Tuesday, June 4, 1968

USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 104-105

As JOUETT'S second line period ended and our third began, the ship had gained

proficiency in search and rescue work, through actual practice. To further comple-

ment the DLG/UH-2 SAR Team, JOUETT'S combat information center maintained close

radio and radar contact with all aircraft flying into North Vietnam. Should one of these

aircraft encounter difficulty, the word was passed from CIC "SAR Alert--SAR Alert";

The CIC watch section was bolstered by the presence of additional officers and en-

listed men who man highly sophisticated electronic search equipment. At the same

time, the helicopter was readied for immediate launch. As the officer of the deck

turned the ship into the wind, pilots and flight crew dashed to the Helo, the ship's

Helo detail manned their stations. Within minutes, the Helo was cleared for take-off

and rose into the air, slowly at first, then rapidly accelerating toward the SAR

location.

[Photo: Rescued aviator and crew members on flight deck near helicopter after SAR mission, aviator being escorted from the aircraft]

[Photo: Landing Signal Director from behind, waving paddles to guide returning helicopter onto flight deck]

Five times, the scene of a successful SAR landing was repeated, and eight Navy

fliers owe their lives and their freedom to JOUETT'S SAR Team. In the pages that

follow, no captions are necessary. The relief, elation and fatigue evident in the faces

of rescued pilots and radar intercept officers speak louder than words in describing

the value of the contribution of the USS JOUETT.

USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 106-107

[Photo: Rescued aviator in wet, mud-covered flight suit being escorted below decks by smiling Jouett crew members and officer, all visibly elated]

[Photo: Rescued aviator wearing glasses, wrapped in blanket on a stretcher/litter on deck, crew members standing around him looking relieved]