USS Constellation (CV-64) during her January 1983–February 1984 yard period at Puget Sound Navy Yard.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo (# 1996.488.103.024).

Flight deck loaded with cars, returning to San Diego from a 13-month Complex Overhaul in Bremerton, Wash. 1984.

An aerial starboard bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 15 February 1984. Note the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft on the bow. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DNST8507323).

USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), background. NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif., circa 1984.

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), left, and USS Constellation (CV-64). NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif., circa 1984.

Passing under the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Fleet Week 1984(?).

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) during Fleet Exercise 85, Pacific Ocean, 29 October 1984. An F/A-18A Hornet is on a catapult in front of a Mark-7 jet blast deflector. Behind the deflector is an S-3A Viking aircraft with wings folded. Among the aircraft parked on the flight deck are S-3A's, F/A-18A Hornets and A-6E Intruders. US Navy photo by JO2 Millie Tamberg (DVIC id: DNSN8602055).

An elevated port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 29 October 1984, during Fleet Exercise 85. Various aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 14 are parked on the flight deck. US Navy photo by JO2 Millie Tamberg (DVIC id: DNST8602018).

Slide Show of USS Camden (AOE-2) WESTPAC '85 deployment, with several views of USS Constellation.

Air-to-air left side view of an F/A-18A Hornet aircraft (BuNo 161927, modex NK300) from Strike-Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 "Stingers" alongside a Soviet TU-142 Bear A aircraft (above), somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, 18 March 1985.

As the Cruise Book noted: "Constellation is the first aircraft carrier to make a major deployment with the Navy's newest strike fighter, the F/A-18 Hornet."

Photo by LT Martin. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-SC-86-01314.

Smoke drifts up from a catapult as an F/A-18A Hornet aircraft (BuNo 161936, modex NK307) from Strike-Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 "Stingers," prepares to launch aboard USS Constellation (CV-64), 25 March 1985. The aircraft carrier, with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, was en route to Subic Bay, Philippines.

Photo by PHAN Bonham. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-SC-86-01287.

USS Constellation (CV-64), May 1986.

Photo by Rick Garcia, Vancouver. Chris Howell Collection.

An aerial view of USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) departing for WestPac and World Cruise with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard, and USS Ranger (CV-61), 3 January 1987, Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Calif.

US Navy photo by PH3 Charlo Wharton, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # DN-SC-87-11532.

"The Admiral's Visit," a true sea story. Latter half of 1987.

Three views of USS Constellation (CV-64) at sea with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, circa 1988.

NS0264aq: Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), photo # NH 106550-KN.

NS0264aqa: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 300-CFD-DN-SC-89-08411.

NS0264aqb: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 300-CFD-DN-ST-89-05590.

"... [T]he aircraft carrier suffered a major engine room fire on 2 August [1988], which her firefighter teams fought for more than twenty-four hours before bringing it under control. The warship returned to San Diego under her own power on 3 August, and the crew spent only two months cleaning and repairing main machinery room No. 1, successfully firing off all boilers on 29 September one month ahead of schedule." (Quoted from DANFS.)

Article from All Hands magazine, November 1988 issue, page 41.

Left to right: USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Independence (CV-62), Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, San Diego, California, circa 1989 (late 1988–early 1990).

Three aircraft carriers: USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Ranger (CV-61), docked at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), California. Circa second half of 1989, but exact date shot unknown. Photo by CWO Dale, USN.

National Archives photo (DNSC0410879; NARA id: 6640125).

The commercial harbor tugs Mister Randy and Mister Don maneuver the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) as the ship departs from port during PACEX '89. The aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62) is moored in the background. San Diego, California, September 18, 1989.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service photo # DN-ST-90-08758.

At the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1992, undergoing a 3-year Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).

Sailors watch as USS Constellation (CV-64) makes her way towards her berth at NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif., 22 July 1993. The aircraft carrier was returning to her homeport after a 32-month service life extension program (SLEP) overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and a 55-day cruise around South America. US Navy photo by PH2 M. C. Farrington, available from Defense Media Activity Center (# DN-SC-93-06237).

USS Constellation (CV-64) underway in the mid-1990s.

USS Constellation (CV-64) Carrier Battle Group in the mid-1990s. In fact, the Group appears to be that of Connie's 1994–1995 WestPac cruise: an attack submarine, USS Topeka (SSN-754); a destroyer, USS Kinkaid (DD-965); two guided missile cruisers, USS Chosin (CG-65) and USS Lake Erie (CG-70); an ammunition ship, USS Kiska (AE-35); and a replenishment oiler, USS Cimarron (AO-177).

USS Constellation (CV-64) underway in the mid-1990s.

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda, addresses the crew aboard USS Constellation (CV-64), circa 1 August 1994 (exact date unknown).

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-SC-96-00080.

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda, sits down and enjoys a meal with a few enlisted sailors aboard USS Constellation (CV-64), circa 1 August 1994 (exact date unknown).

