Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 148 text:

CDR G. E. Air Boss HALL LCDR S. G. CUNDARI Asst. Air Boss ABHCS(AW) R. C. ALIGNAY AirLCPO AIR DEPARTMENT The mission of the USS ESSEX Air Department is to conduct aircraft handling, launch and recovery operations, including control of airborne VFR traffic within the ship ' s Control Zone. Additionally, the Air Department provides the necessary services and facilities required for the maintenance and fueling of aircraft so the embarked squadrons and detachments can effectively conduct air operations in the full application of their military potential. Of equal importance is the damage control role of aircraft crash and salvage on the flight deck and aircraft firefighting on the hangar deck. The Essex Air Department received the coveted Allen G. Ogden Award for the best Crash and Salvage Team in the fleet.

Page 150 text:

The Flight Deck Crew LT FALEHARDY CW03 JHMIRELES ABHC J R GABA ABHl RL JOHNSON ABHl RE MCLEOD ABHl FTARDUGNO ABH2 D MARTINEZ ABH2 RS SANCHEZ ABH3 LB BARBER ABH3 BLANKENSHIP ABH3 J L BURKE ABH3 CG GARCIA ABH3 PEGRISHAM ABH3 HOGANCAMP ABH3 LLKUNZE