USS Ranger (CVA-61)

U2 Special Operations

May 1964

Today I finally acquired pictures of the U-2 Spy Plane that operated from the USS Ranger in May of 1964.  We left Alameda, California with a few planes of our assigned Air Wing.  Once we were at sea several U-2 plans landed.  We conducted Special operations for about a week.  Once we realized that we had crossed the Equator it was determined that a Shellback Initiation should be conducted. 

I have the framed certificate and it states that the Initiation was conducted on May 20, 1064.  This Plane is on display at the Aviation Museum  at Warner Robins Airforce Base, Warner Robins, Georgia.  The wingspan of this plane is 80 feet.