Lake Champlain (CV 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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OUR AIRCRAFT OVER NEW YORK R a We, the plank owners of the Air Department, will never forget the Great Lake. Many of 'us had never had sea duty, and many of those that did, had never gone through a shakedown cruise, but we of the Air Department knew what our assignment was and we did it well. Our records show that we made the most efficient shakedown ever made at that time, breaking many records, and setting a goal for future ships to aim at. v i V Upon commissioning of the U.S.S. LAKE Cl-IAMPLAIN the Air Department was organized into six groups, namely V-1, Flight Division which consisted of arresting gear and catapult men, plane handling crews, whose job was to spot the deck and prepare the machinery for catapulting before the ship was ready to launch the planes 'on their assigned mission, V-2, Maintenance Division, whose job was to keep the planes repaired and in flying condition, V-3, Combat Information Divi- sion, whose job was to keep communication with the planes while in flight and keep up to date, information on the position of the enemy, V-4, Ordnance Division, whose job it was to arm the planes with bombs, rockets, and other ammunition, along with the fueling 'of the aircraft,

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However, V-J Day found the ship in the Naval Shipyard at Norfolk receiving final material adjustments and stores prior to our schedulgi departure for the Pacific. Under the circumstances, a letdown in your ship spirit might have been expected. Frankly, I feared that the advent of peace might result in an increase in minor disciplinary infractions. Instead, I am proud and happy to say that, even today, ninety-five percent of you have clear conduct records. Nor has any one been able to detect any decrease in your devotion to duty, despite your natural desire to rejoin your families and return to civilian life. Following our shakedown, your courtesy to our quarter million civilian visitors last' September won many friends for U.S.S. Lake Champlain and the United States Navy. Then, when we were assigned to the Magic Carpet, twenty thousand Army men were brought home. On one of these trips, Lake Champlain broke all speed records for an ocean crossing and now holds the Blue Ribbon of the Atlantic. Despite the discomfort and overcrowding, this crew willingly worked many extra hours to ensure the comfort and well being of our Army guests. Although we were scheduled to proceed to the West Coast, the Magic Carpet was destined to be our last task in the active fleet. We are now engaged in the sad task of laying up and preserving this home of ours. Although her service has been moderate, she is just one year old, and is in perfect material condition, economy has dictated the inactiva- tion of the ship. While we cannot but deplore this necessity, we can be glad that the prospects of a lasting and world wide peace are sufficiently rosy to justify this placing of Lake Champlain in a state of suspended animation. V A year ago, during the commissioning' ceremony I stated that, as your commanding officer, I faced the future with pride in this 'mag- nificent ship of ours and confidence in you-its crew. Time has proven that pride and confidence fully justified, for both ship and crew have accomplished efficiently every task assigned them. And if U.S.S. Lake Champlain is ever needed for the combat she never met during this war, I could ask for no higher privilege than to be reassigned as her captain and to be shipmates with you again. Good bye, good luck, and may God bless you. LooAN RAMSEY, Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding.

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V-5, Administration Division, whose task was to compile and distribute all data pertaining to the Air Department, along with manning their Flight Quarter Stations, V-6, who were the men that flew the planes, including the Combat Air Crewmen. The Air Department as a whole consisted of approximately 1150 men, commonly known to all other departments as the HAiredales . Along with us were more than one hun- dred planes attached to the ship, which was the work and pride of the uAiredales . ' We did our best to set a record as we set out to prove that we were an efficient aircraft carrier, ready to defend our United States. One of the records taken by us which will especially stand out is the number of landings made by our planes through the co-operation and work of the crew, 3173 landings. Another record was fewer accidents than most ships were having on shakedown cruises. When Flight Quarters were sounded, all hands reported quietly and quickly to their respective stations, which had to be manned efficiently. The various colored uniforms were worn to distinguish one group from another. This was very important, due to the limited amount of space and the deafening sound of airplane engines turning over. The use of these colored uniforms proved to be very effective in contacting men for emergencies and tasks that had to be dealt with promptness and efliciency. In conclusion, we can say, that whether they flew the planes, or sat behind desks, they did their respective tasks so well, that the Great Lake can proudly say it had one of the best crews ever 'assembled on any aircraft carrier. In this final issue of the 4cGreat Lake , may we say that we were honored to have been able to serve aboard a ship with a name as great as the one we are now leaving. Editors' Noteak Air Department Operational Summary: Between June 23, 1945 and October 5 of the same year, when the air group landed for the last time, the following were made: Deck take-offs .................................... 1977 Catapultings ..... ..... 1 178 Landings ........ ..... 3 173 Hours, flown ..... ..... 7 016