Monday, May 6, 1968
[Page 111]. MON. 6 MAY, 1968. AT SEA, SAR STATION. CONDITION III SET. SUNNY, WARM, RAIN. 0930 — MAIL BROUGHT ABOARD BY HELO', 2- LETTERS. 2030 — REFUEL FROM USS TAPPAHANNOCK (AO-43).
Original Logbook Page
Jouett Jargon, 4 May 1968 — "MIG 21 SHOT DOWN OVER GULF": The ship's newspaper initially reported a MIG-21 shot down by Navy F-4 Phantom pilots Lt. John E. Ryan and LCDR Barlan Hall from USS Ranger. Jouett launched her SAR helicopter to search for the assumed pilot. "Two days later it was disclosed that the 'Mig' reported shot down was actually a USAF drone carrying radar and radio detection gear over North Viet Nam." The parachute was the drone's equipment recovery chute. [Jouett Jargon]
From Mike's letter, 2 May 1968: "Just a short while ago two Migs were shot down by aircraft from the Ranger, one of the carriers out here. We sent our helo out to search for the VC pilots but I don't think they will have any luck." — Mike wrote this before the drone revelation. [Letter]
From Mike's letter, 2 May 1968: "Our gun system is in pretty bad shape. The fire-control radar is down and we are waiting on parts. Two of the three gun mounts are down and also awaiting repair parts. It kind of makes a guy wonder just what we would do if we had to have some defense sometime." [Letter]