Saw Fidel Castro face to face.... While on station during the Cuban Missile Crises; we transfered just off Havanna...

Date:   4/10/2006 6:10:20 AM ( 18 y ago)

We will pick up more on the war time cruising... 

 Ships, and Missiles, and guns; Oh MY!! 

We will tell about Fidel Castro @ Castillo de la Punta; right off Havana, harbor... 
There is much to see and hear; so  check back as we tell of the happens...

Well after a week off Cay Sal; we went into Key West to refuel, and pick up the crew members we left in Charleston with our quick mid nite departure....   Now we will be back at full complement....  We can now operate at a more normal rate.... 

BTW: I learned to write back wards, with a grease penile on the plot board, in CIC...  And to operate the Electro Counter Measure (ECM) gears as we scanned Cuba....   All of these things will forever remain in my memory...

We were assigned to escort the USS Oxford; AG159, an intelligence gathering ship, and sister ship to the USS Pueblo, captured off North Korea in 1968.... 
BTW: Some people called them Spy Ships....  Which is what they were!!
 So we would cruise just three miles off shore ( recognized international  limit),  and collect data.... 

Then we took up station of  Havanna...  At just three miles we could, see everything well along the coast...  This included the Russian ships, and of course  Castillo de la Punta, which is right at the entrance to Havana Harbor... 
We have 200mm aircraft spotting binoculars, which allowed a great view of the Palace which we could see Fidel Castro come out on the balcony, and watch us smoking one of his cigars...  Worry was written all over his face...

You never know what famous people you will meet in this life time.... I have seen some of the greatest....  Presidents, kings, news anchors, actors, astronauts, singers, and yes the most important common people....  Stay tuned as we look at these people on my unusual road of life....   You just never know what tomorrow will bring, friend!

We will take up the chase and boarding of a Russian when I pick this up on the next blog ...

See Ya in a bit...  K

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