"I wouldn't be surprised if the US government considered recovering the space craft and crew to be an issue of national security."
To add to your point, with regard to Apollo 11, both ships and aircraft (Boeing EC-135) played a critical mission role (in addition to security) by extending the mission capability of ground-based tracking stations and satellites in the areas of telemetry acquisition, communications and contingency planning.
Some examples (non-exhaustive):
1. The USNS Vanguard was positioned in the Atlantic to provide communication and telemetry acquisition during the launch of Saturn V. In addition, it was also strategically positioned to serve in a post-launch contingency posture, if necessary.
2. Both USNS Huntsville and USNS Redstone acted as sea-based tracking stations, positioned in the Pacific. In addition to tracking the CSM (Command Service Module), they supported a communication link to the aforementioned aircraft that were being utilized to ensure that there was 100% communication coverage.
A note regarding the USS Hornet, since it has been mentioned in other posts: this aircraft carrier was selected to serve as the recovery ship. After all, this was an epic, history-making mission and event. This ship is now a National Historic Landmark.
To add to your point, with regard to Apollo 11, both ships and aircraft (Boeing EC-135) played a critical mission role (in addition to security) by extending the mission capability of ground-based tracking stations and satellites in the areas of telemetry acquisition, communications and contingency planning.
Some examples (non-exhaustive):
1. The USNS Vanguard was positioned in the Atlantic to provide communication and telemetry acquisition during the launch of Saturn V. In addition, it was also strategically positioned to serve in a post-launch contingency posture, if necessary.
2. Both USNS Huntsville and USNS Redstone acted as sea-based tracking stations, positioned in the Pacific. In addition to tracking the CSM (Command Service Module), they supported a communication link to the aforementioned aircraft that were being utilized to ensure that there was 100% communication coverage.
A note regarding the USS Hornet, since it has been mentioned in other posts: this aircraft carrier was selected to serve as the recovery ship. After all, this was an epic, history-making mission and event. This ship is now a National Historic Landmark.