Background
Forrestal had departed Norfolk in early June 1967. Upon completion of the required inspections for the upcoming WESTPAC Cruise, she then went on to Brazil for a show of force. She then set sail around the horn of Africa, and went on to dock for a short while at Leyte Pier at N.A.S. Cubi Point in the Philippine Islands before sailing to "Yankee Station" in the Gulf of Tonkin. For four days in the gulf, aircraft of Attack Carrier Air Wing 17 flew about 150 missions against targets in North Vietnam. Because of a shortage of 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg) bombs, old Composition B bombs (World War II-vintage AN-M65s) had been loaded from the ammunition ship USS Diamond Head, instead of newer Composition H6 filled (500-lb. Mk 82 and 1,000-lb. Mk 83), capable of withstanding higher temperatures.
Read more about this topic: 1967 USS Forrestal Fire
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