America (CVA 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR Georges E. Leblanc EXECUTIVE IIEEICEII Commander Georges E. Le Blanc, Jr., has served as Executive Officer of USS AMERICA CCVA-661 since july 1971 when he relieved Commander Curtis A. Kavala. Commander Kavala was reassigned as Air Detailer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Commander Le Blanc entered the Navy in August 1950. He has been a naval aviator since November 1952. During an assignment with the Naval Air Special Weapons Facility, he flew actively in support of Atomic Energy Commission projects, participating in Operation Hardtack fthe atomic tests of 19582 as a weapons effects test pilot flying FJ-4 aircraft. Commander Le Blanc served as Projects Officer with Air Development Squadron SIX for two years. He was deployed aboard USS AMERICA and USS ENTERPRISE while Operations Officer with Attack Squadron 64. He also served as Executive Officer of Anti-submarine Fighter Squadron THREE deployed to Southeast Asia aboard USS INTREPID. He commanded Attack Squadrons 215 and 125. .1 V' '4 ,o .1 5 ' ' L31 1' iixfingf ffm 'Ya -4- if -.., ia -. il -6151-.Q 1 ' a,

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USS 'AMERICA CCVA-665 Five ships have gallantly carried the name AMERICA to sea: 1782 gun ship scheduled to be skippered by John Paul Jones but later presented to France, the winner of the first America's Cup race in 1852, and two pleasure liners modified to carry troops during the World Wars. USS AMERICA CCVA-66D is the first naval warship named AMERICA. Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., she was christened by Mrs. Catherine T. McDonald on February 1, 1964, three years after her keel was laid. Following commissioning ceremonies on January 23, 1965, Commander K. B. Austin, AMERICA's original Executive Officer, piloted an A-4 Skyhawk in the ship's first catapult launch and arrested recovery. AMERICA was presented the third highest mark ever awarded by the Fleet Training Group at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the spring of 1965 for her excellent Operational Readiness Inspection CORD. After a successful deployment to the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet which included visits to 11 ports and seven countries, AMERICA returned home on July 10. Ten days later, Captain Donald Engen relieved Captain Lawrence Heyworth, Jr. On her second deployment with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean in 1967, AMERICA received word that she had won the Battle Efficiency VE as the best Atlantic Fleet attack aircraft carrier for the 1966 competitive year. At midday, June 8, the USS LIBERTY CAGTR-55 was attacked by unknown air and sea forces. Within minutes, AMERICA's fighters were airborne to protect the Task Force and aid the LIBERTY, only to find the ,attack was accidentally committed. The next day the crippled ship came alongside AMERICA and 50 wounded LIBERTY crewmembers were transferred .aboard to be treated by AMERICA's doctors and corpsmen. One month before ending another successful' Mediterranean cruise, Captain Frederick C. Turner relieved Captain Engen as Commanding Officer. AMERICA began her first real test as a fighting vessel on May 31, 1968, when she and embarked Air Wing Six commenced flight operations in Vietnamese waters. For this war effort, involving not a single accident in 18,000 catapult launches and arrested recoveries, AMERICA was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service, the Admiral Flatley Safety Award and the Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Safety Award. During her third line period, AMERICA received her second consecutive Battle Efficiency HE . On October 4, Captain Richard E. Rumble became AMERICA's fourth Commanding Officer and guided the ship back to Norfolk. AMERICA entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on January 24, 19 69, just one day after her fourth birthday, for a ten month, 26 million dollar overhaul. During the overhaul, AMERICA's machinery and equi pnent underwent extensive repairs and modifications. The two major projects undertaken were a modernization of the ship's- weapons handling system and the installation of a highly efficient firefighting system. The AMERICA departed the shipyard as an operational aircraft carrier on November 17, 1969. Captain Thomas B. Hayward assumed command of AMERICA on December 20, 1969, and shortly thereafter guided her to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. OH April 10, 1970, AMERICA and embarked Air Wing Nine departed Norfolk for deployment in the Western Pacific. Upon her arrival at Subic Bay in the Republic of the Philippines, the 77,000-ton carrier became flagship for the Seventh Fleet Attack Carrier Striking Force, commanded by Vice Admiral Frederic A. Bardshar. She then began operating on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin where she launched strike missions over Southeast Asia. Captain Thomas B. Russell, fr., assumed command of AMERICA on November 2, 1970. Returning from deployment in the Western Pacific in D6C6II1bCf 1970, the AMERICA entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in January 1971. Getting underway again in March, the AMERICA participated in type training off the coast of Virginia. AMERICA departed for her most recent deployment to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean on july 6, 1971. There the huge attack carrier successfully completed numerous training missions and fleet exercises in company with both U. S. Sixth Fleet units and vessels of allied foreign nations. During the 1971 deployment, AMERICA visited nine foreign ports in four Mediterranean coastal nations. Embari-:ed aboard her was Attack Carrier Air Wing Eight. 7

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CTG 60. Rear Admiral Emmett H. Tidd, USN, assumed duties of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Six and Com- mander Task Group 60.2 in the Sixth Fleet in August 1971 when in change of command ceremonies held aboard USS AMERICA CCVA-665 at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, he relieved Rear Admiral Robert R. Crutchfield. A 26-year Naval officer, Admiral Tidd has been associated with destroyers for most of his naval career. His commands have included assignment as Commanding Officer of USS FORCE KMSO-4555, USS-RICHARD B. ANDERSON CDD-7965, USS CHARLES. F. ADAMS IDDG-25, and USS EVERGLADES KAD-241. His staff assignments include duty in the Office 'of the Chief of Naval Oper- ations whereghe served at various times as a key officer in the Special Plans Division, Strategic Plans Division and as Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations for Decision Coordination, Navy Department. He was Chief of Staff and Aide for the Commander, United States Naval Forces, Vietnam and Chief, Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, he and his family now make their official home at Tyler, Texas. . .- H-si ,.. ,hg- ,frr ' -, ,, h4 p.- fr 1 1 A l V r .-rm., 1, -.,,.. .Y ca-, I . Q nt, ', r