Wasp (CV 18) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 un-A, CAG-COMMANDER ROY SWANSON CARRIER AIR GROUP 17 The groom, Air Group SEVENTEEN and Detachments came to the WASP with a history filled with action, and including m0flY Claims lo aviation fame. East coast iets were first assigned to squadron VF-l7l in l9 47. VF-l7l and VF-l72 were the first iets squadrons to Pcfllclpole in full scale combat exercises in l9SO. VF-i712 took the first banshee squadron into Korean action in l95l. Many Mediterranean cruiseS and fleet exercises helped built the reputation which the group holds as being the finest in the Atlantic Fleet. Little wonder then that the groom's boys were selected to team with the WASP tor the round the world cruise and Korean action. The Atlantic Fleet's reputation in N'VestPoc was in capable hands. Commander Swanson, CAG to his boys, had been the boss for over a year when we started. He knew the pilots and their pl0f16S e'V well, since he ioined each in turn to lead them in the air, both ashore and on board ship. His boys experienced the toughening trial of combat exercises. Their personalities developed from the eagerness of volatile yovth O the confidence of maturity. The boss thought of VF-l7l as his prodigal son, always eager to be oFf on detached duty, but mOf9 lhan glad to return to home base. f Korean waters, Japan liberty, and bargain hunting were old stuft to the boys of VF-l72. A superior attitude was theirs OS 0 fesull O knowledge gained in Korean war operations, and the title fair haired boy of the family an apt nick-name. I on The supersonic boys of VF-l73's testers proved to be the pranlcster son. Flying the new Cougar , the Killers and thelf Flew so mastered Momma's and Pappa's new toy and made their tests boom through the skies of the Far East. dme The heavy duty member of CAG's teams, VA-375, were his old reliables , the steady performers who carried the bl99e5l loo farthest distance, big brother we called him. I I the Among his adopted children the boss counted the night prowlers from VC-4. They logged more time on condition f4i than they did inmue air. The sub-hunters from VC-l2 bore the distinction of being the only ones awarded the honor of induction into the Royal Order of was Noses as a result of crossing the Arctic Circle. The other night tiying detachment who shared the wrath of all for sleepless hours The VC-33. Ready One missed many a movie during their flying evenings. Our photo boys came with us from .lacks0nville's VC-62. Spider Flight made themselves popular with their excellent air shots of Air Group planes and pilots.