Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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A RECORD LANDTNG A It began as a wild plan in Patuxent River, Maryland at the Naval Air Test center. A year later, it became a reality. The assignment: determine the feasibility operation a C-130 'Hercules' aircraft aboard a FORRESTAL-class aircraft carrierf, USS FORRESTAL HCV-592 became the testing platform for the largest aircraft ever to land on the flight deck of a carrier. The C-130 that was chosen for the exercise was on loan from the U.S. Marine Corps. To land on board the ship, modifications had to be made with the plane to adapt it to the carrier environment. Refueling pods on the wings were removed, an improved braking systems was installed, and nose landing gear needed adjustments to handle the landing. Onboard FORRESTAL, the ship flight deck configurations were altered. Arresting cables were removed from the after part of the shipg the C-130 would not rely on a tailhook to land. Additionally, a white centerline was painted from the ramp to the bow to assist the pilots in landing the mammoth plane. The landing signal officer blast shield was also lowered to ensure wing tip clearance. Three separate trials were began on October 30, 1964just 22 days after the Navy received the C-130 from the Marines. Takeoffs and landings were tested with airplane gross weights ranging from 88,000 to 121,000 pounds. Although FORRESTAL C-130 tests were successful, a C-130 never landed aboard another carrier again preserving FORRESTAUS claim as having the largest aircraft ever to land on a carrier flight deck.

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JAMES B. FORRESTAL James V. Forrestal was born in Beacon, New York, February 15, 1892. After graduation from high school, he attended Bartsmouth College and Princeton Uni- versity. Forrestal worked for short periods of time as a financial reporter and a tobacco salesman. During 1915, he entered the banking business in New York City. At the outbreak of World War I, Forrestal en- listed in the United States Navy. He was later commis- sioned as a Naval Aviator and served both in this coun- try and abroad. He was discharged in 1919 and reen- tered the banking industry. In June 1940, he accepted a post as Administrative Assistant to President Roosevelt, serving as Liaison for the President in the National Defense Program. In August 1940, he was appointed to the newly created office of Under Secretary of the Navy. Forrestal was appointed Secretary of the Navy in May 1944. He took the oath of office as the country's first Secretary of Defense in September 1947. He resigned in 1949 and entered the hospital in April of the same year. He died on May 22, 1949. A bronze bust of Forrestal at the entrance to the Pentagon bears the following inscrip- tion: This memorial to James V. Forrestal, as a sponta- neous tribute to his lasting accomplishments in provid- ing national security and his selfless devotion to duty, was erected by thousands of his friends and co-workers of all ranks and station. ll