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Stormy Seas
Refueling at Sea
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Refueling Big Mother 66 Air Force rescue helo's in the North Tonkin Gulf, Yankee Station, 1967. During at least one of these refuling details we had gotten a little close inside Chinese waters and the helo pilot could be heard on the radio being a little nervous and wanting to "break away and get the hell outa here" Can we blame them? Our heading to get the right wind was almost due north and it was taking a little longer than usual. We needed to  maintain the right relative wind and speed and could not change while refuling. These guys would fly in and rescue downed pilots and would sometimes need rescue themselves when shot down. It was a dangerous duty. Had the Chinese noticed us in thier waters they could have fired on us anytime. We had gone well into the 12 mile international limit and were closing in on the 3 mile limit. As soon as the Captain heard the breakaway signal we turned and headed South outa harms way and avoided an international incident with the Chinese. Fortunately the New had officers and crew with courage and leadership. Thank you Captain Nolan.
In 1967 New's first duty in the Tonkin Gulf was North Sar (search and rescue). New was the first Navy ship to refuel a US Army helo. The Jolly Green Giant, Big Mother 66 as they were called would fly up to the gulf and spend hours on patrol waiting to pick up downed pilots from strikes over Hanoi and North Vietnam. Our call sign was Oasis and we truly provided and Oasis for these helos when they needed fuel. New patrolled the northern part of the gulf and was near the Chinese borders quite often. China was no friend to the US at that time and a fragile one at present. Speck in the distance is the USS  William V. Pratt DLG 13 at about 10,000 yards (5 miles). Photo was taken with an old Polaroid by Rick Palmer
" Now Station the Helo Detail"

Jolly Green Giant being refueled from New's DASH deck
New refueled carrier based Navy helos too. This one from a carrier far to the South would bring mail and transport personel as well as be on station for rescue of downed pilots. This is a Navy SH3.
If anyone wants copies of these photos emailed contact Rick Palmer. Also if anyone has any you want to share email me . Would love to hear from anyone with or without photos.
New has a Reunion Association.
If you aren't a member already and want to join contact Dennis Butler or Military Locator and Reunion Services  http://www.mlrsinc.com/. Next Reunion is in Norfolk Va, Sept. 17 to 21 2003
Navy SH3 dropping mail. We prayed they didn't drop it in the wrong place too.
Lt. Griffith who was weapons officer is leaving the ship in style being hoisted into an SH3. So long Lt. We'll see you at a reunion sometime in the future.