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2213Z 08 June 1967 transmitted message text from
U.S.S. America to
Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)


P R 082213Z JUN 67
FM USS AMERICA
TO OASD PA
INFO COMSIXTHFLT
BT
C O N F I D E N T I A L
FLEET PAO SENDS
1. FOLLOWING NEWS COPY FORWARDED FOR YOUR ACTION.
2. QUOTE DPR COLLECT ASSOCIATED PRESS, WASHINGTON, D.C. FIRST LEAD
ABOARD THE CARRIER AMERICA IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, JUN 8 (AP) U.S.
ATTACK PLANES WERE SUDDENLY ARMED WITH 500-POUND BOMBS AND AIR-TO-
GROUND MISSILES TODAY FOR A MISSION UNKNOWN. PARA
URGENCY GRIPED THE FLIGHT DECK AS THIS AIRCRAFT CARRIER BEGAN
RECALLING PLANES WHICH HAD JUST BEEN LAUNCHED ON PRACTICE EXERCISES.
PARA
A-4 SKYHAWK BOMBERS AND F-4 PHANTOM INTERCEPTORS ARE BEING
READIED FOR WHAT APPEARED TO BE POTENTIAL AIR STRIKES. PARA
THE SMALL SUBSONIC SKYHAWKS CARRIED SIX 500-POUND BOMBS OR TWIN
BULLPUP AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILES. PARA
OFFICERS CLAMPED STRICT SECRECY OVER WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN AFOOT.
PARA
A NAVY SPOKESMAN TOLD ASSEMBLED NEWSMEN, WHO WERE PLACED UNDER
ESCORT, A SITUATION WAS UNDERWAY WHICH HE COULD NOT DISCUSS. BUT
HE ADDED THAT THE FLIGHT OPERATIONS HAD "NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY
SHIPS IN THIS VICINITY." PARA
THE SPURT OF ACTION BEGAN ABOUT MIDAFTERNOON AFTER TWO SOVIET
SHIPS PARTICULARLY A QUICK-MANEUVERING PATROL ESCORT CRAFT HAD
SYSTEMATICALLY HARASSED THE AMERICA, AND WHILE SIXTH FLEET UNITS
STOOD VIGIL IN AN AREA WHERE AN APPARENT SUBMARINE WAS EXPECTED TO
SURFACE. PARA
THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE INDICATION THE SOVIET HARASSMENT AND THE
ARMING OF U.S. PLANES WERE RELATED. PARA
(PICK UP) HORTON UNQUOTE
BT


Note: See COMSIXTHFLT 081716Z JUN 67 for reason press copy sent to OASD(PA).

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