America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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AMERICA heels fat' on l'16l' Starboard side during a high gpeed aqqepfance Uigljh Vw N V rim-MNWWKYYYWW-MNA Above: Mrs. David L. McDonald speaking at christening ceremonies. Left: AMERICA leaves Newport News. Far left: The tradi- tional bottle of champagne has been bro- ken, and AMERICA is now ready to join the Fleet.

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Crewmen board AMERICA prior to her commissioning ceremonies. On the way down to Guantana- mo Bay, Cuba, for her initial train- ing, the carrier recorded her first launch and recovery. The ship's Executive Officer, CDR Kenneth B. Austin, was catapulted off and recovered flying an A-4 Skyhawk. The subsequent training at GITMO was extremely successful. AMERICA received the third highest mark ever given by Fleet Training Group. AMERICA and her crew were well prepared for their first challenge. Their initial deployment was a tour with the U.S. fleet in the Mediterranean. On AMERICA's second Medi- terranean deployment, she was awarded the Battle Efficiency E as best Atlantic Fleet aircraft carri- er. During this 1967 cruise, the Arab-Israeli War erupted in the Eastern Mediterranean. On 8 June 1967, the technical research ship USS LIBERTY CACTR-52 was at- tacked by unidentified sea and air forces. Within minutes AMERI- CA's F-4B fighters were on their way to protect LIBERTY. It was later learned that the attack was conducted by Israeli torpedo boats and aircraft. The next day, AMER- ICA met up with LIBERTY in Souda Bay, Crete. AMERICA's doctors and corpsmen were able to treat fifty wounded LIBERTY crewmen. , 'u 26 .Nl 7 ,L . if -.. ,,,.-an-' 1 ,.,,.r'hl

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' 'WP 1-1:-1g'1.:'-,ff--. U4 N -1 5 v 5? J'-v - . .4 . , .. 1 V, g,sIC-n:'L.j- 4 fe ' '-,' I. 1 -FY Cn BI May 1963. AMERICA, along with Airwing Six, faced their most serious challenge. They com- menced operations in the South China Sea during the Viet Nam War. During this period, AMERI- CA recorded 18,000 launches and recoveries without a single acci- dent. Eor this accomplishment she received the Navy Lfnit Commen- dation, the Admiral Flatley Safety Award, and the Naval Air Forces Atlantic Safety Award. Along with those distinguished awards, AMERICA earned her second consecutive Battle for the Pa- cific deployment. On 10 April 1970, AMERICA and Airwing Nine left Norfolk for their second WESTPAC deploy- ment. Upon arrival, AMERICA was designated flagship for the Seventh Fleet Attack Carrier Strik- AZE GRA ND ..l ' ,L.'a 'Q I -.. K , I f si L M ,sf ' Q An A-7 Corsair attack aircraft readies for take-off. . : - - -. W.. -' ',,. ' 1, ' M . - N, ,, '- r- J t-- .- 1-qu, fl . , I.,-L--., v.-N1-,,.-, ,. ,N V , vs.. i, ' 'f ., V Q ing Force. She operated in Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, launching strike missions over Southeast Asia. For their superb performance, both AMERICA and Airwing Nine were awarded Meri- torious I'nit Commendations upon their return to Norfolk. E A uss ntltn ol l The rain and wind across tre fl h - ' ' - ' 'S I Click COmb1ncd with the yet blast create an eerie effect ' ' ' nf 3- -ff X - -.va , ' ' ' Y '-1 ,. I. i I x, -Ju p, - . ' , - - ri.. ' ' 'Q v n 3-elven. I sa, , ' ' ' ' A ' . . . ' ' U .. 5 V ..- . .., .'-,. , -, ,.,. . ,, . - , , ,MW V n A W Y - ., ,Q V, H 5' ..:,u' Lt.. : L. T , D '41 g I Y A . ,-vin- . ,. .-Q.-a.. - . 1 . , .,. '.,' , ,. - . Q s '- -' 1 1 . -' - 'V ' f- . ,..,-I-.. 1 V nh.: xx, r 41,3 . V , if aaa