Naval Air Training - Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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HISTORY of the Naval Air Station, Memphis Naval Air Station is the housekeeping and support activity for the Headquarters of the Chief of Naval Air Technical Train- ing, the Naval Air Technical Training Center and the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit. lt provides housing and messing facilities for all these units, as well as operating a modern and well equipped airport. Providing facilities for the largest Naval Air Technical Train- ing Center in the world requires a tremendous amount of ma- terial and physical structures. For example, the Naval Air Station maintains approximately 1,500,000 square yards of asphalt surfaces, tstreets, roads. landing mars, runways, and parking areasl and about 350,000 square yards of concrete paving. There are nine miles of un- paved roads and four and one-half miles of railroad track on gre hstation. 30 miles of underground storm drain and open itc es. Two hundred and thirty furnished quarters are provided for officers and enlisted personnel and t eir families. A housing project of 540 unfurnished aipartments has been built on the station for the use of enlists personnel and their dependents. Equipment needed to operate an all-weather airport is available in abundance and the most modern of electronic aids to navigation are installed. COMMISSIONED IN 1942 Occupying a total of about 3100 acres, the Naval Air Station was commissioned in 1942, as one unit of the Naval Air Tech- nical Training Command, that turned out more than 360,000 aviation specialists during World War ll. In 1946 the station was selected, because of its central loca- tion, to become a permanent base. The initial phase of the permanent-building construction pro- gram is already partially completed. Already being used are a huge barracks-mess hall building for enlisted men on the south side of the station. Facilities there are complete for berthing and feeding 2800 men. Begun in August of 1951, the sprawling edifice contains the most modern berthing facilities. HISTORY of the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit The Memphis, Tennessee, Naval Air Reserve Training Unit, located aboard the Memphis, Tenn., Naval Air Station, is one of twenty-eight Naval Air Stations and Naval Air Reserve Train- ing Units located throughout the United States to provide up- to-date aviation training for the so called Weekend Warriors of the Naval Air Reserve Training program. The Memphis Naval Air Reserve Training Unit, commanded by Commander Roger D. Hutchins, USNR, and Commander William W. Soverel, USN, the Executive Officer, is under the direct control of the Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training, Rear Admiral Dan V. Gallery, USN. Originally designated the Memphis Naval Air Station in 1942 the command was re-designated to a Naval Air Reserve Training Unit in March 1949. The Naval Air Reserve Training Unit and its nine Naval and Marine Air Reserve Aviation Squadrons are part of a nation- wide program, comprising some 57,000 Naval and Marine pilots, ground officers and enlisted personnel, who devote one week- end of their spare time each month to military and aviation training. These 57,000 civilians, men and women from all walks of life, are organized into operating squadrons and trained in their spare time so that they will be ready to aid their country should the need ever arise. The job of providing support to these Weekend Warriors is the first mission of the NAS's and NARTU's throughout the' country and in doing this NARTU Memphis' full time comple- ment of approximately 210 officers and men provide the in- struction, the training schedules and various other types of training programs besides keeping in readiness approximately forty naval aircraft which includes the Sill. SNB, TBM, P4Y type aircraft and the latest additions the R5D transport and the F91-'-9 Cougar jet fighters, The officers and men who instruct the reservists in on-the-job-training programs are grad- galteslof the Naval Air Technical Training Center's Instructor c oo . Attached to the Memphis Naval Air Reserve Training Unit are eight Naval Air Reserve Aviation Squadrons and one Marine Air Reserve Fighting Squadron which include approxi- mately 200 officers and seven hundred enlisted personnel. Prac- tically all officers are veterans of World War ll and better than half of the enlisted personnel either served during World War ll or in the Far 'East during the recent Korean emergency. Most of the men learned their skills by putting long months in aviation technical schools while on active duty. They work along side the new recruits, teaching them the tricks of the various rates, For many of them it's a chance to learn a trade that will mean quicker advancement in their civilian occupa- tions. Also by obtaining a rate in the Naval Air,Reserve, re- called reservists will not have to begin at the bottom and work up An example that the weekend training of Naval Air Reserv- ists payis off was seen in Iuly 1950, iust one month after the outbrea of the Korean fighting, NARTU Memphis ordered Naval Air Reserve Fighting Squadron 791 to active duty. With- in seven days LCDR Iames B. Kisner, CO of VF-791, had his squadron standing by for further orders, Orders were received and they were off to the Commander, Air Force Pacific Fleet. After a short period of transitional training the squadron was proving its worth