Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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he Victor Division is the smallest division aboard the COLUMBUS. The division consists of two pilots and five crewmen for maintenance work on the helicopter. Our duty is only temporary aboard the COLUMBUS, being sent out from HU-2 Lakehurst, New Jersey. Upon completion of each cruise we are sent back for further assignment to other ships in the fleet. In charge of our division is LT R.G. Mellin who is also senior pilot. Our junior pilot is an enlisted man, V.R. Sampair, ADI-AP who is one of the few enlisted helicopter pilots, hfaving full responsibility for the maintenance on the helicopter is the plane captain ' s job. Our plane captain hH.V. Peterson who has a total of twenty-five months aboard the COLUMBUS with different helicopters and crew, also claims that she Is the best ship In the fleet. Under the plane captain ' s supervision are four crewmen consisting of three Aviation Machinists who are J.F. Holland, AD3, C.C. Schllilg, ADAN and C.E.F. Farek, ADAN, also one Aviation Electronlcsman J. P. Kovacs, AT2. Maintenance consists of repairing any minor trouble, to complete helicopter overhaul. Our duties aboard ship consist of delivering guard mail, plane guard for carriers, gun spotting, anti sub patrol, mine spotting, and last but not least personnel transfer. Our passengers vary from military personnel to royalty. The COLUMBUS, being one of the pioneers to prove the windmill ' s usefulness to the fleet, has done so. The windmills are here to stay and the sound of Flight Quarters Is now a major operation. So heads up and stand clear, the rotor blades have never lost a battle yet. OLRlGHT, f)LH QHT FORQOl