Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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I DEPART attack. The fighters will be catapulted on the turn into 'the wind. Everything that was a tentative plan the night before now is reality. The first fighter leaves the deck as the sling shot sends him soaring into the air. The second follows directly and the third and fourth, until the floating airfield is left empty. The noise of the propellers has taken to the sky and the robust excitement of the men on the air strip van- ishes with the deckload. As our planes joined with other units of the fast Carrier Task Force they returned to circle above the fleet formation. For a brief while, hundreds of planes blanketed the sky above and gave each man a thrill of power. Then the Combat Air Patrol is sent out against the bogies, and the first strike leaves for the target. Soon we hear that the incom- ing raid has been broken up. Permission to remove flash gear. The radar screen is free of strangers. Meanwhile the deck is again being spotted to launch the second strike. Time passes rapidly and in a few hours the same scene is again enacted. The second strike is launched shortly before the first one returns to home base. By this means, the target is saturated with continuous strikes. Our own Combat Information Center informs us that Lexington planes are nearing base and are ready to orbit over ship. l'Prepare to land aircraft. Again groups of men wait patiently at their posts to bring the returning strike safely aboard. The landing signals officer rogers g his team of men is ready. Land planes. The first plane drops from the waiting flight and circles in for a landing. The Landing Signals Offi- cer creates a picturesque statue as he stands on his platform on the port side of the stern. The two flags held firmly in his hands guide the planes onto the strip. Metal cables across the width of the deck are elevated to a high enough level to catch the tail hooks of the landing planes. There are many haazrds that exist during a landing. Frequently the enemy leaves his mark and the planes return badly shot up. At times the wheels have been shot off, or the tail hook, or the flaps, or the pilot has been injured. C.l.C. reports that plane No. 18 has lost his wheels and the pilot requests permission to come aboard. The Air Boss consents but tells the radio operator to inform the pilot he will land last. The men on the flight deck speculate as the last plane orbits above andithen rounds the circle to approach. ffl? 1