A
A-1/AD Skyraider aircraft, 213, 270, 274, 275, 278, 280, 285, 286, 292, 314
A-3 Skywarrior aircraft, 247, 262, 331, 340, 345n8
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft, 247–48, 259, 265, 282, 285, 286–87, 290, 292
A-5 Vigilante bomber, 248, 266
A-6 Intruder bomber, 248, 256, 266, 267, 282, 285, 292, 336
A-7 Corsair II aircraft, 248, 249, 253, 255, 256, 259, 266, 267, 285
Abraham Lincoln, 336
aeronautics research, 12, 19, 20–22, 27–28
Air Force, U.S.: accident rate, 241, 265; bombing role of, 311–12; establishment of, 311; jet aircraft, transition to, 241; Korean conflict, 274–75, 277, 313; maintenance practices, 261; rescue operations, 226, 229; roles and missions of, 311–12, 318, 324; safety issues and initiatives, 262–63
air wings: number of aircraft in, 88, 159, 160, 167–68, 170–71, 193n12, 194n17, 194n19, 340; types of aircraft for, 87, 110, 147–48, 150n21, 173–74, 176, 188–89, 307–8
aircraft: advances in, 2, 3, 20–21, 35, 209–10, 264; bailing out, 259; control systems for, 20, 24; cost of, 148; crashes and accidents, 19–20, 25, 164, 165, 194n15, 241–42, 244–45, 265; design and development of, 8–10, 13–14, 210–15; early research and development, 6–8; funding for, 147, 303, 307; interwar development of, 199–200; loss of during Pacific campaign, 210; manufacturing of, 24–25, 151n40, 200, 209–10, 303, 307; orders for, 26, 139, 151n29; patent dispute over design of, 9, 14, 26; procurement of, 16, 17, 149n7, 167, 303; quality of, 24–25; range of, 31, 33–35, 37, 101; system of aircraft-type symbols, 156; technology transitions, dangers during, 49; for World War I, 154, 190n3, 200. See also air wings; jet aircraft; seaplanes and flying boats
aircraft carrier design: angled flight decks, 258, 259, 265, 333, 335, 349n12; armored flight decks, 172–73, 183–86; characteristics proposed by Aviation Division, 156, 190–91n4; construction time and, 145–46; deck equipment for landings, 84, 155–56; deck size and specifications, 167–68, 194n18, 341, 342; elevators, 84, 165–66, 170, 330, 335; flexible decks, 333; guns on flight deck, 160–61; larger carriers, 340–42; nuclear carriers, 335, 336–37; preliminary characteristics, 157–58, 190n2, 192–93nn8–9, 329–31, 344–48nn6–10; ship conversions, 24, 80, 97, 134, 153, 156, 157, 159, 186–88, 192n7, 193n10, 197–98nn29–32; size and specifications, 89; smaller carrier designs, 338–40, 349nn16–17; treaty tonnage limits and, 146; for two-ocean Navy, 177–82, 196–97nn27–28; Washington Naval Treaty and, 167–75, 194n17, 194n19. See also catapults
aircraft carriers: annual building program, 335, 336; carrier task force, emergence of, 100–110; construction and commissioning of, 138–39, 140, 141–45, 151n35, 156, 179–81, 189, 340; cost of, 141, 143, 191n5; crashes aboard, 164, 165, 194n15, 257, 265; deck park, 88; disarmament conference and treaty and, 159–60; effectiveness of, 53, 215, 343; first American, 6; flexibility of, 325; flight deck hazards, 164, 261; flight-deck operations, 85; independent operations by, 101, 107–8, 115, 116, 122–23; launching and landing procedures, 83–85, 134, 162–66, 193–94nn14–15, 254, 257–59, 330, 334, 342–43, 349n18; logistical demands of operations with, 104; night operations, 182–83; nuclear carriers, 337–38, 342; offensive missions with, 53, 81, 88–89, 97, 99–100, 104, 110, 189–90, 201; optical landing system, 258, 259, 265, 334; refueling of, 112; role in fleet operations, 3, 133, 156–57, 191n5, 306, 322–29, 341, 343–44nn2–5, 351–54; sinking of and damage to, 101, 126n24; specialized air groups, 126–27n33; system of ship-type symbols, 156, 185; tactics and operational methods for, 80–83, 85–87, 89, 134, 182–83; technological advances, 343; vulnerability of, 101, 108, 123, 177
