1971-Continued

3 August Pilots of VMA-142, -131 and -133 began

qualification landings in A-4Ls aboard Independence.

During a three-day period, four active duty and 20

reserve pilots operated aboard the carrier. This was

the first time that Marine Air Reserve squadrons quali-

fied in carrier duty.

26 August VAW-124 flew the carrier-based early warn-

ing E-2B nonstop across the Atlantic. The Hawkeye left

NAS Norfolk, Va., flew over Newfoundland, Canada, and

Lajes, Azores, to reach America which was deployed to

the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.

31 August During the month, dual carrier opera-

tions were conducted only during the first week; and,

as of the 16th, Enterprise filled in the remainder of the

month alone on station. Thus, a total of 8 two-carrier

days and 23 single-carrier days represented a near

reversal of July's carrier mix, producing a strike sortie

count for the month of 1,915.

30 September Single carrier operations on Yankee

Station were conducted throughout the month, except

for one two-carrier day. The schedule had Enterprise

flying the first four days, Oriskany the middle of the

month and Midway completing the last four days. The

single carrier posture, combined with the low intend-

ed sortie rate, produced 1,243 strike sorties during the

month. Oriskany flyers participated in a joint

USAF/USN protective reaction strike in southern NVN

on 21 September.

5 October HC-4 at NAS Lakehurst, N.J., accepted its

first SH-2D LAMPS helicopter, making it the first fleet

operating unit to use the new LAMPS configured

Seasprite. One week later at NAS Imperial Beach,

Calif. HC-5 became the first West Coast-based heli-

copter squadron to receive the new Seasprite.

8 October About one hundred officers and men of

the Mobile Mine Countermeasure Command and four

CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters were airlifted from

Norfolk, Va., and Charleston, S.c., to the Sixth Fleet at

Souda Bay, Crete, by C-5s of the 437th Military Airlift

Wing in a demonstration of the world-wide quick

reaction mine countermeasures capability. A detach-

ment of four CH-53As from HM-12 recorded the first

overseas deployment of the new helicopter. The

detachment began sweeping operations upon arrival

at Souda Bay. From 2 to 7 November the squadron

participated in the first integration of airborne

minesweeping operations into an amphibious assault

exercise, conducted from Coronado (LPD 11).

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

287

29 October HS-15, the first sea control ship

squadron, was established at NAS Lakehurst, N.J. The

squadron was devised tactically to protect convoys

and vessels not operating with or within the protective

range of carriers. Tests along these lines were con-

ducted subsequently aboard Guam utilizing the SH-3H

Sea King helicopters of HS-15 and Marine Corps A V -8A

Harriers of VMA-513. Tests included V/STOL and helo

compatibility, antisnooper and anti surface tactics, bow

and cross axial landings, night operations and ship-

board control of airborne intercepts.

31 October On Yankee Station during the month,

single carrier operations were conducted except for

the last day. Midway completed her final line period

10 October, with Enterprise taking over the next day

for the remainder of the month. Oriskany joined the

last day, and together the three carriers recorded a

total of 1,024 ordnance-delivering strike sorties, 30 of

them in SVN, the remainder in Laos. The air warfare

posture in NVN was altered 20 October through the

deployment of six MiG aircraft south of 20° N-two

each at Vinh, Quan Lang and Bai Thuong.

8 November The jet-powered S-3A, the Navy's

newest antisubmarine warfare aircraft, made its official

roll-out at Lockheed's Burbank California facility.

Christened the Viking, the aircraft was designed to

replace the aging S-2 Tracker.

17 November The Office of the Assistant Secretary

of Defense reported that the Navy had been designat-

ed the lead service in making aircraft ready for use in

Project Grass Catcher-the interception of drug smug-

glers. During January and February 1972, four OV-lOs

were loaned to the Bureau of Customs.

30 November Preliminary evaluation of the F-14A

was conducted at Grumman's Calverton, N.Y., facility

by a team from NATC Patuxent River, Md. The Tomcat

was designed for all fighter missions, including air-to-

air combat and fleet defense.

30 November Alternating on Yankee Station,

Oriskany, Constellation and Enterprise provided 22

two-carrier days on the line, delivering 1,766 ord-

nance-bearing strike sorties, twelve and nine of them

into NVN and SVN, respectively. Two reconnaissance

missions were flown during the month, with the air-

field at Vinh the mission assignment. Escort aircraft on

both missions expended ordnance in a protective

reaction role against firing antiaircraft artillery sites

near the field. Other protective reaction strikes were

executed.