USS Saratoga (CV-60) 1977 Cruise Sweatshirt

The USS Saratoga (CV-60) was a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier commissioned on April 14, 1956, and homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. Named for the pivotal 1777 Battles of Saratoga that convinced France to ally with the American colonies and help secure independence. During the 1977 Mediterranean deployment, Saratoga operated with the U.S. Sixth Fleet maintaining the forward presence that deterred Soviet naval expansion and kept allied sea lanes open throughout the Cold War. Her embarked air wing flew continuous readiness missions across the length of the Mediterranean. This sweatshirt honors the crew of USS Saratoga who served during the 1977 cruise.