airships: acquisition of, 44; blimps, 44, 49–50; capabilities and value of, 44, 106, 123; commercial airships, 43; contributions of, 50; development of, 6, 43; dirigibles, 24, 44, 304, 305; interest in, 24, 302; military missions with, 35, 43, 44, 46–50, 155, 194n16; purchase of, 24; range of, 35; requests for, 26; rigid airships, 44–49, 194n16, 208; scouting missions, 208–9; size and specifications, 43, 47, 49, 50; termination of operations with, 50, 305, 319n25; terminology, 44; value of, 110
anti-submarine warfare: aircraft and carrier operations for, 331–32, 337, 338–39; Battle of the Atlantic, 309; helicopters and rotary-wing aircraft for, 221, 223, 224, 227, 229–30, 231–32, 235, 236, 337, 339; Navy’s role in, 313–14
Army/Army Air Force/Army Air Corps, U.S.: Aeronautical Division, 8–9; aircraft development and flight testing, 13–14; aviation program, development of, 5, 6–8, 16–17, 302, 318n6; aviation program, future of, 311; bombing role of, 304, 309, 310; coastal defense operations, 214, 306–7; fleet-based versus land-based aircraft for Navy, 35, 208, 214, 305–7; funding for aviation program, 16–17; helicopter demonstration, 220, 221; Korean conflict, 273–74, 276–79, 313; Navy aviation, cooperation with, 14–15; roles and missions of, 311–12, 324; Wright brothers Military Flyer, 8–9
aviation: beginnings of military aviation, 6–8; Curtiss’ contributions, 9–10; first military aircraft, 8–9; German development of military aviation, 12; government funding for, 8; Wright brothers flight research and testing, 8–9. See also naval aviation
aviation safety, 262–64
B
B-17 bombers, 310
B-24 Liberator aircraft, 214, 308, 309, 313, 316
B-25 bombers, 310
B-26 Invader, 271
B-36 Peacemaker, 243, 273, 312, 324–25
B-52 Stratofortress, 293
battleships: anti-aircraft capabilities, 89; capabilities of, 83, 319n29; construction and commissioning of, 138, 143; design of, 153; expansion of fleet, 10, 137, 140, 150n20, 151n31; improvements to, 92n26; loss of, 143, 308; naval aviation and future of, 26–28, 123, 124, 132; planes on, 15, 18, 22, 24, 26; treaty tonnage limits, 158–59, 193n11
Bennington (CV-20), 143
bombing: aircraft for, 171, 195n23, 203–4, 210–15, 304, 309, 344–46nn7–8; dive-bombing, 86–87, 106–7, 119, 123, 169, 212; effectiveness of, 203, 214–15; horizontal bombing, 106–7, 119, 123
Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), 143, 289
Bristol, Mark, 22–26, 27, 28, 190n2
Bunker Hill (CV-17), 141, 151n35, 179, 220, 221, 224–25
Bush, George H.W., 351
C
Carrier Strike Groups, 353
Carrier Task Force, 95, 123–24
Catalina aircraft. See PBY Catalina aircraft
catapults: advances in, 27–28, 330; development of, 17–18, 153; effectiveness of, 164; hydraulic, 186, 197n29, 258, 330, 334; importance of, 164–65, 178; installation of, 23–24, 161, 330–31; problems with, 25; purpose of, 161; steam, 258–59, 333–34
Chambers, Washington Irving: aeronautics board chairmanship, 19; aircraft development and flight testing, 13–14; aviation program, control of, 18–19; aviation program, promotion and development of, 5, 11–13, 15–16, 18, 27; catapult development, 17–18, 23, 27–28; legacy of, 27–28; pilot recruitment, 13; pilot training, 13; replacement of, 22; role in transformation of Navy, 11; safety concerns of, 20; sea duty of, 18, 19; seaplanes, interest in, 15
Civil War, 6
Coast Guard, U.S., 220–21, 222, 223, 224, 227, 315
Cold War, 243, 273, 293–94, 311–16, 323, 325–28
Constellation, 286–87
convoy escort operations. See escort operations
Curtiss, Glenn: aircraft demonstration by, 12; aircraft demonstrations, 153; aircraft development and flight testing, 9–10, 13, 21; aircraft manufacturing by, 24–25; flying boat development, 17, 33–34; Navy’s relationship with, 27; seaplane development, 12, 15, 16, 17, 200; speed record, 9, 21
D
D-558-1 Skystreak, 247
D-558-2 Skyrocket, 247
Daniels, Josephus, 18, 19, 23, 24, 77n39, 133
Desert Storm Operation, 236, 243
disarmament: peacetime reductions, 54, 59–60, 64–65, 71, 72, 74–75n16, 95–96, 272, 273, 304; post–World War II drawdown, 272, 273. See also Washington Naval Treaty
