A
Dedication:
To the officers and men who have served and are now serving
with Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE.
Howard B. Kenton, CDR, USN, Commanding officer.
Richard (n) Gaibler, CDR, USN, Executive officer.
The History of Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE
FLEET GUARDIAN: AEWRON ONE
“Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty” said John P. Curran, an Irish statesman in 1808. The suicidal attacks on Okinawa in WW II caused the U.S.Navy grave concern for improving its vigilance. The low flying Japanese planes were able to come close to the fleet before the shipboard radar units could detect them and alert the Combat Information Centers. These centers then tried to communicate with their own fighters in an attempt to vector them in to destroy the enemy planes. Since radar works on line-of-sight principle, the logical method of raising the antenna to increase detection range for fleet coverage was accomplished by placing radar in an aircraft. This airborne radar platform could then patrol the skies far out from the fleet. with experienced radar operators aboard, approaching aircraft could be quickly evaluated. In addition to radioing this early warning to the ships, the radar operators could further communicate with our protecting fighter planes and steer them to an air-to-air intercept. In short, to solve the problem of high speed warfare the Navy hoped to extend its defensive perimeter through the use of an airborne CIC ( Combat Information Center )crew, which would provide Airborne Early Warning.
The Problems confronting these early workers were staggering. However, they fortunately received strong encouragement from the “top brass,” who recognized the potentialities of AEW. consequently, the original project Cadillac II, which was initiated toward the war’s end, was kept alive in late 1945 and 1946. Among the problems to be solved was developing a radar compact enough to be placed in an aircraft and sturdy enough to withstand the vibration received in rough air and on landings. This radar had to be complex enough to furnish the vital information concerning speeds, heights, and distances to the Combat Information Center; which needed excellent radio and telephone equipment for communication, both inside the aircraft and to other ships and aircraft.
The aircraft, in turn, had to be large enough to house the radar, the multiple radar scopes, and the CIC team. Furthermore, it had to be capable of patrolling for many hours, the longer the better! Cadillac II workers turned to the old reliable B-17 bomber for these requirements. The Navy dubbed them PB-lW’s. The first squadron to experiment with AEW was Experimental squadron Four (VX-4) operating out of Norfolk.
VX-4 participated in two “firsts” in 1946. It flew the first Navy radar weather reconnaissance flight on a hurricane in the Atlantic. It also participated in the first operational AEW mission. Admiral Marc Mitscher had zigzagged his fleet from the Caribbean to New York, where he was handed a complete and accurate track of his voyage, courtesy of VX-. 4’s airborne radar coverage.
The first AEW type squadron was VPW-1 which operated on the East Coast. AEWRON ONE evolved from aVC-l1 (now VAW-11) detachment, which was a west Coast outgrowth of VPW-1. This unit was commissioned Airborne Early warning squadron ONE (VW-l) on 18 June 1952 at NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii, making it the first landbased AEW squadron in the pacific. The squadron had only a few of the old PB-lw’s, adaptations of the Air Force B-17.
The PB-lw’s crossed the Pacific in February of 1953 when VW-1 deployed to Korea for a brief taste of combat patrolling. in October 1954, the squadron received its first WV-2 Warning Star, the Navy’s radar configured version of Lockheed’s Super Constellation airliners with the famed triple-tail trademark of Lockheed. Easily distinguishable is the “fin” atop the fuselage which houses the height-finding radar gear, and the large “bubble” underneath which contains the distance-measuring radar. This bubble has led some people to dub the aircraft “careless Connie.” VW-l has its own club, “The Order of the Pregnant Geese,” which accepts crew members who have accumulate 200 flight hours in our beloved “pregnant goose.”
Regardless of her name, VW-1 has had astounding success with the WV-2, logging over 70,000 accident-free flying hours with this remarkable aircraft. For you statisticians, that’s the equivalent of 11 million nautical miles traveled, 440 times around the earth at the equator, or for you astronautically minded people, 22 round trips to the moon. That is quite a bit of traveling for a squadron that has never had over 12 aircraft at any one time.
