Intrepid (CVS 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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anned Space Program The period between lNTREPlD'S return to Norfolk, Virginia and the beginning of April 1965 was filled with intensive operational activity for the Ulf' and her crew. In addition, it was a peri- od in which the flexibility of Naval Air Power was demonstrated in the United States Manned Space Program, the star of the show being the l'Fighting l . INTREPID was selected by the Chief of Na- val Operations to be primary recovery ship for the United States manned-space program Project Gemini Three..The GT-3 launch was scheduled for late March 1965. Air Force Major Virgil Gus Grissom and Navy LCDR John Young were to be hurled into space for three orbits of the Earth by a Titan ll missile and make the return plunge through the atmosphere landing about 700 miles down the U. S. Eastern Missile range. Intrepid was to pluck them and the space capsule from the sea. Weather at Cape Kennedy was described as Good. There were clear skies along the coast with a few scattered high clouds. The astronauts were awakened at 0445 Tues- day 23 March 1965. They entered the Gemini vehicle at 0720 and the hatch was closed at 0745, At time minus 30, the activation of all space com. munications was carried out and, 10 minutes later, internal power for the craft was 'lon the line. At 3 minutes, 15 seconds after the craft's 0926 life-off, iettison was conducted and, at 5 minutes, 38 seconds after lift-off, the second stage engine cut-off occurred. Separation was complete and a confirmed orbit was made a scant five minutes and 58 seconds after the successful Cape Kennedy launch. Ther craft attained orbit at 0932. At that time, the estimated time of splash-down was 1416. Gus and John were on their way. At 0945, the craft with the call sign Molly Brown cleared the Canary Islands. At 1014 she was flying 100 miles in orbit over the South ln- dian Ocean. Throughout the Nation and the world, people watched and listened as the United States carried out its first two man space mission. President

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1 EWARF RE ontact helicopters would be dispatched to the C I Scene while the fixed-wing aircraft are attacking and maintaining contact. On arrival, the helicop- 'ers' with their dipping sonar, maintain contact, track, and attack when possible. To complete the re, a surface attack unit lSAUl consisting of two or three destroyers, is sent to the scene. On anivql of the destroyers, all units combine and the submarine is subiected to the concentrated of the surfacefair team employing tactics which exploit the best capabilities of each. The result .... a defeated submarine. On Q June day, a F L A S H message was delivered to flag plot. INTREPID and ASW Group Four were ordered to investigate pictu efforts speedily a Soviet Submarine patrolling the Mediterranean Sea. In incredibly fast reaction time, the Group was underway searching for the Red Sub. For the next twenty-one days, the ASW team led by Flag- ship INTREPID tracked and held contact with the Soviet submarine. This was a feat that would stagger the imagination considering the complex- ity of the operation, yet was so smoothly exe- cuted that no unfavorable incidents were reported and much valuable training under actual combat conditions was obtained by ASW Group Four. Then, in late August, through the straights of Gibraltar steamed the llFighting I with her razor sharp crew back to the United States to receive its Battle Efficiency Award. I l'l on mtrol over flu' .-ltluntic' occfrin. IIIITSSIIIICK' IJ UNL UQ ll C' I aw -P' - 'at ' - -Q--lik-f-.- E015 Q. f - vm el'-P -6 ik In-rsug 'T in ' -- 'flilfi

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GEMINI- TITAN 3 PICKUP 'N X X x X X N - is ?,,Q'ei Q1!I!' V J ji A- .. - ,N,,-N Jun- :va-Q K, Johnson ioined them, receiving direct reports. Meanwhile aboard the INTREPID on station down the missile range NASA, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Industrial, and media personnel awaited the splash down of Molly-Brown. It came at 1416. Both Astronauts were flown aboard by helicopter 74 minutes after the splash down. They hit the water some sixty miles from the recovery point causing the only departure from the near perfect mission. LCDR Warren Win- chester piloting an INTREPID-launched helo re- turned the space duo to homeplate where they were greeted by RADN. D. M. White, recovery area commander and Capt J. G. Smith, INTREPID Commanding Officer. They were hur- ried to sick bay for medical examination. There they also talked with President Johnson and Vice-President Humphrey who congratulated both astronauts on their successful journey. INTREPID did indeed keep her date with Gus and John.