Search and Rescue

Med Cruise January 1977

On the night of 17 January 1977, while enroute to join Task Force Bravo in the Mediterranean Sea, the CALIFORNIA received a Distress SOS message from the Rescue Coordinating Center in Gibraltar, stating that a small Spanish merchant ship was sinking with eight men on board in the Algerian Sea about 90 miles from our position. We immediately put on top speed and closed the distress position as only CALIFORNIA's propulsion plant can do. About an hour before our arrival, the Rescue Center advised that a closer merchant tanker had arrived on scene and helicopters had rescued the survivors. We then continued to join the Task Group. California was praised by Commander Task Force 60, Rear Admiral Carroll, for alert and rapid response.
On the evening of 19 January a NIMITZ F-4 crashed into the sea after the pilot and co-pilot had ejected..CALIFORNIA responded immediately and rapidly got into position to make the recovery, arriving on station to assist the NIMITZ helicopters which were allowed to make the recovery for training. Fortunately the pilots were safely retrieved. CALIFORNIA's motor whale boat picked up much crash debris and the pilot's rafts, ejection seats, and other survival equipment. The crew's response to this emergency was outstanding.
Very early on the morning of 23 January a NIMITZ crew member was reported overboard. The man was sighted in the water by our alert bridge watch. CALIFORNIA was able to rescue the man in a few minutes in extremely foul weather, darkness, rain, wind, and high seas due to the heroic action of the motor whale boat crew: LCDR Joe Barker, FTMC Earl Burgess, BM2 Mark Gage, SN Maurice Campbell, ENFN Millsapp, and HM3 Lawrence Holmes. The following two messages were received the next day from Commanding Officer USS NIMITZ and Commander Task Force 60 respectively:
YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING NIMITZ CREWMAN UNDER EXTREMELY DIFFICULT NIGHT, HEAVY WEATHER CONDITIONS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE ALERTNESS OF YOUR BRIDGE TEAM AND THE SUPERB PERFORMANCE OF YOUR DECK DEPARTMENT ARE WORTHY OF HIGHEST PRAISE. A PROFESSIONAL JOB BY A PROFESSIONAL SHIP."
"QUICK RESPONSE AND SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY OF NIMITZ MAN OVERBOARD DURING MID WATCH NOTED WITH GREAT PLEASURE. HIGH LEVEL OF READINESS MOST REASSURING. WELL DONE." RADM Carroll.

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