Return to Quarterdeck Photo Page 2 Stormy Seas Refueling at Sea if you have any photos you would like to include contact Rick Palmer

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. Fortunately the New had officers and crew with courage and leadership. Thank you Captain Nolan.

New passing through the locks of the Panama Canal in 1967. An interesting passage. There was a Soviet Bloc Merchant behind us.