USS Kitty Hawk Action - Color 1971 - F-4 A-7 RA-5 A-3 launch recovery arming Vietnam Viet Nam 

F-8 Crusaders over Vietnam: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j5uQBLECm6A.html

This is how I remember it. VF213 Plane Captain. The heat, the humidity, the grease everywhere. My dungarees were so caked with grease the they would just about stand up in the corner by themselves. The flight deck felt like a big frying pan. During launch we were spotted at the fantail and when Kitty Hawk turned into the wind we were treated to the sulphorous stack gas of the black oil fired engines as they spooled up to bring us up to the 30 or so knots of wind needed for the launching aircraft to get airborne not to mention the jet exhaust of every running plane ahead of us moving slowly up the deck with heavy bomb loads that required extra power to get moving. When my F4 Phantom was finally launched it was time hang up my tie down chains and take a break for an hour or so and do it again usually four times a day. It was my honor to serve with my flight deck and aircrew shipmates. The KittyHawk did a heck of a job and I'm proud to have been a part !

I worked on this same flight deck in the 2000s. It’s crazy how many people served on the Kitty Hawk. It should have never been scrapped.

My uncle Dr. Pat Flynn was a flight surgeon aboard the Kittyhawk and the Constellation in the 1960's and early 1970's. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal, with V, for jumping into the ocean trying to rescue an aviator who'd ejected and landed in the water and became fouled in the shroud lines of his parachute. Although the pilot ended up drowning, my uncles heroism was unquestionable. I believe he was in the Sea Sprite rescue helicopter when he jumped. BTW he was an outstanding swimmer, diver and athlete, so his ability to handle swimming in the open ocean was not a factor for him. I miss him very much. He helped me when I was struggling as a young man trying to figure out my future.

Cat one topside PO, 71-72. Video brought back lot's of memories. Bad ASS crew and ship

This takes me back. USS Kitty Hawk 70-73. Radioman. Damn, 50 years ago. Stuff like this reminds me how old I am.

I served at the time of this video as a YN2 in the Kitty Hawk's Legal Office. What a great time in my life. No regrets. Serving on the Hawk was one of the best things I've ever experienced. RIP my old ship!

I was an RM aboard the USS HOLLISTER DD-788. We chased carriers, spent time on the navel gun line and had some exciting raids in the north. To all my fellow Vietnam Vets especially to those who didn't make it, I salute you.

Love the F-4 Phantom it still has a modern look to it. And it sounds...glorious.👍

12:10 A $200 million carrier, but it boils down to a couple of ratings and a wrench. Magnificent footage.

I was living in a hole about 100 miles west of the boat; it was good to know it was there.

This brings back memories of that time in my life. Thanks for the great video and history lesson.

My father-in-law was on the ship, as ship's company at this time, serving as catapult and arresting gear officer, James C. Barnes Jr. This ship was the one he most loved in his career.

Great footage very clear and sharp images with excellent color

Naval aviation rocks. Those pilots are very special people. Respect.

Kitty Hawk was moved to dry dock March 9th of this year to clean the hull and start cutting her up. I was aboard many times while stationed at PSNS. Nice vid Fred.

Love those airplanes - Phantom, Whale, SLUF. My dad was stationed aboard Ranger (CVA-61) during that time. We lived in Alameda, CA, and I always was outside when the air wings were coming ashore. The flight path was right over base housing.

Man, does this bring back the memories being on the Saratoga & the Kennedy. Ancient history.

Thanks for posting this. I was an A02 with VF114 for this cruise. (AO3 for the one before it). I caught a glimpse of our old shop chief who moved up to CVW11 for this cruise., AOCS Strong. R.I.P. Chief.

Great Video! Brings back a lot of memories! I came aboard during the `71 cruise and all of the `72 cruise. I was an SKSN down in S-1 Supply Div.. This was one of the best times in my life over 50 years ago! I last saw the Kitty Hawk up in Bremerton, WA. a couple of years before she was towed to the scrap yards In Brownsville, TX

the Phantom still is my favorite. my Father was stationed at Travis in '70-71. having returned from a year at Korat Royal Thai airbase.

I was there VA192, great ship, what great times. Olongapo was great. I wish I could have seen me in the video though.

This sure brings back memories. I was a Photographer's Mate on the Constellation for the 1974 WESTPAC.

Doug Odell on West Pac '72. Worked in the 3-M Office, X Div. 72 cruise was a long wild ride for a kid from Minnesota! Did a lot of growing up fast.

Great shots. Many memories, USS Independence, Airframes troubleshooter, VA-65

Quality footage. I second the sentiment that it's nice to see footage from the flight deck operations perspective and not just about the aircraft and their crews.

I should have become a pilot love airplanes and helicopters

I was on the Nimitz in the Med, 1987 I think and the Kitty relieved us. I worked cat#2, only bridle bird we had was the A-3 Whale.

Best part of my Navy experience was on the flight deck. CVA-67 Kennedy, VF-32 AO3. A ten month Med cruise in 71-72.

Memories for sure. Was aboard the Hawk when CQ F14-A Tomcats first time. VA-122 A7-E's PR2 71-75

I was onboard her, for just over 2 days, when my FF escorted KITTY out of the Philadelphia shipyard, all the way around the Horn, to San DIego.

Love those F-4 Phantoms

I can't imagine how load a carrier full of F-4's must have been. The Phantom is the loudest jet I've ever heard outside of the SR-71.

02:33 That's one big chunk out of that tire!

I was stationed aboard the Kitty Hawk at this point in time (1967-71). Made 3 cruises, so sorry to see the ship being scraped. Yes I know the steel will be used for newer carriers but just a hard pill to swallow

Incredible footage but I find myself really bothered by the thought of how many of these guys we're seeing didn't make it? Never forget the cost of those who serve on the line.

