After sailing in the eastern Med for since Apr. 3rd, Ike with CVW-7 embarked moored in the Haifa, Israel harbor Apr. 14th. The crew was given ample liberty.
Boat tendering from ship to shore can involve hours of delay if the sea state is hazardous.
She departed here this date, Apr. 17th. The big event was a liberty call at Pattaya Beach, Thailand. This marked the first time an U.S. carrier visited Thailand on May 25, 1977. Other ports of calls were Singapore, Hong Kong, Pusan, and Yokosuka. Morris A. Peelle 'Connie' returned home on Nov. 21,1977.