VW-1 and its WV-2’s were an immediate success operationally. Fleet units around Hawaii were pleased with the performance of our radar which could sweep an area of over 100,000 square miles six times a minute in its search for enemies or weather. VW-1 was called upon to provide a permanent detachment for exercises with the 7th Fleet in WestPac. This detachment operated out of Sangley Pt., Cubi Pt., Naha and Atsugi. Our aircraft participated in the Tachan evacuation in 1955 and Taiwan straits patrol through 1957. At the same time the highly important barrier line stretching across the northern pacific from Hawaii to Alaska was started. VW-1 initially trained these crews. VW-1’s new sister squadrons were called up on to provide 24 hour coverage for this segment of the far flung DEW (Distant Early warning) Line which stretches entirely around the USA and Canada from the Pacific through the Arctic to the North Atlantic. In 1957, VW-1 was ordered to NAS Agana, Guam to provide closer support to the powerful 7th Fleet. The commanding officer of VW-1 has traditionally been Commander Fleet Air Detachment (CFAD) Guam and designated Commander Task Group 70.3. Administrative control has rested with Commander Fleet Air Southwest pacific (ComFairSowestPac). From 1957 to 1960 NAS Agana was a beehive of activity with the squadrons of VW-1 and VW-3 fully manned and frequently deploying on AEW missions, operating out of advance bases in the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. VW-1 and VW-3 each had 12 aircraft, approximately 120 officers, and 600 enlisted men. On 1 July 1960 VW-3 was deactivated. Its planes were sent to Arizona for mothballing; and most of the personnel rotated to other assignments; quite a few officers and men were absorbed into VW-1. VW-1 was told to begin training for the additional mission of weather reconnaissance. On 1 July 1961 the primary mission of the squadron became weather reconnaissance, though we retained much of our AEW commitments to the 7th Fleet. By this time the squadron had received and begun to train 6 flight aerologists and 18 enlisted aerographers. Meteorological equipment was installed in all the aircraft. consequently, the squadron was prepared for the many weather reconnaissance requests which came from Fleet weather Central/Joint Typhoon Warning Center located on Nimitz Hill. Its first typhoon season found VW-1 flying 114 missions including 85 critical fixes on tropical storms and typhoons. A total of 854 flight hours were logged on weather reconnaissance from 1 July to 31 December 1961, as we earned the title of “Typhoon Trackers,” thereby joining our sister squadron,VW-4, known as the Atlantic's “Hurricane Hunters.” The WV-2 proved equally versatile as either an airborne weather office or CIC platform. Guam also proved an ideal base for weather reconnaissance as most of the storms originated in this region before moving west and/or north-westward.
VW-1 looks forward to its 10th anniversary on 18 June 1962 with increased confidence. we have been reduced to 6 operational aircraft, 61 officers and 395 enlisted men, but our dual mission of AEW coverage for the 7th Fleet and weather reconnaissance for the entire western Pacific gives us a very strong operational base. Our squadron symbol, Paul Revere mounted on the white horse, Pegasus, riding to warn of the approaching enemy will undoubtedly remain both familiar and appropriate to the people in WestPac for years to come as we continue to provide early warning of possible typhoons and enemy aircraft.
VW-1 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
John B. Sherfy, Jr., CDR, USN, operations officer. The operation Department -- THE WEATHER OFFICE As directed by the chief of Naval operations, commander Naval Air Forces, pacific, assigned AEWRON ONE (VW-1) the primary task of airborne weather reconnaissance on 1 July 1961. in support of this new assignment,VW-1 set up a weather office and was assigned 7 officers and 17 enlisted men. The first requirement faced by the weather office was to prepare a training program, with airborne weather reconnaissance as its subject, for its weather personnel and put it to use. They also had to assure useful continuance of training programs in the months and years to come.
In addition to the above requirements, the weather office provides information concerning present and forecast weather conditions in the squadron’s operating areas and within the air routes joining them with each other and, of course, with Guam; the weather office assists in the planning of all weather reconnaissance flights; the weather office is responsible for taking and communicating to the joint Typhoon warning Center located on Nimitz Hill all inflight weather observations; the weather office maintains a complete file of all weather reconnaissance records some of which are transferred to the National weather Records Center in Ashville, North Carolina, to provide valuable research information and permanent safe—keeping; finally, the weather office recommends the assignment of all weather personnel to weather reconnaissance flight crews.
