Lake Champlain (CV 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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FIRST TAKE OFF-PILOT - COMDR. HILL DECK' SPOT '