Remembering the Crew of Ranger 12

Thirty four years ago today, on January 25, 1987 Ranger 12, an EA-3B “Whale” (BuNo 144850) belonging to VQ-2, was lost while attempting to land on the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). Ranger 12 was returning from an operational mission in the Eastern Mediterranean and crashed off the NIMITZ’s flight deck. All seven aircrew were killed.

The aircraft attempted to catch the arresting gear wire 5 times to no avail. During one of the landing attempts, the EA-3B drop out of view below the flight deck almost impacting the water.

At 10:55pm, LT Levine, the pilot, was told to “bingo,” and turn east toward an 8,000 foot runway at a naval air base on the island of Crete. “Bingo” means to give up, delaying operations the next day. To make to Crete, however, the EA-3B would have to refuel. Circling in a tight pattern over the USS NIMITZ was an A-7 attack plane converted to a tanker. Normally that role was reserved for the A-6, a larger, two-engine jet that provides a steadier platform. The smaller plane is more difficult to refuel from. It was a crucial difference.