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CV-41 USS Midway / CVW-5
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Photographic Essay APA-PE-2010-0501 by Dr Carlo Kopp Text © 2010 Carlo Kopp Photographic and lineart images © 1981 - 2010 Carlo Kopp |
CV-41
USS
Midway
at
anchor
off
Fremantle
(©
1981 - 2010 Carlo Kopp).
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The last decade of the Cold War saw increasing US Navy deployments into the Indian ocean, reflecting decreasing political stability in the strategically important Persian Gulf region. A byproduct of cruises to Gonzo Station was that US Navy CVBGs would visit Fremantle on the return leg of cruises from the Indian. This photo essay was produced by the author in 1981, when the USS Midway visited Fremantle for several days returning to its home port of Yokosuka in Japan. The CV-41 USS Midway was the lead vessel in the 45,000 tonne Midway class, followed by the CV-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, and CV-43 USS Coral Sea. This class of aircraft carrier is unusual both in design and longevity, as the Midway served from September, 1945, until April, 1992. The hull design of the Midway class is derived from the cancelled 1940s Montana class BB, itself intended to replace the Iowa class BBs. The intent was to produce a heavily armoured attack carrier capable of surviving many more hits than the then primary design, the Essex class. The result was in 1945 an unusually large and well hardened carrier, which also contributed to the service longevity of this class. While the Midway class was not large enough to embark the air wing size of the later Kittyhawk, Enterprise and Nimitz class supercarriers, it was often argued to be the most survivable USN carrier class, due to its armour providing some measure of protection against Soviet supersonic ASCMs. The USS Midway has been preserved as a floating museum in San Diego, California. Notes:
(Wikipedia image)
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CV-41 USS Midway at anchor off Fremantle (© 1981 - 2010 Carlo Kopp). CV-41 USS Midway departing Yokosuka in 1991 (US DoD). CV-41 USS Midway and CV-62 USS Independence moored at Yokosuka in 1991 (US DoD). |
MDC F-4S Phantom II / VF-151 Vigilantes / VF-161 Chargers |
The
USS Midway carried two squadrons of the potent F-4S Phantom II to
provide fleet air defence and strike capability in high threat
environments. Due to its small flight deck size, the Midway could not
carry the larger F-14A Tomcat.
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MDC RF-4B Phantom II / VMFP-3 Detachment |
The USS Midway hosted a detachment of Marine Corp RF-4B Phantoms for imaging reconnaissance. |
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye / VAW-115 Liberty Bells |
The Grumman E-2C Hawkeye remains the primary ISR platform for US Navy air wings. |
Grumman A-6E/KA-6D Intruder / VA-115 Eagles |
The Grumman A-6E Intruder was the primary strike platform in the 1980s air wing. Hughes AN/AAS-33 TRAM (Target Recognition Attack, Multisensor) DRS turret stowed. Above, below: KA-6D tanker aircraft, critical to air wing operations. |
Grumman EA-6B Prowler / VAQ-130 Zappers / VAQ-136 Gauntlets |
Equipped
with
the
highly
effective
Eaton/AIL
ALQ-99
Tactical
Jamming System, the
EA-6B provided support jamming for strike packages and fleet defence.
|
LTV A-7E Corsair II / VA-56 Champions / VA-93 Ravens |
The
A-7E Corsair II was introduced to the fleet during the Vietnam conflict
and served with distinction until the end of the Cold War.
Texas
Instruments AN/AAR-45 FLIR pod used for night attack profiles.
Sikorsky SH-3G Sea King / HC-1 Fleet Angels Det 2 The SH-3 Sea King was employed as the
plane guard helicopter, but also performed SAR/CSAR.
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Imagery Sources: © 1981 - 2010 Carlo Kopp |
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