USS Constellation Launches Jets Under the Golden Gate Bridge

[bronco64]

You lucky duk, great video, way kool.

[Ben1son]

@bronco64 LOL! Thank you! 

[jamesdewer]

Great footage. Lived in SF since I got out in 91. Never saw anything like this! MAde several trips under the GGB on Enterprise thought.

[Ben1son]

@jamesdewer Thank you! This was the last time they did this.

[Ben1son]

@jamesdewer The Carl Vinson will be coming next week (October 7, 2011) and will launch her jets at 11am.

[billt1ify]

I served aboard Connie WesPac 1964. First naval airstrike against North Viet Nam.

If memory serves correctly we only needed a 30 knot wind across the bow to launch. Frisco always had a wind. Going out of the bay the connie could have probably launched if she had been still

Flight Deck Electrician 1964-65

[Ben1son]

@billt1ify What's remarkable about this is that they probably have 20 knot winds from their stern.

[jamesdewer]

@billt1ify I was an EM in Flight Deck Lighting on Enterprise. That is when I was not down in the place manning a switchgear.

[asian671]

@Ben1son when was this video taken?...i decommissioned the Constellation in 2003 and was the last of her crew, but the video was uploaded in 2009?

[Ben1son]

@asian671 I believe this was taken October 2000.

[MrFrank1948]

was this normal to launch aircraft in San Fran Bay? Looks like ship is barely m

oving.

[Ben1son]

@MrFrank1948 Yes...they did it at every Fleet Week until 9/11 happened. I'd say the ship was doing 40 knots. Remember that the Golden Gate Bridge is almost 2 miles long...that's why the Connie looks like she's going in slow motion.

[MrFrank1948]

@MrFrank1948 ok. I was on uss inchon from 81 - 85. I don't remember doing any flying until we left chesepeake bay by Va. beach. Heading out to sea.We had harriers on a north Atlantic cruise once, and we launched them in the Fjords of Norway.I think this is amazing that they launched those aircraft like that, coming under the bridge.

[bobbycv64]

Frank, no this is not normal. NAVY RULES. What ticks me off are these morons who think that anything in the air is Air Force, DUMB ASSESS.

Look at the Facts. Navy was first in SPACE (Shepard), first to Orbit (Glenn - yes I know Marines, still a Sailor), first on the Moon (Armstrong). Vietnam - first Ace, Air Force you loose.

I worked on the F14A and we had the TF30, what a piece, TF34 from GE was great and I know the F100 was excellent.

Nothing is better. BIG BAD AND HONKING - F14 TOMCAT.

[MrFrank1948]

was this normal to launch aircraft in San Fran Bay? Looks like ship is barely moving.

[PIredfish]

Most decorated ship during Vietnam, she earned her rest......!

[bobbycv64]

@PIredfish I was lucky to be on that ship, so many coincidences, trust me :-)

Same birth date and I and can go on and on. Just like the Beatles said, when I am 64, Yes, I will die when I am 64.

[blownglasslide]

I remember when Connie would come visit us in the bay. Those were good times :). Nowadays everything has to be so damn political. Back then, everyone got excited when she was in port! It didn't matter what you thought of the military or whatever, people just got excited to see the big ship. Now, we won't even let the new ones into the bay.

[Ben1son]

@blownglasslide I agree with you 100%.

[bennettdo75]

Miss the old Connie, "A" Gang 94-97, I remember my first WESPAC like it was last week!!! Now I'm a SEABEE and tell sea stories to kids who will never get to see the true side of the navy!!

[not0my0style]

That is an amazing video, thanks for sharing!

[nefariousowl]

Damn. After 20 years the sight and sound of a cat shot still get my heart racing. Thanks, Ben1son! I served in 2 AMR back in '89-'90...

[dironifish]

I was also a boiler tech onboard between 77 and 80. I worked in the Cat Steam Shop

[rjpier61]

I served onboard from 1979 - 1982 as an Engineering Boiler Technician...

[RickyJ46]

Outstanding!

[DaJaKL]

Great Video! I was stationed onboard Connie during this time. I remember this very vividly, but I've never seen this angle before!