Drone Antisubmarine Helicopter (DASH) program, 232, 235
DT aircraft, 201–2
E
E-2 Hawkeyes, 338
EA-6B Prowler, 282
Ellyson, Theodore, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28
Ely, Eugene Burton, 3, 5, 7, 12–13, 19, 27, 95, 153, 302
Enterprise (CV-6): Battle of Midway, 89; construction and commissioning of, 109, 135, 143, 152n54, 171; design of, 335; effectiveness of, 172; Fleet maneuvers, participation by, 117–19, 130n68; nuclear carrier, 338; Vietnam War, 284
Enterprise-class carriers, 282
Erickson, Frank, 222, 223–24, 226–27, 229–30
escort operations: air cover for shipping, 309; Battle of the Atlantic, 308–9; blimps, 49–50; escort carriers (CVEs), 146–47, 160, 187–88; sea control ships, 338, 339, 349n14
Essex (CV-9), 137, 142, 145, 146, 177–79, 196n27
Essex-class carriers, 89, 137, 146, 150n21, 163, 172, 181, 284–85, 331, 344n6, 347–48n9
F
F2H Banshee fighters, 244, 245, 246, 254, 259, 282
F3D Skyknight fighters, 245, 246, 282
F-4 Phantom II fighter, 241, 248, 253, 255, 266, 282, 285, 290, 291, 292
F4D Skyray fighters, 247, 251, 265
F4F Wildcat fighters, 87, 147, 148, 206, 210
F4U Corsair fighter-bomber, 147, 148, 210, 213–14, 260, 271, 272, 274, 275, 280
F6C Hawks, 203
F6F Hellcat fighter, 147, 148, 210
F6U Pirate fighters, 245
F7U Cutlass fighters, 244, 245, 246, 247, 251, 266
F-8 Crusader fighter, 241, 242, 248, 251, 265, 266, 282, 285, 286, 292
F8C aircraft, 204
F9F-2 Panther fighters, 244, 245, 246, 247, 251, 254, 266, 271, 274, 275, 276, 281
F9F-6 Cougar fighters, 246, 247, 254, 257–58, 266
F-11 Tiger fighters, 244, 247, 265
F-14 Tomcat fighters, 248, 249, 255, 315, 327, 340, 343
F-18 Hornet fighters, 248, 249, 252, 253, 264
F-80 Shooting Star, 241, 271, 275
F-86 Sabre fighters, 247, 275, 282
F/A-18 Hornet fighters, 241, 243, 267, 315, 343
fan jet engines, 255
FF-1 fighter, 205–6
FH-1 Phantom fighters, 241, 245–46
fighter aircraft, 173–74, 204–6, 212–13, 244
Fiske, Bradley, 18–19, 22, 24, 27
FJ-1/FJ-3 Fury fighters, 245–46, 247
Fleet Plan WPPac-46, 41–42
Fleet Problems and joint exercises: air operations during, 97; areas used for, 98, 125n10; aviation’s role in, 94–95; communications relay plane, 100, 125n22; contributions of, 123–24; deficiencies identified during, 39; diversion of fleet during, 96–97, 124–25n5; Exercise M, 109–10; FP I, 97; FP II, 97; FP III, 98; FP IV, 98; FP IX, 100–101, 206; FP V, 98–99; FP VI, 84; FP VII, 88, 99; FP VIII, 100; FP X, 101–3; FP XI, 103; FP XII, 103–4, 126nn28–29; FP XIII, 105–7, 123; FP XIV, 107–9; FP XIX, 116–17, 129nn64–65; FP XV, 109, 126n29; FP XVI, 110–12, 128nn50–51; FP XVII, 112–13; FP XVIII, 113–16, 129n58, 208; FP XX, 117–19, 126–27n22, 129–30nn67–68; FP XXI, 119–23; Grand Joint Exercises, 89, 94, 99, 100, 104–5, 126–27n33; naval force, creation of, 110–23; number held, 93n27; operational methods, doctrine, and tactics development during, 89, 94, 95, 134; phases of, 95
flight-deck cruisers, 175–76, 196n26
Flyer, 8
FM Wildcat aircraft, 210
Forrestal, 243, 258, 289, 322, 332, 333, 335
Forrestal-class carriers, 282, 285, 347–48n9
France, 9, 17, 18, 21, 26, 139, 179, 303
Franklin (CV-13), 142, 151n35, 179
Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42), 143
G
Germany: airships, 43, 45, 46, 154–55; aviation, funding for, 17; Battle of the Atlantic, 308–9; jet aircraft development, 242–43; naval aviation development, 12; number of planes, 26, 307, 320n40; Rainbow Five plan, 41
gold wings, 77n39
Grand Joint Exercises (GJEs), 89, 94, 99, 100, 104–5, 126–27n33
Great Britain, 41, 83, 303. See also Royal Air Force (RAF); Royal Navy
H
H-2 Sea Sprite helicopters, 231, 232, 235, 237
H-3 helicopters, 232
H-3 Sea King helicopters, 231–32, 234, 237
H-16 flying boats, 303
H-21 helicopters, 229
H-34 helicopters, 230
H-46 Sea Knight helicopters, 231, 234, 237, 292
Halsey, William F., 41–42, 73, 113, 158
Hancock (CV-19), 141, 144, 151n35, 287