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-SC-96-00081.

USS Constellation (CV-64) underway circa 1995, location unknown. (RAN photo).

Aerial view of USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS Nimitz (CVN-68), docked at the Naval Air Depot North Island (NADNI), San Diego, California, 29 May 1995.

Official US Navy photo by PH1 Bean, USN. Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DMA), photo # DN-SC-05-10893.

San Diego, California (April 1, 1997) — USS Constellation (CV-64) departs her home port of San Diego, California, to begin a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment. The carrier and her Battle Group would head to the Persian Gulf to enforce no-fly zones over Iraq and monitor shipping to and from the region. U.S. Navy photograph by Photographer's Mate Airman Neil H. F. Sheinbaum (# 970401-N-0789S-001).

Pacific Ocean (April 14, 1997) — USS Constellation (CV-64) enroute to the Persian Gulf to enforce no-fly zones and monitor shipping to and from Iraq. Official U.S. Navy photograph (970414-N-0789S-003) by Airman Photographer's Mate Neil H. F. Sheinbaum.

Compare this photo to 026403 and 026436.

USS Constellation (CV-64), with her crew "manning the rail," departs her homeport, San Diego, California, to begin her 22nd overseas deployment (1 April–1 October 1997), where she would participate in Operation Southern Watch and Exercise Arabian Skies. CVW-2 was the embarked Air Wing amd consisted of the following squadrons and aircraft:

• VF-2 "Bounty Hunters," F-14D Tomcat
• VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers," F/A-18C Hornet
• VFA-151 "Vigilantes," F/A-18C Hornet
• VFA-137 "Kestrels," F/A-18C Hornet
• VAW-116 "Sun Kings," E-2C Hawkeye
• HS-2 "Golden Falcons," SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk
• VAQ-131 "Lancers," EA-6B Prowler
• VS-38 "Red Griffins," S-3B Viking
• VQ-5 Det C "Sea Shadows," ES-3A Shadow
• VRC-30 Det 3 "Providers," C-2A Greyhound

U.S. Navy photo.

Two views of the hangar deck, taken in April 1998, en route from San Diego to Bremerton.

En route from San Diego to Bremerton for overhaul, April 1998 (60-photo album).

"In Memory of Daren D. Jewell, 'Chowder,' LT, USN"

LT Jewell (1974–2000) was killed when his F/A-18C Hornet (BuNo 164737) crashed shortly after launch from USS Constellation (CV-64) during a routine training exercise, 80 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, 20 October 2000, 1930 local time. He was assigned to VFA-151 "Vigilantes," stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station.

San Diego, Calif., Sept. 30, 2002 — An aerial view of San Diego Harbor with four of the Navy's aircraft carriers moored at the Naval Air Station, North Island. The carriers are (from left) USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). It is rare to have this many carriers in port at any one time. U.S. Navy photo (# 020930-N-7265L-001) by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson.

San Diego, Calif., Nov. 2, 2002 — After pulling away from the carrier pier at Naval Air Station North Island, USS Constellation (CV-64), heads down San Diego bay at the start of a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo provided courtesy Retired Navy Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Chuck Cavanaugh (#021102-O-1144C-008).

San Diego, Calif., Nov. 2, 2002 — USS Constellation (CV-64) departs Naval Air Station North Island at the start of a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She carried aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2). U.S. Navy photo (021102-N-8796S-032) by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Tim Smith.

The Persian Gulf, Apr. 13, 2003 — Together for a last time, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) (top) and USS Constellation (CV-64) underway in the Persian Gulf. The Navy's oldest active warship, Kitty Hawk with Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), and Constellation with Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), conducted combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Adam Gomez (# 030413-N-9043G-002).

Leaflets dropped over Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2002–2003.

IZD 007: "Iraqi ADA Beware! Do not track or fire on coalition aircraft!"

IZD 001: "Information Radio, 1800–2300 Daily"

IZ D017c: "Air defense artillery units have been targeted for destruction"

IZ D002/002a: "Information Radio, 1800–2300 Daily"

(See Operation Iraqi Freedom for more information—will open in a new window/tab.)

F/A-18C Hornet being recovered during Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 2003.

April 2003, during a recovery cycle in the Persian Gulf (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

Shot while "Connie" was on her transit home in the Indian Ocean.

A shot of the wardroom, May 2003.

During a practice air power demonstration, 20 May 2003, for an upcoming "Tiger Cruise" to be held aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) in the Pacific Ocean, an SH-60F Seahawk assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 2 banks sharply towards the aircraft carrier to demonstrate its ability to fly very low to the water. Constellation and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 were on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (# 030520-N-0295M-013).

During a practice air power demonstration, 20 May 2003, for an upcoming "Tiger Cruise" to be held aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) in the Pacific Ocean, an HH-60H Seahawk assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 2 prepares to hover next to the aircraft carrier to demonstrate its ability to fly very low to the water. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (# 030520-N-0295M-014).

