Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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ff M Q, Helo Operations N.. Operation Handolasp

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F EBR UAR Y February found the USS Galapagos Ferryboat living up to her name. We ferried the scientists around the various is lands and operated our two helicopters as needed. The seaplanes from VP-48 left early that month, and we all envied them going home to San Diego. Toward the middle of the month, with the bow of the ship headed north and home, we began to retrace the miles back to our families. The only real liberty ofthe cruise was to be a much anticipated stop in Acapulco. Our eagerly awaited liberty had to wait though for a few extra days when we were diverted to Panama to pick up a seaplane which had gone down with engine trouble. The hangar and seaplane decks were getting rather crowded by this time with two helicopters, a seaplane and all the air department boats. A11 this delayed us two days, but we still made it to Acapulco. We spent an enjoyable three days in this playground on the west coast of Mexico and in doing so managed to release many of the tensions that had built up during our stay away from civilization, The following Monday, February 24, we arrived in San Diego. By that afternoon, everyone who could manage it was ashore, many of them until Friday thanks to Captain Cooper's decision to grant open gangwayf' Those who had to remain aboard were not too unhappy as holiday routine was observed throughout the ship. The end of February found the nearly deserted PINE ISLAND at Pier lndia,North Island. One thought seemed to pervade the atmosphere- never again.

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