Hawaii: exercises in waters around, 99, 100, 104–5, 107–8, 110–12, 116–17, 128nn50–51, 129n58, 129n65, 134; shore air facilities in, 137. See also Pearl Harbor
helicopters and rotary-wing aircraft: acceptance of and response to, 221, 222–24; anti-submarine warfare use, 221, 223, 224, 227, 229–30, 231–32, 235, 236, 337, 339; capabilities of, 227–28; changing role for, 236–37, 283; demonstrations of, 220–22, 223–25; design of, 230–34; development of program for, 220–27; flight tests, 225–26, 227; importance of, 237; Korean conflict use of, 230, 233, 276, 313; Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) configuration, 232, 235, 236; LSTs as base for, 230; minesweeping operations, 234, 235, 236; procurement of, 223; rescue operations with, 222–23, 227, 228, 230, 232–34, 236, 237, 281, 313; training of pilots, 224, 227, 228–29; vertical replenishment missions, 234, 235, 281
HH-2C helicopters, 233
HH-3A helicopters, 233
HO4S helicopters, 229
Horne, Frederick J., 38, 76n35, 114, 115–16
Horne Board, 65, 70, 71–72, 76n35
Hornet (CV-8): construction and commissioning of, 137, 143, 176; loss of, 142; Pacific campaign, 310, 343n2; sinking of, 178
Hornet-class carriers, 145–46
HOS-3 helicopters, 228
HRS helicopters, 229
HSS-1 helicopters, 229
HSS-1N Sea Bat helicopters, 230
HUP helicopters, 229
I
Independence-class light carriers, 143, 146, 180, 188
J
Japan: air wing, number of aircraft in, 163–64; aircrew, replacement of, 174–75; airship reconnaissance missions, 46; carrier-building program, 139, 156; China, dominance of by Japan, 31; conflict with, plans for, 134; disarmament conference and treaty, 158–59; Doolittle raid on Tokyo, 189–90, 342n2; number of planes, 307, 320n41; Pearl Harbor attack, 42, 176–77; Rainbow Five plan, 41–42; Russia, defeat of, 31; surrender of, 310–11; War Plan Orange strategy against, 31
jet aircraft: advances in, 3; carrier launching and landing procedures, 254, 257–59; cockpit design and system management, 255–56, 267; crashes and accidents, 241–42, 244–45, 252–53, 255, 260, 261–63, 264–65; design of, 241, 244; development of, 240; development of for carrier use, 242–45, 248–49; downing defective aircraft, 263–64; echelons of, 245–50, 252; ejection seats, 259–60, 276; engine design and performance, 240–41, 253–55; flight controls, 256–57; fuel management, 256; handling characteristics and performance of, 240–41, 245–46, 251–53, 264–67; maintenance of, 260–61; man-made interferences, 255–57; naval aviation culture and transition to, 261–64; night/all-weather operations, 245, 252, 265, 267; nuclear weapons delivery operations, 245, 247; pilot training, 253, 263, 265; seaplanes and flying boats, 250; sorties with, increase in, 282; transition to, 241, 264–67; VTOL aircraft, 251. See also swept-wing jets
Johnson, Lyndon B., 286, 287, 294
Joint Strike Fighter, 249, 251
K
Kearsarge (CV-33), 143
King, Ernest J.: aircraft demonstrations, 17; aircraft for War Plan Orange, 37, 208; airship reconnaisance missions, 46; attack role of aircraft, 38; aviation training, 158; contributions of, 73; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 103, 104, 105–6, 116–17, 126–27n22, 129n65; promotion criteria, 68–69, 78n44; ship construction, rate of, 141
kites and kite-balloons, 9, 10, 13
Korean conflict: American air superiority, 274–75; Battle of Carlson’s Canyon, 280; carrier-based air support, 271–72, 274, 279–80; command arrangement for aviation units, 280; evacuation operations, 270–71, 281; ground forces, fighting by, 273–74; helicopter use during, 230, 233, 276, 281, 283, 313; jet aircraft and carrier operations, 243, 244, 246, 312–13, 320nn52–53, 325, 352; losses during, 313, 320n53; naval air power role in, 273–83, 294; start of, 269–70, 312
L
Landing Signal Officer (LSO), 193n14, 254, 257–58, 334