As a squadron, AEWRON ONE is unique in two respects. First, it is one of only two such squadrons in the united states Navy assigned weather reconnaissance as the primary mission; second, it is one of the few squadrons in the Armed Forces actually employed in its primary mission, in that other squadrons are usually assigned primary missions of combat in nature which cannot be fulfilled during the peacetime campaign, thus, causing these activities to train for combat or to carry out other tasks of a secondary nature. VW-1 is at war with weather, a war that knows no peaceful solution. only through adequate warning leading to efficient preparedness can civilization be assured minimum damage. VW- 1 provides the adequate warning which makes these preparations possible to save lives and minimize property damage.
Before relating the story of VW-1’s first typhoon season and the details of how the squadron performs this job, a breakdown of tropical disturbances will follow. The typhoon season begins in June and continues through November each year, however, it is not uncommon for these tropical disturbances to occur during the “off season” months. Tropical disturbances have three classifications: (1) The Tropical Depression is a tropical cyclone in which maximum surface winds are less then 34 knots; (2) The Tropical storm is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum surface winds are no more than 63 knots, but 34 knots or more; and, (3) The Typhoon is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum surface winds exceed 63 knots. These storms are also referred to as Hurricanes, Baguios, and willy Willies in other parts of the world.
The average monthly frequency of these tropical cyclones is as follows: From January through April the average is less than one a month; May and June the average is one a month; from July through October the average becomes three to four a month; and, the average for November is two. December’s average is one. In 1959, 18 tropical cyclones became typhoons; in 1960, 21 tropical cyclones became typhoons; and, in 1961, 69 tropical cyclones were recorded, of which 19 became typhoons, 9 became tropical storms, and 37 were classified as tropical depressions.
The squadron’s first typhoon season, 1 July 1961 to 31 December 1961, was a huge success. VW-1 fulfilled all of the 114 weather missions requested by the Joint Typhoon Warning center, Guam. in fulfilling these missions, 853.5 flight hours were compiled in 107 flights making 118 actual fixes. These flights were made on all categories of tropical cyclones, that is to say, from flying investigations flights on areas of suspected disturbance to actually penetrating a typhoon to obtain a fix. some of these typhoons packed center surface winds in excess of 100 knots.
VW-1 received it first assignment on 1 July 1961, thus commencing its newly assigned mission with no delay. The first typhoon fixed after 1 July 1961 was “Elsie” on the 13th day of July. This typhoon had center winds in excess of
80 knots. From “Elsie,” the weather squadron went on to fix 14 more typhoons, 3 tropical storms, and approximately 25 other tropical disturbances. The last flight of the 1961 season was made on typhoon “Ellen” on 13 December 1961. The longest single reconnaissance flight of the season came about on the 15th of November. Eighteen point one flight hours were flown, excluding 1 hour ground time for refueling, making two fixes on typhoon “Dot” near Wake Island.
VW-1s area of responsibility is wide, covering the entire area of the pacific west of the International Date-Line and north of the Equator, including the South China sea. To cover this wide area, the squadron utilized four bases of operation excluding, of course, Guam. The four operating bases were: NAS Atsugi, Japan; NAF Naha, Okinawa; NS sangley Point, Luzon, Philippines; and FAA wake Island.
AEWRON ONE’S successful season is noted by the letters of appreciation it received from various parent activities. The first appreciation to be noted came on the 20th of September 1961 from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which stated in part, “From standpoint this command, operational and scientific performance of VW-1 outstanding in all respects and in accordance with highest traditions of the Naval service.” On the 19th of January 1962 a “well done” was received from the Commander in Chief, pacific Fleet. The commander seventh Fleet stated, “Request you pass to all officers and men of your command my personal thanks for a long, tedious and difficult job. very well done.” Finally, and certainly no least, was the following message received from the Chief of Naval operations, “The outstanding performance of VW-1 during 1961 typhoon season is noted with pleasure. well done. George W. Anderson.”
