Wasp (CVS 18) - Naval Cruise Book

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o,.c., if n Q mf' I ...Nm I T t E-'Q turned back prior to reaching the Force. Later, the Keppler launched a successful attack against an Orange submarine. At 09532 a Soviet Kotlin Class DD entered the TF 402.1 screen, passing Wasp at about 500 yards on the starboard side. When abeam, it rendered honors, which were returned. It remained close with the force for about one hour befgi-e taking departure. As dusk fell, flight operations were again suspended due to descending fog, and pilots were again on alert in their ready rooms. 25 - 26 September Two successful attacks were made against Orange subma- rines. The firsts by Gearing and the second in a coordinated attack conducted by Yarmouth, Keppler and aircraft. Although the results were indecisive, Warrington and lngraham tena- ciously held contact for the better part of the day with another enemy submarine. Air strikes were attempted by Orange forces today but were successfully repelled by the force with eight kills going to the C. F. Adams, two to Keppler and two to Wasp. 26 - 27 September A contact being investigated by Warrington, Ingraham, and a VS aircraft surfaced at about l900Z and proved to be a Soviet submarine. The visitor remained on the surface most of the night, returning to his underwater domain in the morn- ing. This was fitting culmination to a day filled with destroyer activity in which they aptly demonstrated their ability in ASW. Flights, commonly yet fondly referred to as holy helas , were flown by the helicopters of HS-ll, transferring Wasp chaplains for divine services. 27 H 28 September This morning TF 402 was replenished. Seas were running as high as T5 - T8 feet with low visibility and light rain. It was literally men against the seas as personnelof USS Arctur' us transferred fresh, frozen and dry stores to Wasp, Orange submarine activity was confined to one attack on the under' way replenishment group this morning. There was no con- firmed Orange air activity, nor was there any Soviet activity. 28 - 29 September At about l500Z the Force passed within sightof Ireland. Groups of men congregated at vantage points to View the coastline of this historic island. Morning brought a welcome change in the weather as the Force experienced calm sea! Gnd sunny skies for the first time in over a week. 29 - 30 September TF A02 continued its southerly transit. Excitementcame 05 a British Maritime Patrol aircraft sighted a surfaced 50Vl9l SUlDmOfine. Wasp-based aircraft proceeded to the scene and ?llO!9Ql'UDl't .:d the submarine which remained surfaced throughout the afternoon, escorted by one Canadian DD Gnd one UK DD. 30 September - 2 October The final two days of Team Work found Wasp and TF 402 Sfili Otfive, pursuing her undersea foe, just as ready GS twelve GUYS Previous upon exercise commencement. The exercise ended with a feeling of happy success and pride in 0 if-tb 'tif Weil done. Next was to come liberty.