Streamed live on January 27, 2025

We asked 17-year-old Navy history wunderkind Trey Burman for an off-the-cuff history of the USS Saratoga, a Cold War aircraft carrier. Here’s what he gave us. USS Saratoga (CV-60) was the second of the Forrestal-class aircraft carriers, serving in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1994. Here’s a detailed history of its service: Laid down: December 16, 1952, at New York Naval Shipyard

Launched: October 8, 1955

Commissioned: April 14, 1956

Shakedown cruise: The carrier conducted initial trials in the Caribbean.

First deployment: In 1958, Saratoga took part in Operation Strikeback, a major NATO exercise in the North Atlantic.

Lebanon Crisis (1958): Deployed to support U.S. military operations during the crisis in Lebanon, demonstrating naval air power in the Mediterranean. Spent much of the 1960s deployed with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, supporting Cold War deterrence missions. Vietnam War Service (1972)

Although originally an Atlantic Fleet carrier, Saratoga was sent to Vietnam in 1972. Participated in Operation Linebacker, conducting air strikes against North Vietnamese targets. Returned to the Atlantic after completing its tour in the Pacific.

Cold War Operations (1970s–1980s) Continued Mediterranean and Atlantic deployments, often serving as a key U.S. presence against Soviet naval forces.

Libya (1986): Saratoga took part in Operation El Dorado Canyon, launching F-14 Tomcats and A-6 Intruders during airstrikes against Libyan targets in response to terrorist activities. Underwent SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) overhaul (1980-1983) to extend its operational life.

Desert Storm (1991) Deployed to the Red Sea as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Conducted air strikes against Iraqi forces, supporting the liberation of Kuwait.

Played a critical role in enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq after the war. Decommissioning and Fate Decommissioned: August 20, 1994, after nearly 40 years of service.

Stricken: From the Naval Vessel Register in 1995.

Final Fate: After years in storage, Saratoga was scrapped in 2014-2019 at Brownsville, Texas.

Legacy The ship was one of the most active carriers during the Cold War, with significant operations in the Mediterranean, Vietnam, Libya, and the Persian Gulf. Many of its aircraft, crew members, and operations contributed to key moments in modern U.S. naval history.