Chandeleur (AV 10) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 40 text:

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O DIVISION To centralize all of the operational functions of the CHANDELEUR an Operations Department was formed by Captain TRACY in February 1945. This department was formed primarily to handle all phases of air opera- tions in which the CHANDELEUR and her sister tenders were to play an important role in the reduction and final elimination of Japan ' s empire. The O Division was established at this time and all personnel of the Operations Department was assigned to the Division. Among the different rates which were fused to make up the O Division were Aerographers, Photographers, and Radarmen. The Operations Department handles all phases of air operations assigned to the CHANDELEUR and is responsible for the activities of the Combat Information Center. Among the many other tasks assigned Operations in the past were: the preparation of weather forecasts and terminal condi- tions covering all the different search sectors assigned our planes and the planes of sister tenders; taking and processing of photographs of search missions and the operation of the radar equipment. Acting as Seadrome Control during the first four months of the OKINAWA campaign was the largest and most responsible task under- taken in our many months in the Pacific. The reward — To All Hands — Well Done.

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R DIVISION The R Division, or to be more exact the Construction and Repair Department, is under the supervision of the First Lieutenant. The duties of the Division are many and varied, absorbed in most cases by three differ- ent sections. First we have the Carpenter Shop. The few men that work here must, of necessity, be experts because their jobs include everything from the re- pair and maintenance of the small boats ' hulls to the installation of wooden cabinets and shelves in the various offices throughout the ship. If an airplane spare assembly is found to be faulty and must be returned to the States for replacement, it is the Carpenter Shop that supplies the crate. If a navigator ' s table is needed in one of the planes, again it is the gang in the Carpenter Shop that turns out the needed article. The next section of R Division is the Shipfitter ' s Shop. If a metal worker, a plumber or a welder is needed a call goes out to the shipfitters. These are the men who see to it that the ship is supplied with fresh water from the time it leaves the evaporators until it leaves the tap ready to be used. They also have charge of the salt water fire and flushing system. To realize the scope of their duties all one has to do is look at the maze of water, steam and oil lines that are stretched from one end of the ship to the other. A third section, is the Sail Locker. Omar, the Tent Maker, may have had a more imposing place of business but we doubt if he was called upon to produce such a variety of articles; the awning that protects the movie operator from the tropical down-pours, boat puddings (bumpers to the lay- man), laundry bags and shower curtains. In short the Sail Locker is called upon any time there is a need for articles of canvas. One other aspect of the R Division that cannot be overlooked is the fact that, during General Quarters and in combat, the men of R Division man a station known as Damage Control and to them falls the task of con- trolling and repairing any damage inflicted. To their quick action and ability a ship owes its life.