Essex (CVS 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 208 text:

vf N VA-81's A4D's and personnel joined ESSEX for the first time in October 1961 as Detachment 45 and remained aboard for the entire deployment. ln doing so they gave the ship a unique status as the only CVAS in either fleet. If it was unusual for the ship it was a break from the normal routine for the pilots too, who are trained in light-attack tactics not for a fighter-inter- ceptor mission. During December the detachment got a different kind of break when it was off-loaded to operate temporarily from an R.A.F. base in England. Cold nights and hot toddy. The Navy hatches some strange combinations but of this one it can be said, we worked out and we worked out well. 0

Page 207 text:

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Page 209 text:

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