I served aboard the Kitty Hawk from ''71 to ''73 #4MMR P1Div MM

Proud member of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

You can thank PH 1 Sharkey of the Hawk’s OP Division for the fine quality of this video. AK 3 Schultz, USN (Ret.), S-6 Division / USS Kitty Hawk 70-71cruise

I was on board 1970-72 V-1 fly1 recognized many of those faces can still put a name to some of them.

Thank you for this fascinating video!

Grew up an air force brat. Loved those Vietnam Era planes. The F-4 was iconic. Such a beautiful plane. Also was a fan of the A-6's and 7's.

Dates of service. I am the surviving spouse of a sailor, John Morrison who sailed on the USS Kitty from 1974 to 1979. My application for compensation was denied because the VA says the Kitty Hawk was never in Vietnam after May 1974. Is there anyone who served on the Kitty Hawk that can tell me if the USS Kitty Hawk was, indeed, in Vietnam during the years 1974 - 1975? Does any one have photos of the ship that shows that the ship was in Vietnam during those years? The claim was denied because the VA says the ship was never in Vietnam after 1972. My husband, like many sailors, died from Parkinson's Disease and severe Lewy-Body dementia. He was a cook aboard the ship. His name was John Morrison and, his home city was Portland, Oregon. I am very grateful for any information about the ship's service in Vietnam during 1974-75. Any photos that put the ship in Vietnam. I was asked if there is any correspondence that any one has that says they were on the ship in Vietnam during 1974 to 1975. This shouldn't be this difficult and, for every family who has been through this process, I apologize for the angst you have been through with the VA process, especially during COVID 19. Theresa Prefontaine JohnUSSKittyHawk@gmail.com

Nice to see a rare video about working on the boat that's not focused on the aircrew. Us ground pounders worked our butts off keeping those things flying. USS Ranger 1976.

Thanks for posting. I was at Yankee Station in late 71 on the USS Midway, an Aviation Technician. I worked on the flight deck trying to keep the VF -161 F4 Phantom weapon radar systems running. The flight deck was a noisy, dangerous, fascinating place to be.

Thanks for that. Greetings from a German, in the Philippines.

Was with VA-195 on board '72 & '73-'74. Worked in ordnance and as an AT. Flight deck was a well oiled dance when in operation. You had to have your spidy sense well tuned during night ops.

Kitty Hawk and America were of the same class. Being the Kitty Hawk class carrier. I was on the America CVA 66 in 68. Same place. Great color footage for history.

Thanks

Amazing color footage/Film with Phantoms, A-7 Corsair II`s RA-5 Vigilante`s ect.

I was on that cruise in RVAH-6. If I remember correctly, for one of the few times on a WestPac cruise, no aircrew lives were lost. There was only one sailor who died and he jumped overboard. A Dear John letter was found.

belle époque, ou il y avait beaucoup d'avions différents sur les porte-avions!!!!! merci pour cette belle vidéo

Amazing footage!!!

Home port overseas was in the Philippines, good times in Olongapo when it was cool. I did my time on the Kitty from '74 to '79, enjoyed three westpacs and was made into a shellback.

A couple of those Chippy Bird landings might have been me!

kitty hawk basically has her own kids and grandkids with how many people served on it

This is so wholesome

Hello i know it's years late but I'm standing here with a 3rd class petty officer that was on this air craft carrier in this video 😮 it's blowing my mind

Beautiful, tks!!

the only time I wanted to be on a flight deck in the Navy is when there were no flight ops USS Oriskany cva 34 go Navy beat Army 17-14

Joined the Hawk 1976 BM Deck Department

Another excellent video. Thank you very much.

Nice 👍 thank you

This is great. What is the start music ? Love the 70's feel of it. Suits the footage.

Thanks 👍🇳🇿

Hey..Where are the VA-52 A-6 Intruders? Just askin. They were on board for this cruise.

Познавательное видео.

Was there a LT. Max Carey in one of the A-7 squadrons?

Served on 68, I think. VA37. Seat mechanic.

304 hell ya 👍

What you don’t show is the real flight deck operations like A2 with its port strut in the port catwalk and the RA5C taking off CAT#1 and dropping its center line fuel tanks on the flight deck while it’s in after burners GENERAL QUARTERS GENERAL QUARTERS. and then five crew on flight deck being blowed overboard I was in charge of waist catapults during this cruise

T-bars used in the catapult launch sequences courtesy of Aviation Storekeeper par excellence Joseph Hopkins / S-6 Division USS Kitty Hawk, 70-71 cruise

Good to see the Muscle car era jets I served with on CV-59!! However the music ida rather hear is the Engine's!! Not the stupid soundtrack!

I was on her at that time, H Division.

2:23 yep , its good to go..

Hook it wooo he hooked it

Arming wires on the A-7 at 11:30.

3MMR,,,JOHN F. KENNEDY CV-67...I DON'T WANT HER CUT UP...

Oh man those things are pimp

What kind of helicopter is this at 1:56? Is this a Kaman H2?

AQ3 Air Missile Div😎

What on earth were they using the skywarrior for, doesn't the vigilante perform the same role but better?

No A-6 footage?

Must be me growing in the Air Force but. Why was a guy wearing his wedding ring on the flight deck

Did you edit out VA-52?

ABE for life 😂😂! Kitty Hawk 93-95

Back in the days when you could still have a beard.

Nothing like working on the "Roof." AFTS VA-65, VF-101. Note the arming wires on the A-7 at 11:20.

Got a tour, thru Norton MWR, of the Kitty Hawk; 3 of us medics went, and were given a great tour by a young fireman. Told us about being on watch when the Russian sub collided; joke about telling new crew members about the bowling alley.