Siboney (CVE 112) - Naval Cruise Book

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VS-31 SUUHDHUH Air .-Knti-Sulnnarine Squadron 31 was originally commissioned as Composite Squadron 31 KVC-311 at Atlantic City in 1948 with Commander .l. C. Arbes as Commanding Officer. The squadron at that time was using TBM-3S's and TBM-3W's. ln .lnly 1950, the mission of VC-31 was changed to Anti-Submarine Warfare. and the squadron was redesignated VS-31. In September 1950, Com- mander Arbes was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander W. L. Curtis. VS-31 participated in Convex 1. L.-XNTFLEX. using TBiNf's. 1n April 1951, VS-31 received the new Grumman Guardian and embarked aboard the USS. WRIGHTQCVL--191 for a qualification cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in September. On February- 1. 1952 Commander R. E. Nfoore relieved Commander W. L. Curtis as Commanding Officer. The squadron was then conducting training in preparation for Convex 111. During Convex 111. the squadron was divided into two detachments. one aboard the USS S-UP-XNlCVL 481 d h h V . . . - an t e ot er aboard the USS. WRIGHTKCNL--191. Upon completion of Convex 111 the d . . . . squa ron was again in training at Quonset Point. Rhode Island, On April 19. 1952 the squadron departed aboard the USS. PALAUlCVE- 1221 for the Mediterranean. While in the Mediterranean. the squadron partici- pated in Operation Beehive II. The squadron returned from the Mediterran- ean on June 27, 1952. In July 1952, VS-31 received the Battle Efficiency Pennant, Navy UE from ComAirLant. Upon return from the Mediterranean the squadron conducted ASW training at N,A,S, Quonset Point in preparation for 5 training cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard the USS. SIBONEYICVE-1121. After the-Cuantanamg cruise, the squadron was embarked on the USS. GILBERT 1SLANDlCVE-1075 for three weeks operations out of Quonset Point. For six weeks during .luly and August 1953, VS-31 was aboard the USS, SIBONEYQCVE-1121 conducting carrier Qualifications and advanced Hunter- Killer Exercises in preparation for Operation Mariner with the Atlantic Fleet. The present complement of VS-31 is 37 Officers and 290 Enlisted men, hx . CDR. R. E. MOORE. USN- Commanding Officer Nuff? LCDR. W. M. PARDEE. USN. Executive Officer 1 .... -..wg . LT. R. C. PRAETSCH. USN Operations Officer Consfanl' Vlgll Q. f'-X,

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4 VQIJW' , , -1 I K 2 f Y WHIRLYBIRDING OVER CITY ' I 'Q K i 1 ?f ORPHANS PARTY lf!! 2.2: ,Q J' 1. .Rx-'Q 13 Ts-ns CAN'T as m J. FRED MUGGS7 -AL iERS ALCIERS-the terraced gardens of the St. George, the Hotel Alcotti, the Municipal Casino, French cuisine, a drive through the hills and along the lovely beaches. Then the Casbah with its sordid alleys, the Moslem women, donkeys. children with sore eyes and scabbed legs. Certainly we will remember, this city of contrasts, and perhaps we just might remember the Sphinx! f ' n ' fl 0 - , rl Q .I ll f V A 'I

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