On 16 February 1966 "Hoist" arrived at Palomares, Spain, to take part in the recovery of an H-bomb. The unarmed weapon was dropped when a B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 flying tanker collided. This recovery is a key event in the movie "Men of Honor". On 7 April after successful completion of the mission "Hoist" returned to Norfolk, where she arrived 4 May. "Hoist" performed salvage operations in the Virginia Capes area into 1967.