Saipan (CVL 48) - Naval Cruise Book

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fguafhen Uffzms ,-3 Offagwu 'QW First row, L. to R. LTJG. J. M. DUNCAN, VF-42, LTJG. J. W. HINKLEMAN, JR., VF-42., LT. S. W. HERMAN, VF- 42., LT. B. L. TRAGER, VC-12., LT. J. F. BUTLER, VF-42., LCDR. R. B. SPENCER, VF-42., CAPT R. W. D. WOODS, COMM. OFF., LCDR. J. L. STOWE, VF-42., LT. W. E. BEHRINGER, VC--I.. LT W. F. BLAND, VC-33., LTJG. R. T. JANIEC, VC-83., LTJG. R. A. HILL, VC-33., LTJG. R. A. BAL- KEY, VC-12., LT. E. F. ARNOLD, VC-4. Second row, L. to R. LTJG. R. K. MCDANNOLD, VFT42., LTJG. F. L. -AMES, VF-42., LTJG. T. W. MULLEN. VF-42. LTJC-. S. M. HAYES, VF-42., LTJG. L. W. DOYLE, VC-12., ENS. J. W. JONES. VC-4.. LTJG. S STRINEKA, VC-12., LTJG. W. M. HEPBURN, VF-42., ENS. P. R. RUPPERT, JR., YC-4.. LTJG J. J. KIRBY, VF-42., LTJG. J. Z. PLINE, VF-42., LTJG. S. H. LUCAN, VF-42., ENS. E. C. ENG- LISH, VF-42., LT. F. W. BLAKE, VC-12. Third row, L. to R. ENS. J. J. WODJENSKI, VF-42., ENS. D. W. EBLING, VF-42., ENS. G. D. BRISCOE, YF--12.. ENS C. J. KETCHMARK, VF-42., ENS. G. A. WEEKS, VF-42., ENS. C. J. MCCRANOR, YF-42.. LTJG L. C. MILLS, VF-42., LTJG. L. R. WILLS, JR., VF-42., ENS. B. KELSEY. YC-33., ENS. D. R HUBBS, VF-42., ENS. D. G. RASKOB, VC-33., ENS. R. KRIZNER, YC-IZ.. ENSSJ. H. NORRIS VC-4., ENS. A. O. VOICT, VC-33.

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,WI-.2 First row, L. to R. B. Hurley, L. BI Dolan. Second row, L. to R. M. T. Zonsa, Lt. W. D. Wendell V , LTJG. H. G. Nulton, L. P. Mazza. THE AIR GROUP The sole reason for an aircraft carrier's existence is to provide a mobile airfield and mainten- ance facilities for the air group embarked, the striking force of a carrier. The squadrons which make up the air group are composed of the types of planes necessary for the mission assigned the carrier. In addition to pilots and air crewmen, the air group also furnishes maintenance personnel to keep the planes available for flight. For the Med Cruise, the air group embarked aboard the Saipan consisted of Fighter Squad- ron 42, plus detachments of Composite Squadron 4, Composite Squadron 12, Composite Squadron 33, and Helicopter Squadron 2. Fighter Squadron 42 was made up of eighteen F4U-4's, the renowned Corsair fighter. As a fighter squadron, their mission was to participate in strikes against enemy forces and to pro- tect the ship from any attack. For armament, they carried machine guns, rockets, and bombs. The four-plane detachment of Composite Squadron 4 was a night fighting unit. They flew the F4U-5N, a Corsair specially modified for night flying. Its airborne electronic equipment enables it to seek out targets at night. They were responsible for night flights which could not be handled by the day fighters. Composite Squadron 12 consisted of four AD-3W's, a special modification of the Douglas Sky- raider, acting as an airborne early warning detachment, responsible for scouting out and reporting the location of enemy forces to the ship's Combat Information Center. Their radar equipment enables them to detect ships and aircraft long before they are within range of a ship's radar system. Composite Squadron 33 flew two different types of planes, four AD-3N's and two AD-4Q's, both types modifications of the versatile Skyraider. The AD-3N's were night attack planes and for this purpose were equipped with the latest in airborne electronics. The AD-4Q's were used as tow taret planes for anti-aircraft defense drills. Helicopter Squadron Two was represented by a HO3S-1 Sikorsky helicopter which was used as a plane guard during landings and take-offs. Fortunately, the HO3S-1 services were never required. but it was reassuring to all, and especially to the pilots and flight crews. to know that the windmill was standing by to rescue any downed individuals. The helicopter was of inestimable value in many other ways ---- speedy transfer of personnel, often when boating was not practicable, the pick- up and delivery of mail and general utility.

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Wy .gymm First row, L. to R. D. W. Bagg, D. F. Elliott, N. Mangouran, D. J. Curtin, P. J. Connolly, R. P. Ruth, B. C. Stewart, L. J. Feinen, R. R. Lillie, D. C. Scanlon, S. A. Martin, L. C. Grant, J. E. Marden, D. C. Sharrard, L. W Berkel, W. F. Heinshon, W. F. Argabright, D. E. Tuttle, J. J. Seider, C. G. Middleton, R. F. John- SOI1. Second row, L. to R. D. J. Dennehy, C. O. Bissel, T. C. Craighead, C. E., Tillery, J. C. Slay, A. R. Yewell, J. D. Hughes, J T. Knapp, W. C. Zarembe, F. Hoole, W. F. Petsch, E. C. Nord, Ens. D. R. Hubbs, LTJG. J. W. Hinklel man, Jr., R. T. Swinney, E. J. Hooker, H. S. Sutliff, S. R. Saksa, G. R. Stoker, W. J. Pollock, A. J Ferranti, T. R. Carter, A. C. Bowman, R. E. MacGregor, K. M. Dingmen, G. A. Sakey, K. E. Balt- haser. Third row, L. to R. I W. C. Handback, J. M. Depant, F. P. Lombardi, G. A. Scott, T. G. Frase, A. S. Teixeira, R. H. Blatt S. W. Bell, W. F. Williams, E. R. Langston, R. Coleman, T. C. Lawyer, C. J. Mellott, M. H. Toner K. L. Tilly, F. P. Blair, E. L. Howe, R. A. Stockwell, E. C. Padgett, Q. M. Redden, R. W. Bolton, W P. Gerth, H. D. Edgar, L. C. Willey, R. H. Anderson, J. W. Wierema, R. D. Hastings. Third row, L. to R. J. B. Dinton, J. N. Siko, K. B. McArthur, R. G. Frame, M. A. Hudson, R. A. Neston, C. Keitch, E. T Rouse, H. E. Baker, C. A. Briggs, J. W. Taylor, T. W. Bugalski, F. C. Toth, T. Williams, J. H. Dor- sey, J. R. O'Connell, H. H. Mansel, J. W. Sarako, E. H. Hering, W. E. Craft, A. V. Barber, C. Hop- kins, J. F. King, G. H. Dworak, M. E. Blankenship, W. J. Grant, C. S. Aaron.