America's Flagship: a history of USS Constellation - Cva/Cv 64

Naval Aviation News,  March-April, 2004  by Mike Weeks

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As Connie prepared for her 1999 deployment, tensions were once again rising on the Korean Peninsula following an exchange of gunfire between North and South Korean vessels. Constellation departed San Diego on 18 June 1999 for the Korean Peninsula to monitor the situation. On 28 August, she entered the Arabian Gulf and in 10 weeks conducted more than 5,000 sorties and 1,256 OSW sorties. This period was highlighted by air strikes against two Iraqi radar stations and an attempt by VF-2 to engage an Iraqi jet with the long-range Phoenix air-to-air missile on 14 September. CVW-2 aircraft engaged in nine specific ordnance-dropping air strikes while in the Arabian Gulf. The battle group departed the gulf on 5 November and was home for the holidays on 17 December. At year's end, Constellation was awarded her second Battle E as the Pacific Fleet's best carrier for the 12-month reporting period.

Constellation's 20th deployment began on 16 March 2001. She entered the Arabian Gulf on 30 April and immediately commenced operations in support of OSW. On 13 May Capt. John W. Miller assumed command as Connie's 30th skipper, and her last. She ceased OSW operations on 4 August, having conducted multiple air strikes in response to Iraqi violations of the no-fly zone. On 11 September Connie was approaching Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to take on board dependents for the traditional Tiger Cruise on the final leg to San Diego, when word was received of the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon. Despite discussions about turning the battle group around, the carrier was allowed to complete her regularly scheduled deployment. Connie arrived in San Diego on 15 September and celebrated her 40th birthday the next month.

Following an abbreviated turnaround cycle, Constellation prepared for her final deployment and the opportunity to fight in the global war on terrorism. She departed on 2 November 2002 and was soon supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; on 17 December she entered the Arabian Gulf to begin OSW missions. By 20 March 2003, with two carriers in the eastern Mediterranean and three in the gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced. Connie was designated a night carrier and remained on station throughout the major ground combat phase. She launched more than 1,500 sorties and CVW-2 aircraft delivered over 1.7 million pounds of ordnance. While one aircraft was lost in an operational mishap, there were no fatalities.

Connie departed the gulf on 17 April and steamed for San Diego for the last time. On 1 June a Sea Control Squadron 38 S-3B Viking crewed by Lt. Hartley Postlethwaite, Ltjg. Arthur Gutting and CO Capt. Miller recorded Connie's 395,710th and final arrested landing. Her 21st and final deployment ended the next day.

On 7 August 2003, Constellation's commissioning pennant was hauled down and her deck log closed. Her legacy might best be remembered today in the words of President Ronald Reagan from 1981: "Let friend and foe alike know that America has the muscle to back up its words, and ships like this and men like you are that muscle ... you are America's Flagship."