A weather reconnaissance mission actually consists of three steps: (1) pre—flight; (2) in—flight; and (3) post—flight. Pre-flight begins approximately two hours before the actual takeoff time, which is established according to the time the fix is requested by JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center) and the distance to the storm. The pre-flight consists of assuring the safety of the aircraft for the flight and preparations by the weather personnel to assure that all weather instruments are in operating order. The weather officer assists the pilot and navigator in planning for the flight, and recommends procedures to be taken to fix the storm.
The second step, in-flight, is the actual weather reconnaissance flight and fixing of the storm. The weather personnel begin immediately to transmit weather information back to JTWC. This information consists of cloud structures, surface winds, visibility, temperature, relative humidity, and all other weather information observed. At the proper time, the actual storm is located and plotted geographically and its position sent to JTWC. Along with the actual position of the storm, information concerning its size and movement are sent, and if penetration is made all weather information mentioned above is obtained and sent with the position. Having fixed the storm, the aircraft heads for its destination.
Post-flight consists of first, the weather officer calling JTWC and assuring JTWC that all information concerning the storm is in their possession. He then writes out a post-flight summary for filing in the weather office. The senior enlisted weatherman gathers all the records made on the flight and assures their proper filing in the weather office.
The operation Department -- CIC DIVISION The CIC Division is an integral part of the Operations
Department with AEWRON ONE. It’s function is twofold: to train personnel in their responsibilities for Airborne Early Warning, and to collect and evaluate information obtained from barrier operations and typhoon reconnaissance.
It is the duty of the CIC officer, assisted by his staff, to supervise and coordinate the flow of AEW information between operational departments of the squadron and 7th Fleet activities. To do this, it is necessary to maintain current CIC logs and assist in the development of operation plans and orders. The CIC Division must work closely with the Aerology Division to help perform the primary mission of the squadron, which is typhoon reconnaissance.
The operation Department -- THE FLIGHT OFFICE The Flight office is the administrative and coordinating division of the operations department. The men in this office perform clerical and record-keeping tasks, which are then used to help write out the many reports required of the squadron.
The Flight office also prepares the daily flight schedule, coordinates aircraft maintenance and repair, and schedules operational and training flights in accordance with aircraft availability.
Crew assignments are made in this office too, and here is where the plans for the deployment of squadron aircraft are formed. Last, but certainly not least, the Flight office is responsible for the administration of flight pay.
The operation Department -- AIR INTELLIGENCE
The primary responsibility of the Air Intelligence office is to ensure that the Commanding officer is constantly informed of all Intelligence matters which may effect decisions on the command level. This involves the accumulation of pertinent information, evaluation of its bearing on squadron operations, and dissemination of such information to the proper personnel.
The Air Intelligence Officer also provides staff services to the Commanding officer and acts as a special assistance to the Operations officer, aiding in the coordination of deployment plans and briefing necessary personnel on deployment operations.
The Operation Department -- COMMUNICATION5 DIVISION The VW-1 Communications office is the “HUB” of all squadron messages, classified and unclassified. All messages addressed to the squadron are first sent to this office. They, in turn, distribute the traffic to squadron personnel on a “need to know” basis, from the Commanding Officer on down to the newest recruit, if this also affects him.
At the present time, the office has two officers in charge, one designate Communications officer and the other Assistant Communications officer. The office also has an enlisted supervisor. The other people in the office are primarily AG’S, numbering five, and two non-designated airmen.
Their watches are set up on mid, eve, day basis. They stand three of each of these watches and then are granted time off.
In addition to handling classified and unclassified message traffic, the communications office also has secondary duties. All of the radiomen on VW-1 aircraft are responsible to turn in their logs to this office, where they are filed. The office also handles all phone requests, removals, and relocations.
Last, but not least, the office is responsible for the plotting of all aircraft on trans-Pacs and weather missions. The aircraft send position reports every hour and these are plotted so that all squadron personnel can see where their planes are. There is also a plot kept of all weather missions. The weather messages come over the teletype in code which is broken down by the AG’S and then put on the board. This way, you can readily tell what type of weather the aircraft is encountering.
To sum things up, the communications office, as mentioned earlier, is the “HUB” of the squadron, with the spokes being the various office spaces. Its job is extremely important to the smooth operation of the squadron and “Security consciousness” is utmost in the minds of all.
