Randolph (CVS 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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rv- .. ' -1 -1' --21' -.---: --.r--- -- 'N H ,I Y .. Operations The Operations Department on CVS-I5 hasthe responsibility of coordinating the functions of all Departments in promotion of the smooth accom- plishment of the carrier,s over-all mission. Op- erations recognizes the necessity of devoting as much time to air operations as surface opera- tions, while at the same time appreciating the coordination necessary between both in the execu- tion of anti-submarine warfare. Cooperating with the Gunnery and Navigation Departments, as well as coordinating air defense, search and rescue, and other specialty maneuvers Qin addition to the usual air, surface and com- bined ASW operations Q, this Department plays a great many roles. Because so much of their work is behind the scenes, its men are sometimes regarded as uunsung heroes. The ratio of aviators and black shoe officers on a typical carrier is about even, thus, with the flight experience of the pilots providing a neces- sary understanding of the duties and problems of those flying the squadrons aboard, particular- ly close coordination is achieved. Combat Information Center QCICQ, or 'cThe Black Museum as the dimly-lit room is fondly called, is literally the nerve center of the ship whenever separate air, surface, or combined ASW operations are underway. All contacts - friendly, enemy or unknown - air, surface or sub-surface- are plotted and evaluated here, with the analysis quickly disseminated to the Commanding Officer, Task Group Commander, and other key officers at vital stations through- out the ship. Aboard the ALFA flagship, Randodbhiv CIC must assume complete supervi- sion of the entire anti-submarine operation, utiliz- ing information from radar, sonar, radio and electronic countermeasures equipment QECM gearj, as well as information gleaned from look- out reports and intelligence sources. When this complex of data is evaluated into a meaningful picture of the tactical situation, maneuvering andf or attack recommendations are forwarded to the bridge, Flag plot and other stations. An ASW carrieris CIC must also keep accompany- 94 - Lawn ., . .Q-...,gu1:,.g-.--.,.. - - ' ' D ep artment ing ships as well as its own apprised. In the realm of the Air Operations Officer Can assistant to the Operations Officerj, are the re- sponsibilities for controlling aircraft - vectoring them toward a target or talking a pilot in on a CCA Ccarrier-controlled approachj in bad flying weather. Keeping track of all airborne planes, coordinating beach-ship flights, transfer- ring personnel and men by helicopter, and sched- uling are additional duties of Air Operations personnel. The shipis Air Intelligence specialists must brief Air Intelligence officers of the embarked squadrons, train personnel in recognizing air- craft and learning their capabilities, and be aware of the latest tactical procedures likely to be included in any situation. Meteorology is virtually a separate depart- ment within Operations, performing vital func- tions aboard CVS-15. Assigned the duties of collecting weather data and making local and regional forecasts, their mission is important not only to the Air Group embarked but also the ship's over-all operations, the men with 'these responsibilities must maintain technical gear for predicting sonar and bathymetric conditions as well as weather, and be highly knowledge- able of complicated weather components and phenomena. The Operations Department operates and main- tains a vast assortment of electronic gear, all of which requires specialists to carry on an inten- sive program of preventive maintenance. Air, surface and marshalling, radars, ECM gear, communications radio equipment and certain navigational gear are all maintained by this Department's electronic technicians, who must be on call at any hour to return a piece of inop- erative gear to an 'fupn status. Randofbh was the first flattop to have sonar installed, with the long range active-passive ANXSQS-23 being placed aboard in 1961. An important help in ASW operations with or with- out her screening ships, this gear is also under the cognizance of the Operations Department.

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