against the Communist forces in Korea flying from the famed aircraft carrier, the USS BOXER. LCDR Kisner's squadron of Mid:5outb Reba Hey combat fgrgsevengnonths. ln February 1951 another NARTU Memphis Naval Air Reserve Squadron was recalled. Within a month CV FasRon 795 was on duty and had reported to the Commander, Air Force Atlantic Fleet, This squadron, without any further training, was ordered to Bermuda. Besides the recall of these squadrons various other squadron personnel, both officer and enlisted, received individual recall orders. The roster of Naval and Marine Air Reserve Aviation Squad- rons based at the Memphis Unit are as follows: Air Wing Staff 797 Transport Squadron 7915 Fighting Squadrons 791 and 7921 Patrol Squadron 7915 Anti-Submarine Squadrons 791 and 792: niet Air Service Squadron 791 and Marine Fighting Squadron Membership in the Naval and Marine Air Reserve is open to veterans of World War ll and the Korean emergency and to selected non-veterans. Members of the squadrons participate in aviation training on one weekend each month in their spare time and are paid according to their rating. The Naval Air Reserve Aviation Squadrons are very similar to regular Naval aviation squadrons in their composition, train- ing and operations. The one unique feature of these squadrons is the fact that every member-from the Commanding Officer down to the lowest rated airman, is a civilian for 28 days of each month, and is in the Navy for only two days. Highlight of the Naval Air Reservists annual participation in this program is the two weeks of full time active dut each year, when he puts aside his civilian occupation, and dlevotes 14 days to intensive training with his squadron. Depending upon the type of squadron and availability of facilities, the squadron goes aboard an aircraft carrier, flies to a Gulf or Coastal Naval Air Station, visits a foreign port or remains at Memphis for the 14 days. During this period the reservist puts into practice during operations the things he has learned dur- ing his weekend training periods. During the weekend training periods, the squadrons act as self-supporting units in maintaining and operating the aircraft assigned to them. The pilots practice gunnery, bombing, instru- ment flying, tactics, and other essentials of a Naval aviator. The enlisted ground and aircrewmen maintain the planes in operating condition while learning the latest developments in r Naval aviation and at the same time advancing in their mili- f tary ratings. HISTORY of the Naval Hospital HISTORY of the Naval Hospital The Naval Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., commissioned March 17. 1943, provides medical care and hospitalization for active duty military personnel, retired personnel, members of the fleet reserve and dependent persons residing in this area. Unlike the other Navy activities in the Memphis area, the naval hospital is a separate command under the military command of the Commandant, SIXTH Naval District and the management con- trol of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The hospital's primary mission is the treatment and care of sick and injured naval personnel with the object of their restoration to duty. The disposition of those patients who require special treat- ment not satisfactorily available or who are unfit for retention in the naval service and the treatment and care of other persons when authorized by competent authority. A secondary mission instructs medical department personnel in their duties and conducts where feasible and so authorized, re- search in medicine and its allied specialties. The hospital also cooperates with military and civilian authorities in all matters pertaining to health and sanitation and in the event of local disasters or emergencies. At ground breaking ceremonies held at the Naval Air Station. Memphis, Tennessee. Thursday, 9 August 1951. Rear Admiral W. D. Iohnson, Chief of Naval Air Technical Training, turns the first spadeful of dirt. symbolic of the transition of the Memphis Naval Air Station from a temporary to a permanently built installation. while other dignitaries look on, 1 lu is A -'fwfl

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ii. History oi the CHIEF 0E NAVAL AIR TECHNICAL TRAINING The Headquarters of the Naval Air Technical 5' Training Command was established in Chicago, Ill., in September 1942, The first Chief of Naval Air Technical Training was Rear Adm. Albert C. Read of NC-4 fame, the first aviator to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. The Command was set up in Chicago because that city afforded an excellent headquarters loca- tion for administration, being centrally located with respect to the widely scattered Training Schools. cmd being the hub of G remarkably efficient mms- Rear Admiral Switzer and Inspection Party arrive on the . Parade Grounds Portation system. In September 1945 the Naval Air Technical Training Command Headquarters were moved to Pensacola, Fla., where they remained until transferred to Memphis, Tenn., a year later. - . The first step in the transfer of Command Headquarters to Memphis was begun in Iuly 1946 but the complete move was not ac- Complished until September, some three months later. l l , I Rear Adm. Wendell G. Switzer is the present Chief of Naval Air Technical Training, and his Staff is located in the Southside Ad- ministration Building aboard the Naval Air Station, Memphis. . To assist the Chief in performing his mission, a staff of 106 enlisted men and 