The Operation Department -- NAVIGATION
The Navigation office has the responsibility of ordering, and supplying the Pilots and Navigators with the charts, sextants, chronometers, and other gear needed for navigational purposes during the course of a flight. A local area Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) board is kept, along with a chart showing restricted areas and warning areas in the operational areas.
The operation Department -- TRAINING DIVISION The Training officer and his assistants supervise the training of squadron flight personnel in their qualifications for crew members. This training is not only for pilots, it is training for all crew members, engineers, radiomen, etc.
Certain qualifications are required for all crew members. some of these are: survival——Land and Sea; Atomic, Biological and Chemical (ABC) warfare; Medical First Aid; C.I.C.; Air Intelligence; Legal; Meteorology.
Flight training is supervised here. Our instructors are the Plane Commanders of the squadron, who are responsible for standardizing and upgrading pilots from Third Pilot, Second Pilot, to the Plane Commander designation. Training is a continuous operation for all hands.
VW-1 MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Edward C. Miller, CDR, USN, Maintenance officer. The large number of personnel in the Maintenance Department, in relation to other VW-1 departments, indicates the tremendous amount of work accomplished by this group of Navy men.
Briefly, the Maintenance Department is responsible for the upkeep of all the squadron aircraft. This includes everything from changing a small nut on a bolt to mounting an entire new engine on an aircraft. simple as it may sound, it takes many highly trained men to accomplish this mission and do it effectively. The outstanding flight safety record of VW-1 aircraft indicates the high quality of workmanship provide by these trained men.
Maintenance is divided into several different divisions comprising the shops Division, Quality Control Division, Planning Division, and the Line Division. Beginning with the shops Division we will briefly describe each Division’s assigned duties. The shops Division is divided into several branches. The Power Plants branch is responsible for the care and upkeep of each engine on every squadron aircraft, they also change each engine that has reached its maximum are or has developed some other malady. Air Frames handles the main structure of the aircraft including fuselage, wings, and tail section. They also are responsible for all the hydraulic and fuel lines running throughout the aircraft. Avionics keeps the radar in operating condition in addition to all the communication and electrical wiring aboard. Aviation EpuiDment has an all important lob in maintaining the on-board survival equipment. They periodically repack parachutes, test life rafts and vests, and handle all other personal survival equipment that may be required for flight.
The Quality control Division has a big job in inspecting all work performed by the Shops Division for any defects or inadvertent mistakes made while routine work requests are being fulfilled.
The Line Division personnel are experts in aircraft ground handling. They are the ones who park the planes and help direct pilots coming in from all flights. Their tools are the tractors and power units provided the aircraft during ground operations.
Last, but not least, is the Planning Division. Every day a virtual flood of paperwork comes through this division and must be routed to all other members of the Department. They are the ones, in conjunction with the Department Head, who coordinate the entire department. In addition, there are multitudes of Maintenance reports that must go out periodically to other Naval activities all over the world, and this is accomplished by the Planning Division.
All the divisions, working as a team, easily and willingly accept the challenge setforth by the heavy operational commitments required to keep VW-1 an outstanding squadron.
VW-1 ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT
Marvin L. Doliana, LCDR, USN, Administrative officer. The Administrative Department embraces personnel, Officer’s Records, Information and Education, Career Appraisal, special services, and Public Information. There are 14 officers and about 15 enlisted men occupied with some phase of this huge task, and three buildings in the squadron area are concerned with the subject of Administration.
The Administrative Department -- PERSONNEL
Here is where the enlisted men’s records are kept, and where any additions or corrections to these important documents are made. The Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) orders are “cut” here also, and Per Diem claims are routed through this office before they go to the Navy Accounts Disbursing Office (NADO) for payment. Housing for incoming personnel is handled in this office too, as well as the issuing of 1.0. cards for the men and their dependents.
The Administrative Department -- OFFICER’S RECORDS This section takes care of the additions and corrections to the officer’s records, initiates the completion of the required fitness reports, houses the Registered Publications office, puts out the Plan of the Day, routes all mail addressed to the squadron, and handles a great deal of paperwork required each day.
