USS Nimitz (CVN-68) The 1979-80 Cruise book

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Cruisebook for the USS Nimitz (CVN-68)'s 1979-80 Mediterranean/ Indian Ocean (Gonzo station) cruise. This Cruise book is 350 pages of mostly colour photos of the ship, her crew, ports of call and embarked air wing 8 (CVW-8). Noteworthy of this prized book is the making of the movie "The Final Countdown" and the ill fated attempted rescue of the american hostages in Iran "Operation Evening Light" and the ships 100 days on Gonzo station without a port call. Many hightlights in this book! Squadrons aboard at the time were: VF-84, VF-41, VA-35, VA-82, VA-86, VAQ-134, VAW-112, VS-24, and HS-9. Book is in overall good shape with a cut out of the front cover that may have been a name of a crew member. Binding is a little loose but completely in tact. A history of this 2nd Nuclear Powered aircraft carrier and Lead ship of the Nimitz class is below: USS Nimitz has answered her country's call many times in response to regional and international crises. In doing so, the aircraft carrier has secured a prominent place in history, just like her namesake, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The keel of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was laid on June 22, 1968 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Va. It was destined to become the largest warship ever. The ship was commissioned May 3, 1975, at Pier 12, Naval Station Norfolk, Va. by the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States. Principal guests included: the Honorable James R. Schlesinger, Secretary of Defense; the Honorable J. William Middendorf, II, Secretary of the Navy; Admiral James L. Holloway, III, Chief of Naval Operations and Mrs. James T. Nimitz-Lay, Ship's Sponsor.Speaking to a crowd of over 20,000, the President said in his remarks: "Wver the United States Ship Nimitz shows her flag, she will be seen as we see her now - a solid symbol of United States strength; United States resolve. Made in America and manned by Americans. Whether her mission is one of defense, diplomacy or humanity, Nimitz will command awe and admiration from some, caution and circumspection from others and respect from all."Today's crew stands ready, as did the commissioning crew, to answer their nation's call and take their place in America's maritime heritage. Nimitz' first deployment began July 7, 1976 when she departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean. Included in the task force were the nuclear-powered cruisers USS South Carolina and USS California. The deployment marked the first time in 10 years that nuclear-powered ships had deployed to the Mediterranean. In November 1976, Nimitz was awarded the coveted Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, for being the most efficient and foremost aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. The ship returned to Norfolk Feb. 7, 1977 after a seven-month deployment. Nimitz again sailed toward the Mediterranean Sea Dec. 1, 1977. Following a peaceful deployment, the ship returned home to Norfolk July 20, 1978. During Nimitz' third cruise to the Mediterranean beginning Sept. 10, 1979, it was dispatched to strengthen the U.S. Naval presence in the crucial Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran's taking of 52 American diplomats hostage. Four months later, Operation "Evening Light" was launched from Nimitz in an attempt to rescue the hostages. The rescue was aborted in the Iranian Desert when the number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to transport the attack force and hostages out of Iran. During its deployment, the ship operated 144 continuous days at sea. Nimitz' homecoming on May 26, 1980 was, at the time, the largest given to any carrier battle group returning to the United States since the end of World War II. The ship's crew was greeted by President and Mrs. Carter, members of Congress, military leaders and thousands of families and friends. On May 15, 1981, Nimitz departed Norfolk for the final phases of her workup schedule for an upcoming Mediterranean Cruise. On the night of May 25, an EA-6B Prowler crash-landed on the flig... read more

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