The Enduring Legacy of USS Lexington CV-16: A Training Carrier's Story
" "Between 1962 and 1991, USS Lexington CV-16 served the United States Navy as a training carrier for over three decades. This period encompassed a range of developments in naval aviation and ship design. This article explores the reasons behind USS Lexington's remarkable longevity and its eventual retirement, providing insights into the challenges and benefits of sustained operational service.
" "Selection and Operational Capabilities
" "USS Lexington was chosen as the replacement for USS Antietam in 1962 because it utilized steam catapults, which allowed for the operation of heavier aircraft. Unlike Antietam, Lexington's design was better suited to handle the new supercarriers being built. This capability made her a valuable training vessel, especially in the Gulf of Mexico where she could conduct training exercises without the intense demands of a combat mission in the Vietnam war zone.
" "Despite her age and the introduction of superior ships, Lexington remained capable of operating training aircraft such as the T-2 and TA-4 until her retirement. Her smaller size also contributed to lower operational costs compared to supercarriers, making her an attractive option for the Navy's training needs.
" "The Transformation of the Navy's Long-Term Planning
" "The naval strategy of the early 1980s involved retiring USS Lexington by the early 1980s, with USS Midway set to take over the training role. However, this plan was disrupted when President Ronald Reagan and the "600 Ship Navy" initiative prolonged the active duty of carriers Coral Sea and Midway. As a result, USS Lexington remained in service for nearly a decade beyond her expected retirement, despite showing signs of wear and tear by the late 1980s.
" "The shortage of spare parts from mothballed Essex-class carriers and the end of the Cold War eventually allowed the Navy to designate Forrestal as the training carrier. This transition marked the end of the Lexington's training service, highlighting the impact of regional conflicts and strategic shifts on naval operations.
" "The Twilight of USS Lexington's Service
" "USS Lexington's extended service in the training role allowed her to undergo an extended career, "twilighting" through its final years. Throughout her service, she remained a vital part of the Navy's training infrastructure, ensuring that newer, more capable carriers could be prepared for their roles.
" "Despite her invaluable contributions, the era of dedicated training carriers came to an end. The Navy's realization that a specialized training carrier might not be necessary led to the decommissioning of Forrestal after just two years of service. The cancellation of her final overhaul project further underscored the changing priorities within the naval command.
" "Personal Reflections and Tours
" "I had the chance to tour USS Lexington in 1987 during the liberty rest period of USS Hyman G. Rickover. The fascination with the operations of a carrier, even one as old as Lexington, was truly remarkable. My friend who served on USS Kennedy, a supercarrier, felt the decommissioning of Lexington was a significant moment in his career.
" "Keywords: USS Lexington, training carrier, US Navy