Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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v.3 DIv1s1oN Third ROW- left to right f J. B. Underwood, ALS, D. D. Sanders, AT3' R T Coiey, AEM3, W. V. Fleitz, ATI, C. W. Hift,iAO1g W. D. Harbin, AT3g R. F. Deenning, AEM1, R. W. Booth,AE1g J. L. Voth,, Al1'2g. L. W. Wood, Aoi, T. .Lg Clark, A015 and R. C. Ruda, AO3. ' ' ' Second Tow: P. W. Benedict, AEM3g P. H. Grady, ATI, C. Rice, AEM35 W. L. Wernet, AOU3g J. F. Reagan, AGU 3, A. F. Krasovetz, A0U3s G- E- Smith, AT3g.R. Gustafson, AOU3g AE. E. Carter, AN, C. Abendroth, AOU3g and W. J. Downey. AOU1. First row: J. A. Coleman, ATANQ N. L. Cartwright, AOU3g M. Kuryvial, ADANQ C. Wysornierski AOUC' GUN Pore' Lt CJG.JPatschke Division Officer, B, C. Woh-lafka, ATC, E. Kolasinski, AECQ J. D. Paytonri AO-U25 R-,L-.SOSQJCGQ AT-2,5 and if-, G- Mfgclillmzlke AL3-

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v.z mv1s1oN V-2 Division's main duties aboard ship include air- craft maintenance under the capable leadership of Lt. L. A. Dunlap, assisted by: C. N. McNamee, ADC, J. L. Anderson, AMCg L. N. Sneed, ADC, B. I. Holcomb, ADECQ W. T. Oxendine, ADC, and H. E. Swaney, ADC. V-2 was thoroughly organized right from commis- sioning when all air department personnel checking into the division were interviewed by the division officer and assigned to various duties where-they could best aid the department. Things were pretty quiet at Iwakuni with an -occassional check crew being dispatchedto assist VP-892 personnel, but a real test of the division's abilities came in February when it was necessary to change the port engine on Sugar Easy Two. In sevenidays the air- craft was ready togbe hoisted over and flows on a test hop. The, work could have been effected even sooner had it not been for an acute shortage of vital parts. At Okinawa, and later' in the Pescadores, the shops continued to give 'valuable assistance to VP-731. Upon arrival at i'Oki the shop was given the thankless task of keeping the hangar deck clean and did an excellent job under adverse conditions. V The Aviation Metalsmith Shop has been onepof the busiest shops on the ship. They have worked on every- thing from an RAF Sunderland flying boat to making ping-pong paddles for the crew. They made benches and tables, fixed chairs, rnade screens for all of the ports and also a canopy for the Captain's Gig. The leading white hat on most of these projects was . E. H. Simon Westbay, AMSI. Even with this heavy work load, the shop- has never received a .mark ofiless than excellent pon a COi's lower deck inspection! A The Parachute Loft is one of the most undermanned and little recognized shops on the ship and -yet its work has proven so vital the air dep'artment could not get along without it or the men who- staff it. Under the guidance of iK.R. McDonald, PR3, and C.D. Himmaugh, ADE3 the loft has cared for all aviation survival gear such as parachutes and life rafts, and was instrumental in rigging the new movie screen on the hang-ar deck They have also constructed puddings for the ARBS and seats .for all of the ship's vehicles One of the division's collateral duties was the operation of the ship's motor pool while we were at Iwakuni and Okinawa E. T. Skau, ADE1, was in charge of this detail The division is extremely proud of its accomplish ments and the memory of this cruise aboard the old Pineapple will remain with its personnel for a long time to come

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v-3 .DIVISION V-3 Division of the Air Department is divided into three groups: aviation ordnancemen, aviation electronics-- men, and aviation electricians. Working together, these groups play a highly important Apart in the successful operations of the Air Department. The ordnance gang, nicknamed Njato Trotters because of their main. duty, are charged with supplying planes with a sufficient amount of IATO for taking' off on each flight. In my 'addition to supplying JATO .the ordnance group, also belted numerous rounds of ammunif tion, before stowing, same in designated magazines. - Aviation Electrician'sf'are charged with the responsi- bility of upkeep and maintenance of the seadrome lights Setting up the lights in the areas, meant a continuous check on them for weakvbatteries, loose-anchorage, etc. I . The 'third V-3 group is the aviation electronicsmen, their work 'being confined to the shop located on the O-1 ,deck where all sorts of various radar and electronics gear are installed for repairs to the squadron's radar and electronics gear. A The V-3 Division Officer is Lt. JG. C. A. Patschlie with GUNNER Eli Pore as his aide. D. I. Wys0miCfSki, AOC, is in charge ofthe ordnance gang,-B. C. Wohlafka, ATC, in charge of.aviation electronics, and VS. Kolasin- ski, AEC, in charge of the aviation electricians. ' They are greatly aided by W. J. Downey, AO1, in ordnance, P. H. Grady, AT1, in electronics, and R. VV. Booth, AEM1, in the electrician's -group. Q i