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 fly over USS Constellation (CV-64) in a tight formation, 20 May 2003, at the conclusion of a practice air and sea power demonstration for an upcoming "Tiger Cruise" aboard the ship, in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (# 030520-N-0295M-022).

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, June 2, 2003 — USS Constellation (CV-64) returns to her homeport in San Diego following a successful seven month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Andrew J. Betting (# 030602-N-8590B-001).

North Island, San Diego, 4 July 2003.

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Aug. 7, 2003 — Sailors aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) lower the colors for the last time during the ship's decommissioning ceremony, which marked the end of the ship's nearly 42 years of service to the nation. During Constellation’s commissioned service, she completed 21 deployments and most recently completed combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom: the Constellation Carrier Strike Group flew more than 1,500 sorties and expended more than a million pounds of ordnance. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Charles E. Alvarado (# 030807-N-1356A-002).

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Aug. 7, 2003 — A three-plane formation of F/A-18 Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Three Two Three (VMFA-323) conducts a flyover of USS Constellation (CV-64) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Prince A. Hughes III (# 030807-N-1397H-001).

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Aug. 7, 2003 — Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham addresses the guests and crew of USS Constellation (CV-64) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. Congressman Cunningham served aboard Constellation as a pilot with the "Fighting Falcons" of Fighter Squadron Nine Six (VF-96), where he became the only Navy "Ace" of the Vietnam conflict.

U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Prince A. Hughes III (# 030807-N-1397H-006).

"An Oath Sworn, An Oath Kept."

Sailors walk down the brow for the last time.

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San Diego, Calif., Sep. 12, 2003 — The decommissioned aircraft carrier Constellation (CV-64) begins her transit from Naval Air Station North Island to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The 41-year old ship was towed by a contracted ocean-going tug operated by Foss Maritime of Seattle, Wash. The transit was expected to take two weeks. Constellation had been homeported in San Diego since 1962. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Brandon A. Teeples (# 030912-N-9288T-002).

Remembering the good, ol' days

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 24 June 2004.

Bremerton, Wash., 2006. Four aircraft carriers (front to back, photo NS026245; left to right, photo NS026245a): ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Also visible in these photos are two Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, a Knox-class frigate and the fast combat support ships ex-USS Sacramento (AOE-1) and ex-USS Camden (AOE-2).

At Puget Sound, Wash., Tuesday, 8 July 2008.

Ex-Ranger (CV-61) is in the middle distance, and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the background.

Puget Sound, Wash., Friday, 13 February 2009. Ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) and ex-USS Ranger (CV-61).

Aerial view of Bremerton, WA, 10 March 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Sides (FFG-14), ex-George Philip (FFG-12), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49).

Series of screen shots from Google Maps pieced together by John Slaughter. Left to right: ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), and ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), Bremerton, WA, circa 2010.

John comments: «Indy and Connie are showing signs of weathering. They are both in the early stages of being readied for scrapping. Kitty Hawk is still listed as in reserve. I guess that's in case something disastrous happened to one of the active carriers. Ranger's flight deck is covered with something like a rubber coating about 3" thick to protect it. This is because of the efforts going on to save her as a museum. Less maintenance. I measured Kitty Hawk's flight deck in the picture and then, using that as a scale, I measured the gap between her and Indy. Their flight decks, by my rough estimate, are less than 10' apart.»

Island of ex-Constellation (CV-64), 27 May 2011.

Tom Armstrong and his 9-year-old granddaughter, Issa, took a lot of pictures on 8 August 2014, as ex-Constellation, Tom's old ship, was towed away for the last time from Bremerton, WA, en route to Brownsville, TX, where Connie would be scrapped.

NS0264aod: Ex-Ranger (CV-61), left; ex-Dubuque (LPD-8), center; and ex-Constellation (CV-64), right.

Eight photos of ex-USS Constellation as she entered the Brazos Santiago and made the turn into the Brownsville Ship Channel, 16 January 2015.

Ex-Constellation being scrapped at International Shipbreaking Limited, Brownsville, Texas, 7 July 2015.

Three views of ex-Constellation being scrapped at International Shipbreaking Limited, Brownsville, Texas, 11 July 2015.

Ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) is seen at top of picture. Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Top left, partly visible, ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60); center, ex-USS Ranger (CV-61); center right, ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Taken approximately at the same time as the photos above.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right, and top to bottom: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV‑61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 29 January 2017.

William comments:

"No significant progress on ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60) on north side of channel. Work appears to have stopped some months ago."

"The entire flight deck of ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) has been removed, left (west) south side of the shipping channel."

"Scrapping of ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) appears just about complete. Less than 1/2 of the hull appears to remain and the hulk is being winched in to the south shore in the demolition slip as it is scrapped from fore to aft. It should be completely gone by the next Google Earth photo and I expect that the CV-61 hulk will be moved to the slip trench to complete the scrapping."