South China Sea - 1967 -
Nov 15, 2019 12:11:06 #
I was a US Navy Photographer and I took this photo during launch operations while cruising off the coast of North Vietnam in 1967, during the mining of the harbor of Hai Phong and bombing the capital city of Hanoi.
The excitement, the smells, the sounds, the adventure, the danger involved in being part of the flight deck operations is beyond description.
How much more adventure can a young man have than to sit with your legs dangling out of a helicopter while taking photographs of your ship?
The excitement, the smells, the sounds, the adventure, the danger involved in being part of the flight deck operations is beyond description.
How much more adventure can a young man have than to sit with your legs dangling out of a helicopter while taking photographs of your ship?
Nov 15, 2019 12:17:12 #
Nov 15, 2019 12:27:51 #
Nice shots. A young photograhers dream, lots of adrenaline flowing. Is that a replenishment vessel alongside?
Nov 15, 2019 13:26:38 #
Wasabi wrote:
Nice shots. A young photograhers dream, lots of adrenaline flowing. Is that a replenishment vessel alongside?
Yes, it was an oil tanker. Both ships along side it were taking on fuel for the ships and for the airplanes.
Nov 15, 2019 13:48:04 #
trainspotter
Loc: Oregon
USS Constellation? CV64? I served on the Kitty Hawk CV63.. Thank you for your service.
Nov 15, 2019 13:54:24 #
Dewman wrote:
I was a US Navy Photographer and I took this photo... (show quote)
Very nice!
I was an AO on Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin on Yankee Station in 1967
Nov 15, 2019 14:34:59 #
Thanks for all the comments. It was the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14. She was a WWII-era Essex-class carrier, still with a wooden flight deck. She took two direct hits during a kamikaze raid on 21 Jan, 1945. She went on to serve in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She's now probably part of a Toyota bumper.
She was one bad-assed, fighting lady! We dropped more ordnance than many of the modern carriers. We had to retire from duty in Vietnam due to a horrific crash on the flight deck that destroyed all our landing light system and arresting gear. We were sent to Bremmerton, Washington for repairs.
We held the distinction (AFAIK) of having the last operational fighting squadron of A-1 Skyraiders. It was a radial-engined close air support plane that the ground pounders loved!
She was one bad-assed, fighting lady! We dropped more ordnance than many of the modern carriers. We had to retire from duty in Vietnam due to a horrific crash on the flight deck that destroyed all our landing light system and arresting gear. We were sent to Bremmerton, Washington for repairs.
We held the distinction (AFAIK) of having the last operational fighting squadron of A-1 Skyraiders. It was a radial-engined close air support plane that the ground pounders loved!
Nov 15, 2019 14:37:55 #
Mac wrote:
Very nice!
I was an AO on Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin on Yankee Station in 1967
I was an AO on Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin on Yankee Station in 1967
I'm sure we crossed paths at some point or other.... maybe in Olongapo? Yokosuka?
Nov 15, 2019 17:13:59 #
Nov 15, 2019 18:06:20 #
Very nice set Dewman welcome home and thank you for your honorable and faithful service to our country
SFC Swanson US Army retired
SFC Swanson US Army retired
Nov 16, 2019 05:43:34 #
Those were the days. Personally, I'm glad I was part of all this.
Ken
Ken
Nov 16, 2019 05:43:34 #
Those were the days. Personally, I'm glad I was part of all this.
Ken
Ken
Nov 16, 2019 05:51:00 #
Closest I got was ferrying Airmen about in my part-time minicab. They were based in High Wycombe UK in Naphill transit camp before heading to Asia. I learned to enjoy ice-cold Budweiser and Shlitz, which were not usual UK retail products in those days. Made some great American friends. Thanks to all who helped to preserve a free world.
Nov 16, 2019 06:48:25 #
Dewman wrote:
I was a US Navy Photographer and I took this photo... (show quote)
I was over there (Yankee Station) '65 and'66. USS Kearsarge, CVS33. Same class ship. I was an ET, maintained shipboard radar.
Ken S.
Nov 16, 2019 07:39:40 #
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