THE U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER "CORE" ARRIVED IN SAIGON ON DEC 11 TO HAND OVER TO SOUTH VIETNAM GOVERNMENT A HELICOPTERS AND T-28 TRAINER PLANES. AS THE CARRIER MOVED UP THE SAIGON RIVER TO THE CAPITAL SAIGON, THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE INCLUDING AIRFORCE AND OTHER SERVICE OFFICERS WELCOMED THE SHIP, FROM THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

THE OFFER OF HELICOPTER AND TRAINER PLANES WAS ACCORDING TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH VIETNAM AND THE UNITED STATES FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST COMMUNIST VIET CONG REBELS WHO ARE CREATING A MILITARY SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC. ALONG WITH ARMS THERE WERE ALSO A NUMBER OF TECHNICIANS ON BOARD THE SHIP.