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WE SAVED KUWAIT NOW LET'S SAVE RANGER!
On 2 August 1990, without provocation, the Iraqi army invaded and overran its peaceful neighbor Kuwait, quickly positioning itself for further incursion into Saudi Arabia. On 17 January 1991, following six months of unsuccessful negotiations, a coalition of twenty-six countries, under auspices of the United Nations, launched Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait.  | | Desert Storm Homecoming |
Ranger and Air Wing Two played a lead role in Desert Storm, launching the initial air strikes of the war, conducting sustained combat operations, and then remaining on station in the Persian Gulf at the conclusion of active combat operations to ensure the cease fire held. Over the 43 days of combat Ranger conducted 24-hour-a-day air combat operations with the motto "We Own the Night". Two squadrons of A-6's, delivering ordnance and two squadrons of F-14's providing recce and Combat Air Patrol missions did the heavy lifting while our E-2's, S-3's, and helos gave great support. Air Wing Two, one of the very best in the Navy, featured a true Grumman deck load of superb aircraft equipped with the right tools, ordnance and skilled aviators to take the fight to the enemy. On a sad note, we lost an A-6 and crew, Lieutenants William Costen and Charles Turner. The support of the Ranger crew members was outstanding, working 24/7 to maintain aircraft, replenish provisions, fuel and ordnance. Truly a team effort by all hands. Top Gun Bar None! Ranger has been determined by the Navy worthy of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places by virtue of her combat record and being most representative of the Forrestal Class. Neither Forrestal nor Saratoga are available as they are listed for disposal. Ranger having never gone through SLEP, retains the most true configuration of the lead class of supercarriers. It is important that she be saved as an Historic National Treasure. It is also the heritage of all those who have served in the Navy and gone in harm's way. On the 20th anniversary of Desert Storm- donate to the USS Ranger Foundation.
Save Ranger as Ranger Saved Kuwait Your donation will help bring Ranger to a new home at Chinook Landing Marine Park on the Columbia River in Fairview, Oregon.
She will begin a new life as a Community Heritage Center, a memorial and museum representing all of the Navy supercarriers, past, present and future who serve the security interest of our Nation and the Free World.
As before, together we can win this battle in the preservation of (CV - By God- 61). ADM R. J. "Zap" Zlatoper, USN (ret) Battle Group Echo Commander RADM Ernie E. Christensen, USN (ret) Captain, USS Ranger RADM Jay Campbell, USN (ret) Air Wing Two Commander
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