support of Operation Urgent Fury, the action to liberate the Caribbean nation of Grenada. Returning to Lebanon that same year, the ship's air wing conducted air strikes against Syrian positions.

On 17 February 1985, Independence arrived at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to undergo a modernization and overhaul program to extend her service life by 15 years. The flight deck was improved to allow the recovery of high-performance aircraft while the ship traveled at slower speeds, and the NATO Sea Sparrow launchers were upgraded. Other improvements improved the ship's fuel consumption. Independence completed the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in June 1988. Setting sail 15 August from Norfolk, the ship transited the tip of South America and arrived at her new homeport of NS San Diego, California, 8 October.

In August 1990, with Carrier Air Wing 14 embarked, Independence was sent to deter Iraqi aggression during Operation Desert Shield. Arriving on station in the Gulf of Oman on 5 August, Independence was the first carrier to enter the Persian Gulf since 1974. The ship remained on station for more than 90 days and permanently reestablished a U.S. naval presence in the region. She returned to San Diego on 20 December 1990.

Independence changed homeports again on 11 September 1991 - this time to Yokosuka, Japan, embarking Carrier Air Wing 5 and becoming the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, and flagship for Commander, Carrier Group Five.

On 23 August 1992, Independence entered the Persian Gulf prepared to enforce an Allied ban on Iraqi flights over south Iraq below the 32nd parallel. On 26 August President George H. W. Bush announced that the United States and its allies had informed Iraq that in 24 hours Allied aircraft would fly surveillance missions in southern Iraq and were prepared to shoot down any Iraqi aircraft flying south of the 32nd parallel. The action was precipitated by Iraq's failure to comply with U.N. Resolution 688 which demanded that the Iraqi government stop the repression of its Shiite population in southern Iraq.

Persian Gulf allies began to enforce the ban on Iraqi planes from flying south of the 32nd parallel on 27 August in Operation Southern Watch. Any Iraqi planes that violated the ban would be shot down. Twenty Navy aircraft from CVW-5 aboard Independence in the Persian Gulf were the first coalition aircraft on station over Iraq as Operation Southern Watch began. Southern Watch was the enforcement of a ban on Iraqi warplanes and helicopters from flying south of the 32nd parallel.

Independence became the oldest ship in the Navy's active fleet, and the first carrier in history to hold that distinction, on 30 June 1995. With this honor, Independence displayed the Revolution-era First Navy Jack, commonly called the "Don't Tread On Me" flag, from her bow until her decommissioning. The flag was presented to Independence commanding officer Capt. David P. Polatty III in a formal ceremony on 1 July. The flag was received from Mauna Kea (AE-22) upon her decommissioning.

In November 1995, the Independence and Carrier Air Wing Five team returned to Japan after successfully completing their third deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In March 1996, Independence was deployed to the waters east of Taiwan to provide a stabilizing presence amid the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. She was joined in the area by the Nimitz as the People's Republic of China lobbed missiles into Taiwanese territorial waters. Upon returning to Yokosuka in April 1996, the ship was visited by President Bill Clinton as part of an official state visit to Japan.

In 1997, Independence made a four month deployment, covering several major exercises and seven ports of call. Included in these ports of call were two historic port visits. The first was 28 February 1997 to the island territory of Guam. Independence was the first aircraft carrier to pull into Guam in 36 years.

The second, two months later, was to Port Klang, Malaysia. Independence became the first aircraft carrier in the world to make a port visit to Malaysia.

Before sailing back to Yokosuka, Japan, Independence made its last port call of the deployment in May 1997 to Hong Kong. Independence's port visit was the last U.S. naval port visit to the territory before its handover to China on 1 July 1997.

Independence deployed to the Persian Gulf in January 1998 to support negotiations between the UN and Iraq and to again participate in Operation Southern Watch.

Independence was decommissioned in ceremonies at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, on 30 September 1998. At the conclusion of this ceremony, in keeping with naval tradition, Independence's last commanding officer, Captain (later Rear Admiral) Mark R. Milliken, USN, was the last person to depart the ship.

Independence's commissioning pennant was hauled down 39 years, 9 months and 20 days after it was first hoisted, and the "Don't Tread on Me" First Navy Jack was transferred to the Navy's next oldest active ship, the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk.

After decommissioning, Independence remained in mothballs for five and a half years before being struck on 8 March 2004. During her time in mothballs, the ship was said to have been heavily stripped to support the active carrier fleet, especially the remaining Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers. Her port anchor and both anchor chains were used on the new Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. The recycling of parts and the poor material condition of the ship at the time she was withdrawn made a strong argument against retaining her as a potential museum ship. In April 2004, Navy officials identified ex-Independence as one of 24 decommissioned ships available to be sunk as artificial reefs. However, as of February 2008, she was scheduled to be dismantled in the next five years along with USS Constellation. At that time, she was still available for donation as a reef while awaiting a contract for her dismantling to be awarded.

On 26 January 2012, the Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command posted a notice of solicitation for the towing and complete dismantlement of multiple CV-59/CV-63 Class Aircraft Carriers in the United States, including Forrestal, Independence, and Constellation. The impacts of an initial scrapping for marine life in the Puget Sound required remediation with a layer of sand over the scrapping area.

Following the disposal of ex-USS Ranger and Constellation, on 10 March 2017 ex-Independence began her 16,000-mile journey from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to Brownsville, Texas for dismantling by International Shipbreaking Limited. On 26 April 2017, she was on her way through the Strait of Magellan, and on 30 May 2017 she arrived at Brownsville, where a special ceremony was held at Isla Blanca Park for veterans, school children and members of the local community to honour the vessel. Scrapping was completed by early 2019.
 
Named after and in honor of the Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776.


About the crest’s symbol - the Liberty Bell:

Cast in London, England in 1752, the Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence and has become the symbol of freedom in the United States. The bell weighs about 2000 pounds and is made mostly of copper (70%) and tin (25%).

Made for the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), the Bell Bell was ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges. Shortly after its arrival in Philadelphia the Bell cracked. Local craftsmen recast the bell using the metal from the old bell, but this one also proved defective. A third was cast by John Pass and John Stowe. Their names appear on the bell, along with the city and date, along with this inscription:

> Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof - Lev. XXV, v. X. By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania [sic] for the State House in Philada. <

On June 7, 1753, the bell was hung in the tower of Independence Hall; Its most famous ringing, on July 8, 1776, summoned citizens for the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress. Previously, it had been rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress, in 1774, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, in 1775; however, during the American Revolution, in 1777, British troops captured Philadelphia. For safekeeping, the bell was moved to Zion's Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was returned to Philadelphia in 1778.

As tradition, the bell was rung on every July 4th and on every state occasion until 1846. Not everyone agrees on when the first crack appeared on the Liberty Bell, but by 1846 a thin crack began to affect the sound of the bell. It was repaired so the bell could be tolled for Washington's birthday on February 23, 1846. In order to repair the bell, a slot was carved along the length of the crack that prevented the two sides of the bell from vibrating against each other. Two rivets were inserted in this slot to control the vibration of the two sides and restored the bell's tonal quality.

Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell Pavilion on Market Street for all to see and is still gently rung each July 4th.

liberty bell philadelphia usa
 
 
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uss independence cv-62 insignia crest patch badge forrestal class aircraft carrier us navy 02p
 
 
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