32 officers is provided to advise him on specialized matters within the Command. l l - The Staff directs an integrated structure of aviation technical training that extends from coast to coast with headquarters here in Memphis. The Chief of Naval Air Technical Training is also the Senior Officer present in the Memphis area. As such he is responsible for disaster plans, emergency relief, shore patrol and joint activities. Directly under the CNATechTra are five Naval Air Technical Training Units located at NAS, Pensacola, Fla.: NAS, Olathe, Kan.: NAS, Lakehurst, N. I., NAAS, El Centro, Calif.: and the Naval Air Material Center, Philadelphia, Penna. The U. S. Naval CIC Officers School, NAS, Glenview, lll.g Naval Air Technical Training Centers, Memphis, Iacksonville, Fla., and Norman, Okla., are also under his supervision. The Naval Air Station, Glynco, Brunswick, Ga., completes the subordinate activities of the Chief of Naval Air Technical Training, whose headquarters are at Navy Memphis. g 0 3 History oi the A NAVALAIR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER The Naval Air Technical Training Center may be thought of as a Naval University. Commanded by Captain' G. R. Luker, USN, who is assisted by Com- mander Fl. G. Touart, USN, Executive Officer, the Purpose of this multi-million dollar business is the training of aviation technicians for the Fleet Air Arm of the Navy, The Center is comprised of six separate, but closely-knit, departments: Military Personnel, Ad- ministration, Legal, Marine Aviation Detachment, I Training, and the Naval Air Mobile Training Detachment. M9599 ClC8Sr00ms of NATTC The Military Personnel Department is sub-divided into an enlisted personnel office, officer personnel office, education office and receipt and transfer barracks. From the moment an officer or enlisted man checks on board until he checks out, personnel keeps tab on him and assists him in many ways. D Material, Discipline, Barracks and Billeting, Central Office, and the Center's Yard Mail system are directed by the Administrative epartment. The Legal Department processes courts-martial and conducts a legal assistance program for Center personnel To the Training Department falls the task of supervising all of the Center's schools, with the exception of the Naval Air Mobile Training Detachment. The Director of Training, Commander I, I. Worner, USN, is assisted by a Superintendent of Electronics Trainin a Sikperintendent of Maintenance Trainikng, and ahTrcgning Facgities laepartment. g' eeping pace with the ur ency of t e times, t e enter's sc oo s ave varied in number and i ' Present the Training Departmgnt has one instructor school, two officer schools, and four enlisted schobfse during the past 12 years' Al . In-Service training is a special service offered to the technical schools of the Center. Representatives of the Instructor Trainin un't visit the schools and observe the instructors' class procedures..Special conferences on selected subjects are scheduled periodicallg with QYOUTQS oginstructors when the need arise? A f M OH S h Y e enter's two officer schools are t e ircrat aintenance icers c ool and the Aviation E ec ' ' Paremcafficxers to satisfactorily fill specialized aviation billets. M h 1 homes Cmcers School' Both pre' I e viation Electronics Technician School, the Aviation ac inist's Mate School, the Av' ' ' Trairiingh Dievlices Man School are presently the,-Xonglyg enlisted sclsools on board, lemon Structural Mechanic School' and the ac o t e our schools is divided into an asic training school and a B fadvance r ' ' offer specialized C courses in Iet Engine Special Maintenance, Operational Flight Trainers, dl-Ilelibryplgl' sl?1fhclllr?1lerhI:1nCcced1ll-?SclllTyHau dl'GLElics, and Alerological Electronics Equipment Maintenlance. ' rc Y' ' IS t e tas o the Naval Air Mobile Training Detac ment to take the trainin to the man. ' ' ' - - units, each one of which is a small technical school, complete with training aids, training coursesT2llsd1irl?fstTclfgfsSl:1dMlillfelerloblliitrmnfr travel bylvan, Trip, and plane from activity to activity als needed, ' S' e un ls , ava insta ations all over the world depend upon t e Detac ment's travelin trainers ' ' - - - in the latest equipment, practices, procedures, and methods concerned with aircrdlt maintenhondjdobliijrdflldfilalnTlisolfgnfl with mslruchon and munitions equipment, and aircraft crash fire fighting. ' g mmmg' ordnance

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M illi , 1 5, .e J, . I . X A 1 . ax.- if .. ff , , vu. ' ' A 't 'sf V' , 1 :A Members ot an aviation ordinance r 1 writing team in action. Checking the Data Board in the Stait Personnel OlliCe. Cmdr. H. L. Turner, Elec lronics School Olticer. talks with T. I. Clary YN-l, YNIC. Personnel Officers and Clerks s reports. , Ll- 'Cmdr. Davis, Education Officer. and YN Egan look at transparencies in the ,mlm-... V-' Awiotniza Ia 41 tk. I CHIEF, NAVAL AIR f Ecu IC LTR INING? CE TER - ' Mrs. Virginia Gracey, Secretary, takes notes while Iohn C. Howard, Education Consultant. and W. W. Rogers. Ir.. Pub- lication 6. Printing Assistant Coordi- nator discuss training methods chart. Going over problems in the Statistics Office. Central Training Oi- tice. W Lt. Berry, Assistant J Legal Officer, gets a 5 read-back on a court report from Court Re- porter May Scott, ,-if NAIECHTRACOM L. OMFUQITE Cmdr. I. W. Roberts, Stall Personnel Oiticer. and Lt. Cmdr. R. G. Blalock. Personnel Requirements Officer, go over a composite chart.