Hancock (CVA 19) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 19 text:

Far up on the Hancock ' s peak whirl the latticed steel antennae. These eyes and ears of the striking force remain ever vigilant: scanning the sky and the wide expanse of the sea for hundreds of miles — ever sweeping, ever searching — fragile frames that never seem to slow or slacken in their unceasing search. Down in Combat, men must interpret each signal as it returns, or the machines have no Junction. Over the many display consoles, men study intently the radar returns, each sweep presenting a new picture. A delay in identification could gain an enemy valuable time and distance toward his target. Is that a fishing boat — or an enemy submarine? Is that cloud coverage — or a flight of enemy bombers? Radar- men must not allow a single target to escape detection. From radar pips , radarmen are able to establish the bearing, distance and height of target contacts. Domineering the Combat Information Center are glowing status boards, graphic plans of action frozen for a moment, maintained up-to-the-minute with the many vital statistics which could not be retained in a man ' s memory. Skunks , Bogies , and Goblins become names of the electronic picture symbols. The state of our own Combat Air Patrol is plotted on still another array of transparent boards. Sur- rounded by this multitude of information and intelligence, the Air Controller constantly checks with the CAP, ready at minimum notice, to vector the forces into a mighty armed blow against an attacking enemy. iiilllili

Page 18 text:

1 V

Page 20 text:

I In- nerve oenten •! the ship ink and luk ami chatter. In Main Communications lapping teletype machines spew mess • ■ii uncoiling yellow paper. Operators monitor tin- ta|«- while radiomen, ear- | n- — «• ! Hai with headphones, rendei Moi se i ode into letter . I lamp tii rliythini) alK plaj on typewritei key- boards, changing sounds into words ami meaning.