Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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HELICOPTER UTILITY SQUADRON TWO Despite a comic appearance, the twin rotored HUP is the Navy ' s most versatile helicopter. The awkward seem- ing bird can move at any angle, in any direction. In its belly, a large electrically operated hatch and hydraulic hoist enable quick access to the cabin from below, while the vast plexiglass nose allows a perfect panorama. This agile bird is a many-sided tool of the fleet. FORRESTAL ' s helos are backed up by a trained crew of twelve men, who fly as crewmen and maintain the air- craft at the end of each day. Every rescue crewman has volunteered for intensive instruction at the home base NAS Lakehurst. Their job asks constant attention to detail, and HU-2 ' s Detachment 42 — though unnoticed until they ' re needed — is the guardian angel of FORRESTAL operations. Only a downed pilot who has seen the helo hover above water to pull him out, can testify to this. LCDR. CHRISTIANSEN was born in Faulkton, South Dakota in 1922. Graduating from Athol High he was first employed by Douglas Aircraft in California. At the onset of World War II he entered the Coast Guard and in 1945 began his Naval flying career. Re- ceiving his wings in 1947 he was assigned to VA-16 and began a long association with AD type aircraft. In 1949 he won the unofficial title of Diving Bombing Champion of the Pacific Fleet, while flying the Able Dogs of VA-155. Since that time FASRON 8, VS-822, VA-175 and I.B.T.U. rosters have included his name. Introduced to Whirly Birds in October of 1957, he is presently on his third cruise with helicopters. LCDR EDWARD F. CHRISTIANSEN

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Back row, left to right: Robinson, R, C, AN; Davis, C- W,, AN; Taylor, A. L,, AT3; Straus, A. L., AN; Daugherty, G. W., ADl; Bowman, A, C, AE I ; Poison, R. E., AN. Mjddle ' row, left to right; Stigdon, M, E, AN; Shuford, R. ' (n), AE3; Conklin, A. E., AN; Breithaupt, S. C, AM3; Botes, G. L., AM3; Ralston, B. A,, AD3; Reinheimer, C. E., AN. Front row, left to right Nichols, M. M., AN; Smith, C. (n), AN; Nance, J. L., AD3 Davis G. D., ATC; Strong, R. E,, WOl; O ' Donnell, J., LCDR McKim, G. R,, ADC; Scobee, M. O., ADl; Hunter, C. C, AN Brookshire, S. P, AN. Back row, left to right: Mitchell, R. E., AN; Cobb, D. D., AE3; Heckmon, J. J., AN; Blom, D. F., AN; Witte, W. V., AN; Car- michael, J. L., AD3; Straus, A. T., AD3; Lindsey, J. L., AM3; Jackson, W. E., SN; Bodenstine, T. M., AE3. Third row, left to right: Skold, J. G., AN; Elvington, B. M., AT3; Jackson, T, G., AT3; Criego, R. W., AN; Mayotte, G. M., AMI; Rickord, H. S., AM3- Kitchens, E, D., AT3; McGuire, R. A., AM3; Beck, T. F., A03; Hoy, O. T., AN. Second row, left to right: Duncan, W. D., AM3; Ross, C. H., AM3; Andrus, R. E., AN; Frost, C. J., AM2; Gentry, J E., AT2; Carter, K. D., AM3; Corufel, J. J., AN; Brier, D. A., AN; Guiliani, M. J., AM3; Brown, J. L., AN. Front row, left to right: Rugg, F. A., ADl; Noley, C. W., PRl; Laws, C. L., AD2; Orwiler, 8. L., ATC; Strong, R. E., WO- 1 ; O ' Donnell, J., LCDR; Stone, E. F., ADC; Lane, E. L., AECS; Dillard, N., AM2; Simmons, N., AN.

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The Angel Detachment is aptly named. Beyond their evangelical rescue duties, they provide each Sunday a HOLY HELO to transfer the Chaplain from ship to ship. The motto of HUTTRON TWO, Service to the Fleet, also has several senses. With their four pilots alternating during every daylight hour, at least one of the two Whirly- birds is bound to be at work, transferring parts, cargo, mail and personnel, flying plane guard, shooting photos, or help- ing in gunnery and radar calibration. Even in port, many hops are flown to the local airfield for the convenience of the ship ' s company proficiency pilots. Left to right; Erhordt, F. J., ENS; Kaus, R. W., LTJG; Christiansen, E. F,, LCDR; Bierschenk, F. P., LTJG.