The Administrative Department -- INFORMATION AND EDUCATION All the correspondence courses, informative books and pamphlets, and enlisted examinations for rate are handled here, and it is a big job in itself.
The Administrative Department -- CAREER APPRAISAL
A part of the I & E building is set aside for this, and an officer is present to help anyone contemplating re-enlistment, or whoever desires a good look at just what the future holds for him. other parts of this job include insurance counseling, and advice on savings programs.
The Administrative Department -- SPECIAL SERVICES Here is a very broad field that has many facets. To begin with, all the sporting facilities available are listed and displayed in prominent areas, and it is in this office that arrangements are made for the Squadron parties, picnics, and other outings. squadron funds are computed and recorded here, and the special Services officer must attend meetings with the other tenant activities on the base for the purpose of allotting money for other recreational activities.
The Administrative Department -- PUBLIC INFORMATION This is the main outlet for all the news that leaves the squadron. Working in conjunction with VAP-61, pictures are obtained of worthy squadron activities and functions, appropriate stories are written and captions are provided, and all news releases are sent to one of the many publications for possible inclusion.
The Administrative Department -- FIRST LIEUTENANT This division is responsible for the upkeep of all buildings, furniture, fixtures, and areas assigned to the squadron. In addition, the First Lieutenant has the responsibility to achieve the highest possible standards of cleanliness, neatness, and sanitation of both personnel and material in the barracks and assigned area surrounding the barracks. Another function of this active division is to exercise close supervision and control over all assigned squadron vehicles and drivers.
The Administrative Department -- LEGAL
VW-1 Legal office advises squadron officers and enlisted personnel on legal matters. Investigations as required are conducted concerning the circumstances surrounding alleged offenses, and each case is processed through this office in preparation for Executive Officer’s Screening Mast and Captain’s Non-Judicial punishment. A complete file of all court-martial cases, commanding officer’s non-judicial punishment and other reports pertaining to disciplinary action taken by the commanding officer are maintained in this office.
VW-1 MATERIAL DEPARTMENT
Kenneth R. Shirley, LT (Sc), USN, Material officer.
The Material Department of Airborne Early warning Squadron ONE has the primary responsibility of providing all materials required to keep the squadron’s aircraft in a flying status. A secondary responsibility is to provide such materials as office supplies for the various offices, publications as required by the squadron, cleaning materials for squadron spaces, and other related procurement functions.
To effectively carry out these responsibilities requires a close liaison and coordination with each and every department, division, and shop in the squadron. The Department Head and his staff of eight Aviation Storekeepers must constantly and diligently screen and evaluate the squadron’s requirements to prevent possible shortages of materials and spare parts, to insure that the operating funds allotted is sufficient for planned operations, and to provide an expeditious and economical system of fulfilling all material requirements.
The sources of procurement for these materials are established by Navy Department directives and must be followed in all cases. The immediate supply source for AEWRON ONE is the Naval Supply Depot, Guam. All material requests are submitted initially to the Naval Supply Depot, Guam, who will fill the requirement or initiate procurement action to the next applicable source of supply.
The Supply officer, AEWRON ONE, is assigned the additional duty of operating Aviation Auxiliary Store #3 for the Naval Air Station. Agana, Guam. This store, which is located in building 7-34 in the AEWRON ONE spaces, provides a majority of the squadron’s requirements. All aircraft spare parts and materials peculiar to the WV-2/R7V aircraft and certain high usage items common to many aircraft types are stocked in this Auxiliary Store. Requirements not available in the Auxiliary store are forwarded to the Aviation Department of the Naval supply depot, Guam.
After the requisitions have been filled, a copy of each document must then be processed through the AEWRON ONE Supply Department to complete the requisition file and make charges to the squadron’s operating funds. A weekly “status of operating Funds” report is submitted by the Supply officer to the Commaning officer, Executive officer, Maintenance officer, and Operations officer as an aid in planning and scheduling flight operations.
The operating funds for the squadron are granted on a quarterly basis by the commander Naval Air Force, Pacific. This fund is AEWRON ONE’s allocation of the large Congressional appropriation established for the operation of all naval aviation units. Accounting responsibility for aviation units located in the Pacific area has been assigned to Fleet Aviation Accounting office,Pacific. weekly summary letters with copies of requisitions chargeable to this allotment must be submitted by AEWRON ONE to the Fleet Aviation Accounting office. These copies of requisitions are matched with copies furnished by the issuing activity to insure that proper utilization and accounting procedures are being followed.