Langley (CV-1): air show demonstrations, 87–88; air wing, number of aircraft in, 88, 163; air wing, types of aircraft for, 87; capabilities and specifications of, 80; commissioning of, 80, 201, 305, 319n29; conversion to aircraft tender, 129n57; design of, 168; equipment modifications, 84; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 84, 88, 95, 97, 98–100, 101–2, 105, 109, 110–12; flight-deck operations, 85; launching and landing procedures, 83–85; in Pearl Harbor, 96; Reeves as commander, 80, 83; safety record on, 88; ship conversion, 80, 97, 134, 156; Washington Naval Treaty and, 170, 172
Langley, Samuel Pierpont, 6–8
Langley aeronautical laboratory, 21–22
Lexington (CV-2): air wing, number of aircraft in, 88, 169; capabilities of, 38, 80, 89; construction and commissioning of, 98–99, 143, 201, 319n29; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 95, 100, 101–3, 104–6, 107–9, 110–23, 129n64, 199; safety record on, 88; sinking of, 161, 178; specialized air groups, 126–27n22
Lexington (CV-16), 141, 144, 151n35
lighter-than-air craft. See airships
London Treaty, 175
Long Island (CVE-1), 146–47, 186
Los Angeles, 103–4, 106, 126n29
M
MacArthur, Douglas: fleet-based versus land-based aircraft for Navy, 35, 208, 214, 306; Japan, surrender of, 311; Korean conflict, 270, 271, 276, 277, 279; Pacific campaign, 141
Macon, 35, 46, 47, 106, 109, 110, 126n29
Maddox, 286
Mahan, Alfred Thayer, 10, 27, 32, 137, 150n19, 301
Marine Corps, U.S.: close air support, 292–93; demise of and lack of support for, 272–73, 294; independence of, 311; Korean conflict, 276–80; officers in, 73n4; promotion in, 68; roles and missions of, 311–12, 324; Vietnam War, 290
Mars aircraft, 37
Midway: bases at, 40; Battle of Midway, 89, 163–64, 179, 264; exercises in waters around, 110–12; Rainbow Five plan, 41–42
Midway and Midway-class carriers, 180–81, 292, 329–30, 331, 333, 344n6, 347–48n9
Military Flyer, 8–9
missile development, 335–36
Mississippi, 22–23
Moffett, William A.: air attacks against ships, 107; airships, support for use of, 35, 45, 48; bombing, effectiveness of, 203; death of, 35, 48, 131; flight-deck cruisers, 175; as naval aviation observer, 74n13; Naval Aviation Reserve Policy, 61; naval aviation, support for, 131, 306
N
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 22, 27
national aeronautical laboratory, 12, 20–22
Naval Academy: appointments to, 59, 64; enrollment numbers, 60, 61, 62; length of coursework, 65
naval aviation: acceptance of and response to, 10, 54, 80, 131–32, 133–35; accident rate, 262; aircraft development and flight testing, 9, 13–14; airfield for, 14–15; Army aviation, cooperation with, 14–15; birth of, 6, 16; under Bristol, 22–26; Centennial activities, 2; challenges of development of program, 5, 8, 26–28; culture of, 261–64; demise of and lack of support for, 272–73, 294; development of program for, 5, 11–13, 15–16, 18, 19, 302–3, 318n6; effectiveness of, 53, 73, 215, 294, 353–54; fleet-based versus land-based aircraft, 35, 208, 214, 305–7; funding for, 10, 12, 15, 16–17, 18, 24, 26, 28, 305; growth of, 148–49, 152nn53–54, 302–3, 307–8, 319nn37–39; importance of, 1–2, 243, 305; inattention to, 25–26; modernization of, 26; naval control of, 166–67; responsibility and control of program, 11–12, 15–16, 18–19, 25–26; roles and missions of, 2–3, 52–53, 352; shore air facilities and bases and, 38–40, 137, 148, 150n22, 303, 305; standards for, 134–35; technological advances, 3, 315; wartime expansion and peacetime reduction, 54, 59–60, 64–65, 71, 72, 74–75n16, 95–96, 304, 318n16
naval aviation cadets, 62–63, 64, 65, 76n31
Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP), 260, 265
naval aviation observers, 57, 67, 74n13, 83
naval aviation pilots, 57
Naval Aviation Reserve Act, 64
naval aviators: commanding officer qualifications, 135, 158; definition of, 57; flight time, 123, 130n72; helicopter pilot qualifications, 228; hostility toward, 77n39; independence of and self-reliance characteristics, 261–62; insignia for, 77n39; at Pensacola, 55; uniform for, 77n39
