Corinto, Nicaragua
"Saratoga" was commissioned one month earlier than her sister ship, "Lexington". As the ship was visually identical to "Lexington", her funnel was painted with a large black vertical stripe to help pilots recognize her. She began her shakedown cruise on 6 January 1928 and five days later Marc A. Mitscher landed the first aircraft on board. Later that month, the rigid airship was refueled and resupplied when she moored to "Saratoga"s stern on 27 January. That same day, the ship sailed for the Pacific via the Panama Canal, although she was diverted briefly en route to carry Marines to Corinto, Nicaragua, before joining the Battle Fleet at San Pedro, California, on 21 February. On 15 September, Captain John Halligan, Jr. relieved the newly promoted Rear Admiral Yarnell. Panama Canal pilots had never before handled a ship with such a significant flight deck overhang. "Saratoga" knocked over all the adjacent concrete lamp posts while passing through the Gatun locks.