AMERICAN WARSHIPS PATROLLING GULF OF TONKIN; AIRCRAFT CARRIER "CONSTELLATION"; ACTIVITIES ON FLIGHT DECK; BOMBS FOR LOADING ONTO JETS; PARKED PLANES; JETS AWAY ON BOMBING MISSION OVER NORTH VIETNAM.




Initials RM/V/JF/ES



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Background: AMERICAN WARSHIPS CONTINUE TO PATROL THE GULF OF TONKIN, 75 MILES OFF THE COAST OF NORTH VIETNAM, TO PREVENT NORTH VIETNAMESE COASTAL SHIPPING CARRYING WAR SUPPLIES TO THE SOUTH. THEY INCLUDE FIVE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS WITH A TOTAL OF 400 AIRCRAFT.

EVERY DAY THE JETS ARE LOADED WITH 500 POUND BOMBS OR NAPALM -- ALL MEANT TO KNOCK OUT VITAL MILITARY INSTALLATION IN THE NORTH. THE CONSTANT BOMBINGS ARE IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S RECENT STATEMENT THAT BOMBING OF NORTH VIETNAM WOULD NOT STOP "UNLESS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL NOT LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE CASUALTIES WE SUFFER."
THE CARRIERS ARE PART OF TASK FORCE 77, THE SEVENTH FLEET'S ATTACK CARRIER STRIKING FORCE. SINCE JANUARY 1965, NAVY PILOTS HAVE FLOWN MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND MISSIONS OVER NORTH VIETNAM. EACH PILOT MAKES ONE OR TWO FLIGHTS EVERY 12 HOURS.

FOR THESE AIRCRAFT OF THE "CONSTELLATION", THE DAY'S SCORE WAS SOME 20 BARGES AND SUPPLY BOATS, 14 TRUCKS, SEVEN ROADS AND BRIDGE APPROACHES AND A FERRY CROSSING POINT SETTING OFF A SECONDARY EXPLOSION, 15 MILES FROM THE NORTHERN CITY OF VINH.