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), 61, 65, 71, 75nn26–27
Naval Reserve, U.S.: creation of, 59, 74–75n16; disestablishment of, 61; officers, number of, 59–60, 62–63, 64–65, 75nn19–20, 76n36; pilots for, authorization of, 137, 150n17; reorganization of, 64; training of officers, 63–64, 75n19, 76n34; wartime expansion and peacetime reduction, 59–60, 71, 74–75n16
Naval War College: instructors at, 11, 82–83; presidents of, 80, 90, 91n4, 133; war games and concept generation at, 80, 81–83, 89, 133
Navy, U.S.: Aide System organization, 10, 15–16; aircrew, replacement of, 174–75; air-surface-undersea actions, 110, 128n46, 301; battleships of, capabilities of, 83; Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Fleet, 90, 96, 109; fleet expansion, 10, 148–49; 152nn53–54, 157, 175, 304; fleet expansion, funding for, 135–40, 150n27, 151n29, 151n31; fleet expansion, public support for, 157; Fleet organization, 96; maneuvers with aviation unit, 17; maritime strategy, 327–28, 344n4, 352–53; roles and missions of, 311–12, 318, 324; sea duty requirement, 18, 19, 25, 57, 68–69, 78nn44–45; superiority of, 149, 274
Nimitz, Chester, 17, 81, 141, 149, 158, 311
Nimitz and Nimitz-class carriers, 282, 338, 339
North Carolina (ACR-12/CA-12), 23, 24, 25, 95, 153, 190n2
North Carolina (BB-55), 89, 90–91
nuclear weapons delivery operations, 245, 247, 326
O
officer personnel system: development of, 54, 72–73; Marine officers, 73n4; naval aviation corps, 54–55, 56; number of officers, 58–66, 72, 75nn19–20, 318n16; promotion, 54, 61, 66–72, 73n6, 76–77n38, 77n40, 77n42, 78nn44–45; retirement, 61, 75–76n28; specialization, 54–58; staff corps, 55; structure and components of, 53; transfer of officers, 60, 75n22, 76n36; two-tier system, 66, 76n37
Oriskany (CV-43), 143, 181, 289, 290, 331
P
P-2 Neptune, 290, 313, 314, 329–30
P2Y aircraft, 34, 207, 208, 209
P-3 Orion, 290, 308, 315, 316–17, 321nn71–72, 337
P6M SeaMaster aircraft, 250, 315, 321n67
P-8 Poseidon, 317
PB-1 bombers, 310
PB2Y Coronado aircraft, 37, 209, 310
PB4Y-1 aircraft, 214, 308, 309, 310
PB4Y-2 Privateer aircraft, 214
PBJ Mitchell aircraft, 214
PBJ-1 aircraft, 310
PBM Mariner aircraft, 37, 209, 310
PBY Catalina aircraft, 34, 36–38, 40, 42, 113, 119, 176–77, 208, 215, 250, 309, 310
Pearl Harbor: airship reconnaisance and, 49; attack on, 42, 105, 176–77; base at, 41, 42; battleships lost at, 143, 308; development of, 32; fleet transfer to, 41; investigation of, 91; Langley in, 96; Navy expansion following attack on, 148–49
Pennsylvania, 3, 12–13, 15, 90, 92n26, 153, 302
Pensacola Naval Air Station: aviation unit relocation to, 22–23; bomb runs, 23; establishment of, 22, 137, 200; naval aviators at, 55; training at, 23–24, 228–29, 303; training of, 150n22
Philippine Islands, 31, 32, 33, 35, 41
pilots: aircraft crash injuries and deaths, 19–20, 25, 164, 165, 194n15, 241–42, 244–45; best two percent of humanity, 2, 4n2; confidence of, 2, 4n2; courage of, 3–4; helicopter pilots, training of, 224, 227, 228–29; increase in number of, 137, 147, 150n17; jet pilots, training of, 253, 263, 265; naval aviation pilots, 57; number of for World War II, 308, 320n42; training of, 13, 158, 263, 303, 353
PM aircraft, 209
poem on aviation, 2
Pratt, William V.: Fleet manuevers, participation by, 100, 102; fleet-based versus land-based aircraft for Navy, 35, 208, 214, 306; flight-deck cruisers, 175; Reeves, promotion of, 90
Princeton, 280–81
PV Ventura/Harpoon aircraft, 214
R
RA-5C Vigilante, 266
radar, 174, 182, 189, 215, 256
Rainbow Five plan, 41–42
Randolph (CV-15), 142, 144, 151n35
Ranger (CV-4): construction and commissioning of, 137, 149–50n10; design of, 168–72, 194n18, 195–96nn20–24; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 110–19; launching of, 108–9; size and specifications, 89; speed of, 170, 195n22; Vietnam War, 287, 289