Another operating fund used by the squadron is the series “ALPHA” fund which is furnished by the Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam. This fund is expended for household and cleaning materials and such other supplies that are not directly incident to aircraft maintenance and operations.
The foregoing are some basic responsibilities of the Material Department. It can readily be seen that the planning, organization, and implementation of effective procedures for the accomplishment of these responsibilities contributes to the overall effectiveness of the squadron in performing its mission.
VW-1 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
Larry G. Ray, LT (MC), USN, Flight Surgeon. Wallace R. Leyda, LT (DC), USNR, Flight Dentist.
The Medical Department -- FLIGHT SURGEON
The Flight Surgeon is responsible for physical and mental health program of his squadron, and toward this end spends a portion of each day in friendly personal contact with his men, as well as conducting sick call and routine physical examinations. He is also responsible for preventive medicine program, and in support of this lectures frequently to the men on topics of current importance and discusses certain aero-medical problems.
It is also his duty to fly with his men in order to become familiar with their problems incident to flight. The F light Surgeon is also responsible for the first aid training of all men in his squadron.
The Medical Department -- FLIGHT DENTIST
Although the dental officer is not in direct contact with his squadron, his duties are to provide dental treatment for his unit on the same basis as personnel of the station providing the dental facility. The dental officer is provided equal working space with the other dental officers by the U. S. Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam.
His treatment includes all personnel of the station, which totals approximately 1,800 military personnel, and 2,000 dependents. Dental education through lectures and at chair side is an important function provided by the dental officer.
FLEET AIRBORNE ELECTRONICS TRAINING UNIT PACIFIC, AVIATION TRAINING AIDS BRANCH, VW-1 DETACHMENT
Lester A. valentine, TD1, USN, Petty Officer-in-Charge. FAETUPAC Detachment
As authorized by the Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet, Aviation Training Aids Branch is established with a petty Officer in Charge at locations that require the assignment and support of training devices and aids in quantities and extent that would not justify the establishment of a FAETUPAC Detachment. In view of the limited capabilities of an Aviation Training Aids Branch, it’s range of training support is not intended to include classroom or extensive type training programs, and will normally be confined to: (a.) Operation and maintenance of assigned major training devices; (b.) The stocking and maintaining of adequate quantities of minor training devices and aids for issuance to supported fleet air units; and, (c.) The stocking and issuing of training films.
VW-1 IN BRIEF
Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE VW-1), a land based unit of the Seventh Fleet, commanded by Commander Howard B. Kenton, USN, welcomes you aboard the WV-2, the Navy electronically configured version of the Lockheed Super Constellation.
TheWV-2 is designed to furnish radar early warning of approaching enemy aircraft and to guide our own fighters in to intercept the enemy. Most of the Navy’s WV-2 squadrons are engaged in patrol work of this nature along Distant Early Warning (DEW) lines in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. VW-1 operates with Task Forces of the Seventh Fleet throughout the western Pacific, providing early warning coverage, search and rescue operations, and weather reconnaissance.
During the 1961 typhoon season,VW-1 flew 116 weather flights in coordination with Fleet weather Central/Joint Typhoon warning Center, Guam. The squadron has earned for itself the title of “Typhoon Trackers” of the Pacific.
WV-2 Data:
Weight (loaded) 145,000 pounds
Length 116 feet
Wing span 127 feet
Endurance 20 hours
Crew 28
Engine (each) 3,250 horsepower
Fuel load (max.) 8,768 gallons
The (APS-20E) radar in the WV-2 can sweep an area of over 100,000 square miles six times a minute in its search for enemies or weather.
The power needed to operate the equipment is enough to furnish electrical power for a city of 10,000.
The total cost of a WV-2 is over 7 million dollars.
VW-1 received its first WV-2 models in 1954. The squadron has logged over 70,000 accident-free hours in this remarkable aircraft.
Courtesy of Earles McCaul and CDR Ed Bleynat, USN (RET)
