Leyte (CVA 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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Upper Left: Shooting the Rock are ace photographers Webster, Staton and Kinley of the Leyte Photographic Laboratory. The cam- era is fitted with a tele-photo lens which will bring Gibraltar up close for a detailed study. This camera is generally used for aerial photography. Center: Mingles adjusts the lens of his enlarger so that the picture of the Panther jet will be sharp in detail. The Photo Lab is well supplied with all necessary equipment for doing professional quality work. The laboratory is under the supervision of Ensign G. T. Cha man. Uppler Right: john Walters, AGC, USN, is right-hand man to LCDR H. H. Taylor, the ship's Aerological Officer. Chief Walters is seen making up one of the four daily weather maps. These maps utilize weather information compiled by aerographers mates of the department. i Lower Left: A Weather Balloon is released by G. S. Conley as Ellis stands by to make notes of information. This data is used in mak- ing up a weather map each six hours. The area covered by this map extends over nearly one-half of the western hemisphere. Center: LCDR T. Elefter, Air Intelligence Officer, is charged with the custody and dissemination of tactical air information to the Air Group and the entire ship. He also serves as Ship's Historian, preparing a report twice yearly covering all activities of the ship. Lower Right: Molson examines negative which will be' used for Cruise Book picture. Care must be taken to see that the film is developed properly. The Photo Lab accomplished a record job by supplying the Mediterranean Cruise Book with more than three thousand pictures. A SUBDIVISION of the O-I Division is the Aerology Department. Weather and its direct effects on flying and flyers is a subject of paramount importance aboard a carrier. This group of weather specialists must prepare weather information each day, forecasting and advising top staff members of its anticipated effects on scheduled maneuvers. Completing the organization of the O-I Division is the Photographic Department. Composed of a Photographic Officer and many trained photographers, this department is responsible for furnishing photographic services of either a technical or special nature. This department works closely with the Public Information Office in circulating unusual or newsworthy events to the public.

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Upper Left: Fowler maintains the air status board in the Air Plot Room. This board provides a handy check on all planes that are in the air. In addition, it contains other pertinent facts such as the number of the plane and the name of the pilot. Fowler gets information from Flight Deck Control. I Center: Lt. T. Goodwin, CIC Watcli Officer, is seated at the main communications console. Before him are panels indicating the movements and positions of each aircraft and surface craft within the ship's range. As Watch Officer he must coordinate and utilize all information received. Upper Right: Lt. Bouldin keeps traffic pattern in line and gives landing instructions to planes. This is another function of Air Plot Room. , Below: Bordner maintains watch at sky-forward. All look-outs receive special instruction through departments training program. Lower Left: Savage plots on vertical plot in CIC. This board serves as an up-to-the-minute check on all activities of the division. After courses, air speeds, and other pertinent data are computed they are placed on vertical plot to aid the Watch Officer in his duties. Center: Radar has demonstrated its incomparable value in many ways. It is the main-stay of CIC. Ross and Shanahan are two of the many men who must maintain a twenty-four hour watch on CIC radar scope. There are eight other watch stations which must be continuously manned. Lower Right: Kaczmarek, Lovely and Peterson are busy at work on the DRT QDead Reckoning Tracery. Here, courses are com- puted and relayed to the 0.0.D. CIC keeps a complete record of each computation made and it is logged into a book with exact t11'1'1C. TO AID in the performance of the many and varied func- Assisting the Air Operations Officer is the CIC Officer. tions of the department, the Operations Officer has His Specific duties include: Q15 The maintenance of several assistants. One of these, the Air Operations Ofhcer, heads a division known as the O-I or Opera- tions Intelligence Division. The O-I Division consists of a Combat Information electronic equipment used in procuring combat and operational information. C2j The distribution of all information acquired by means of assigned radar and Center, an Ann plot Room, an An- Intelligence unit, 3 1 associated equipment. The control of all aircraft and photographic laboratory, and the aerological laboratory. their assigned missions. 33 4

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Of, Div s oN First Row: R. C. Holleyg ENS. C. E. Diersg ENS. L DcVictoriag LCDR. C. S. Bakerg LTJG R. W. Watkins ENS. B. A. Leeg C. F. Caesarg R. L. Inzer. Second Row: B. MI. Johnsong D. B. Mollohang K. YV Ebcrhartg T. M. Hendleyg P. M. Longneckerg A Whaleng D. McGi1vz1ryg H. M. Coleman. Third Row: D. L. Toornbsg R. H. Petersong D. E Prangeg D. M. Pettitg T. Robertsg F. M. Mosenthine C. Gillilang R. Yetrnan. Fourth Row: R. E. Daileyg C. T. Kruegerg P. G. Mil lcr: E. VV. Yockersg T. McDonoughg S. D. Foresti.