Reeves, Joseph Mason “Bull”: air show demonstrations, 87–88; air wing, types of aircraft for, 87; aircraft for War Plan Orange, 35, 37; carrier and air-strike tactics, development of, 80, 82–83, 85–87, 89; carrier procedures, modification of, 83–85, 162–64; carrier scouting and offensive operations, 99–100; Commander positions, 80, 83, 90; Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Fleet, 90, 109, 110; contributions of, 74n13, 79, 88, 91; death of, 91; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 100, 104, 109, 110; General Board assignment, 90, 92n26; as naval aviation observer, 74n13, 164; naval aviation, support for, 135; Naval War College education and career, 81, 82–83, 162; Pearl Harbor investigation, 91; safety record of aircraft carriers, 88; seaplane tenders, priority of, 39; wartime service, 91
Richardson, Holden C., 16, 17, 19, 23–24, 27, 28
Roosevelt, Franklin: aeronautics board creation, 19; aircraft, funding for, 307; carriers, construction of, 180; Naval Aviation Reserve Act, 64; Navy, support for, 135, 136; Rainbow Five plan, 41; Reeves, promotion of, 90
rotary-wing aircraft. See helicopters and rotary-wing aircraft
Royal Air Force (RAF), 134, 166, 324, 332
Royal Navy: air wing, number of aircraft in, 162, 163–64; aircraft, quality of, 200; aircraft carrier design, 157–58, 160, 183–86, 192–93nn8–9, 332–34; aircraft carriers, role of, 343–44n3; angled flight decks, 258; carrier operations, 154–56, 164, 191–92n6; disarmament conference and treaty, 158–59; funding for, 15; helicopter purchases, 224; naval aviation and the RAF, 166–67; number of planes, 26; optical landing system, 258; seaplane use by, 18, 155; shipboard takeoffs by, 18, 190n2; steam catapults, 258
S
S-2 Tracker aircraft, 262, 332
S-3 Viking aircraft, 237, 262, 315, 338
S-22 helicopters, 229
S-58 helicopters, 230
safety issues and initiatives, 20, 88, 262–64, 265
Saratoga (CV-3): air wing, number of aircraft in, 88, 169; capabilities of, 38, 80, 89; construction and commissioning of, 98–99, 143, 152n54, 201, 319n29; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 95, 100–103, 104–6, 107–9, 110–17, 120–23, 129n64, 199; Fleet Problem participation, 95; landing on, 161; safety record on, 88; specialized air groups, 126–27n22
SB2C Helldiver bomber, 147, 148, 210, 213
SBD Dauntless aircraft, 87, 147, 148, 204
seaplane tenders, 39–40, 172, 303, 305, 318n17
seaplanes and flying boats: acquisition of, 16, 17; advances in, 27–28, 315; attack role of, 37–38, 40–41, 209, 214; bases for, 38–40; decline in use of, 313, 315; development of, 17, 33–34, 200, 208; effectiveness of, 207–8; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 113, 206–7; flexibility of, 302; interest in, 12, 15; jet aircraft, 250; launching and landing procedures, 17–18, 200–201, 206; manufacturing of, 303; Mexican Civil War maneuvers, 23, 95; range of, 37, 208; scouting missions, 33–35, 38, 40–41, 99, 123, 124n4, 176–77, 207; vulnerability of, 38
Selfridge, Thomas, 9
SH-2D/SH-2F helicopters, 235
SH-3A/HSS-2 helicopters, 231
SH-3H helicopters, 236
SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, 235
shipbuilding activities, 141–45, 151n40
ships: air attacks against, 106–7; antiaircraft capabilities, 89, 90–91; catapult to launch aircraft from, 17–18, 23–24, 153; first take-off from, 5; system of ship-type symbols, 156, 185; takeoffs from, 3, 5, 7–8, 12–13, 18, 24, 153; treaty tonnage limits, 158–60, 193n11
short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, 336, 340, 342–43
Sims, William S., 46, 80, 81–82, 91n4, 133, 154, 215
sonar, dunking/dipping, 227, 229, 231–32, 309
swept-wing jets: carrier launching and landing procedures, 257–59; development of, 242–43; handling characteristics, 246–47, 252–53; transition to, 3
T
T3M/T4M torpedo planes, 202–3
TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft, 259
TBD Devastator aircraft, 87, 147, 148, 203
TBF/TBM Avenger bomber, 147, 148, 210
