"Kitty Hawk" arrived at Yokosuka, Japan on 19 November to relieve "Constellation" as flagship for Rear Admiral David C. Richardson, Commander Task Force 77. On 26 November, "Kitty Hawk" departed Yokosuka for Yankee Station via Subic Bay, and on 5 December, aircraft from "Kitty Hawk" began their around-the-clock missions over North Vietnam. About this time "Kitty Hawk" — already accustomed to celebrities as guests – entertained a number of prominent visitors: William Randolph Hearst, Jr.; Bob Considine; Dr. Billy Graham; Nancy Sinatra and John Steinbeck, among others. She remained in the Far East supporting the U.S. in Southeast Asia until departing Subic Bay on 28 May 1968. Steaming via Japan, the carrier reached San Diego on 19 June and a week later entered the naval shipyard at Long Beach for maintenance. "Kitty Hawk" returned to San Diego on 25 August and began a rigorous training program to prepare her for future action.