THE DECOMMISSIONING CV-62
Photo by Darrell "GOMER" Morgan
Independence Prepares for Decommissioning Ceremony
Story By: JO3 Joseph Rehana
email:pareha40@cv62.navy.mil
Date: September 17, 1998
After thirty-nine years of naval service,
USS Independence (CV 62) will hold her
decommissioning ceremony Sept. 30, at the
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
The Honorable John H. Dalton, Secretary of the
Navy, will be the guest speaker in the ceremony
which is to include the transfer of the First Navy
Jack, also known as the "Don't Tread on Me" jack.
The honor of flying the First Navy Jack is held by
the Navy's oldest continuous active-duty ship.
USS Independence was commissioned as a
"Forrestal Class" attack aircraft carrier (CVA 62)
at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard, New York, on
January 10, 1959. She is the fifth U.S. Navy ship
to bear the name "Independence".
After commissioning, "Freedom's Flagship" was
on the cutting edge in projecting naval air power
and protecting U.S. national interests around the
globe. Called on by President John F. Kennedy
during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis,
Independence provided a strong, visible reminder
of U.S. determination and resolve while it acted as
a key participant in the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba.
In 1964, the ship deployed for more than seven
months, including 100 days in the South
China Sea off the coast of Vietnam.
In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon delivered
his annual Armed Forces Day address from
the decks of Independence.
While based in Norfolk, Virginia,
the ship made deployments to the
Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.
In 1982, the ship provided critical support to the
multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
In 1983, aircraft from the 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.
In June 1988, Independence completed the Service Life
Extension Program (SLEP) at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
It was fitting that the ship should be rejuvenated in
Philadelphia, home of the Revolutionary War's
"Liberty Bell" which is recognized worldwide
as a symbol of liberty and freedom. The
"Liberty Bell" also serves as the ship's official seal.
Later in 1988, the ship transited the tip of South
America and arrived at her new homeport of
San Diego, California.
In August 1990, with Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN
embarked, Independence was sent to deter Iraqi
aggression during Operation DESERT SHIELD.
Indy was the first carrier to enter the Arabian Gulf
since 1974. The ship remained on station for more
than 90 days and permanently reestablished
a U.S. Naval presence in the region.
Independence changed homeports again on
September 11, 1991 - this time to Yokosuka,
Japan, embarking Carrier Air Wing FIVE
and assuming the role of the Navy's only
permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier
and flagship for Commander, Carrier Group FIVE.
The ship deployed to the Arabian Gulf in
mid-1992 and started Operation SOUTHERN
WATCH, a multinational mission to monitor
Iraqi compliance with the U.N.-established
"no-fly zone" below the 32nd parallel.
Independence became the oldest ship in the
Navy's active fleet on June 30, 1995. With this
distinction, "Freedom's Flagship" proudly
displayed the Revolution-era First Navy Jack,
commonly called the "Don't Tread On Me"
jack from her bow. In the ceremony, the jack
will be handed over to the next oldest ship
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).
In November 1995, the Independence and
Carrier Air Wing FIVE team returned to Japan
after successfully completing their third
deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support
In March 1996, Independence was called upon
to provide a stabilizing presence during
heightened tensions between Taiwan and China.
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
of call were two historic port visits. The first
was February 28 to the island territory of Guam.
Indy was the first aircraft carrier to pull into
Guam in 36 years. The second, two months
later, was to Port Klang, Malaysia.
Indy 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 to Hong Kong. Indy's port
visit was the last U.S. Naval port visit to the
territory before its reversion to China on July 1, 1997.
Independence received a short notice deployment
order and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in January
1998 to support negotiations between the
UN and Iraq and to again participate in
Operation Southern Watch.
On Sept. 30, Independence's commissioning pennant
will be hauled down 39 years, 8 months and 20 days
after it was first proudly hoisted.
Secretary Dalton will speak of Indy's mighty
accomplishments through the years just as
Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke foretold of the
protection and service USS Independence would
provide America in his commissioning speech
Jan. 10, 1959.
The decommissioning ceremony for USS Independence
will take place in Bremerton, Washington on September
30, 1998. Plans are underway to make this a fitting and
memorable ceremony. If you're a previous INDY
crewmember and desire to attend the ceremony, please
Email Independence at adbank40@cv62.navy.mil
providing the following information:
NAME:
Mailing Address:
Dates assigned to INDY:
Rank/Rate when assigned:
All decommissioning ceremony invitees and their
guests are invited to tour the ship on September 29,
from 2 - 6 p.m. This self-guided tour will allow you to
visit the Hangar Bay, Flight Deck, Bridge and one last
look at Indy before the ceremony that will bring
thirty-nine years of Naval excellence to a close.
The ship will not be open for tours on Sept. 30.
Location: Pier Delta, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA
Decommissioning Photo by James Morrissey