Tentative Conceptual baseline (T-CBL) ships, 339, 349n17
Ticonderoga (CV-14), 142, 151n35, 286
torpedo bombers, 195n23, 201–3, 212, 332
Towers, John: aboard aircraft, 14; aircraft, advances in, 20–21; aircraft, quality of, 200; aircraft carriers, role of, 133; aircraft demonstrations, 17; aircraft for War Plan Orange, 37; aircraft purchases, 25; career of, 28; carrier deck operations, 85; Chambers Board, 19; as Chambers’ replacement, 22; contributions of, 73; contributions to naval aviation, 27; dirigibles, effectiveness of, 24; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 104, 129n64; insignia for naval aviators, 77n39; legislation, role in drafting, 138; Mexican Civil War intervention, 23; pilot training, 13; war observation duties, 23
two-ocean Navy: carriers for, 177–82, 196–97nn27–28; Vinson-Walsh Act, 132, 136, 137–40, 149, 150n27, 151n29, 151n31, 152nn53–54
U
UH-1 Huey, 292
UH-1B helicopters, 234
UH-34 Seahorse, 292
UH-46A Sea Knight helicopters, 234
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, 235
United States, 243, 250, 273, 311, 312, 324, 325, 332, 348n11
Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS), 249–50, 341
V
Valley Forge, 271, 274, 275, 277–78
vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, 251, 336, 338–39, 340, 342, 349n15
Vietnam War: anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire, 287, 291; close air support, 292–93; end of U.S. involvement in, 293; Flaming Dart operations, 287–88; Game Warden operation, 290–91; Gulf of Tonkin incident, 286–87, 314; helicopter use during, 232–34, 284; jet aircraft and carrier operations, 243, 314–15, 326, 352; Linebacker II operation, 293; Market Time operation, 290–91, 314; naval air power role in, 284–93; Rolling Thunder campaign, 288–89, 292, 293; start of, 283–84; surface-to-air (SAM) missiles, 291–92; Vietnamization strategy, 293
Vinson, Carl, 131–32, 135–40, 149
Vinson-Trammel Acts, 35, 136–37, 141–42, 151n40, 175–76, 196n25
Vinson-Walsh Act (Two-Ocean Navy Act), 132, 136, 137–40, 149, 150n27, 151n29, 151n31, 152nn53–54
VP aircraft and VProns, 33–34, 35, 38–42
W
war: containment policy of U.S., 293–94; fleet and force expansion, 54, 59–60, 64–65, 71, 72, 74–75n16, 95–96, 272, 273, 304, 318n16; naval warfare, evolution of, 301, 318n3; naval warfare, technology and, 301–2; strategy for, 283. See also anti-submarine warfare
War Plan Orange: aircraft range and, 31, 33–35, 37; bases for aircraft, 38–40; cautionaries, 32–33; color plans for war, 42n1; development of, 31; fleet to carry out, 143–44, 149, 160; geographic dilemma, 31; PBY Catalina aircraft, 34, 36–38, 40, 42, 208; phases of war, 31–33; strategic themes, 31; thrusters, 32, 33; VP aircraft and VProns, 33–34, 35, 38–42
Washington Naval Treaty, 158–61, 166, 167–75, 193nn10–11, 194n17, 194n19, 196n25
Wasp (CV-7), 109, 137, 143, 172, 178, 195n22
wings of gold, 77n39
World War I: aircraft built and used during, 154, 190n3, 200; Navy’s role in, 304, 318n16; wartime expansion and peacetime reduction, 95–96, 304, 318n16
World War II: air-to-air combat, 210; Battle of the Atlantic, 308–9; carrier aviation, role of, 53; carrier operations, 182–83; Central Pacific campaign, 143–45, 149; Fleet Plan WPPac-46, 41–42; Lend-Lease Act, 91; multi-front war capabilities, 139; naval aviation buildup for, 308–9, 319nn37–39; Navy expansion during, 64–65; number of pilots for, 308, 320n42; Pacific campaign, 309–11, 351–52; Rainbow Five plan, 41–42; tactics for, development of, 81; V-J Day, 310–11
Wright, Orville, 8–9, 13–14, 16
Wright, Wilbur, 8–9, 13–14, 16
X
XF2Y-1 Sea Dart, 250, 315, 321n68
XFY-1 Pogo, 251
XR-4 helicopters, 220, 221, 224–25, 226
Y
Yorktown (CV-5): Battle of Midway, 89, 142, 179; construction and commissioning of, 109, 129n57, 135, 143, 171; design of, 171; Fleet manuevers, participation by, 117–19, 120–23, 130n68, 226; sinking of, 89, 142, 172, 174, 178