Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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UUR STORY The men of the USS PINE ISLAND traveled more than 30,000 miles during their nine month deployment in the Far East this cruise. For many of them, it was their first visit to the ports of Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwakuni and Kobe, Japan, the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and Pago Pago Tutuila in the Samoan Islands. ' When the PINE ISLAND departed San Diego on 13 September 1965, she became the flagship for Rear Admiral R, M, ISAMAN, Commander Patrol Force, SEVENTH Fleet, and Commander Fleet Air Wing ONE, As flagship, the PINE ISLAND provided lodging and communications facilities for the Admiral and his staff for the conduct of daily business. After arriving in Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, the PINE ISLAND operated around the clock in support of SP5-B seaplanes. While under operational control of the PINE ISLAND, these seaplanes conducted shipping, antisubmarine and junk surveillance in the South Vietnam area. Our medical staff was busy too, giving medical and dental care to the Vietnamese in several of the villages in the Cam Ranh Bay area. While she was operating at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, PINE ISLAND provided fuel, arms, and engine repairs for long-range reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare seaplanes patrolling the Taiwan Straits in support of Market Time Operations. Late in our cruise, we were nominated to participate in the 1966 Coral Sea Celebration in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. General visiting and special group tours were held aboard ship to celebrate the joint American- Australian victory of World War II, Special parties, dinners and dances were spon- sored by the Australian-American Association. The Coral Sea Celebration proved to be a much enjoyed break for the men from the routine of Western Pacific Operations while it promoted America's good will among the Australians and New Zealanders. During our return trip to San Diego, the PINE ISLAND was directed to Niue Island to pick up a small boy afflicted with a serious paralytic disease. Because of heavy seas, the child could not be rescued from the island by seaplane. There- fore, the PINE ISLAND delivered the child 300 miles northwest to Pago Pago Tutuila in the Samoan Islands for further care. Enroute to Pago Pago, the boy developed problems breathing, and our doctor saved his life by performing a trache- otomy. To you, the sweethearts and families of the men of PINE ISLAND, who made mail call mean what it does, we tell our story. Here are the deeds we did, and the places we visited. Wiw1i,--T1 - .. ..-..v....,-,,..,,---.,.- --...-. , --vn-

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