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A LOOK FROM THE 'ENEMY'S' ANGLE

HOW THE "enemy sees it" can be illuminating. Looking at Anti-Submarine Warfare from an unaccustomed point of view was the experience of the Commanding Officer of Anti-Submarine Squadron 29, Cdr. James T. Bitting, and LCdr. Robert E. Thomas, Commanding Officer of the submarine, USS Remora.

The Commanding Officers of two "opposing commands" decided to get a closer look at the "enemy" in action. Each assumes the role of the "enemy" only in training, for actual operations they are well coordinated parts of a combined ASW force in the San Diego area.

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THOMAS GIVES BITING SCOPE BRIEFING

The skippers declared a truce during day and night exercises, so that they might get a first-hand observation of their opponent in action. Cdr. Bitting was invited aboard the Remora for a day's visit, and LCdr. Thomas donned flight gear for an aerial view of anti-submarine operations. This opportunity for the exchange of visits occurred when the USS Remora, attached to Submarine Flotilla One, and VS-29, a squadron of CVSG-53, were assigned operations together during training exercises. Both units were undergoing intensive training periods in preparation for future deployments.

Cdr. Bitting's visit to the Remora included a complete tour of the ship, inspection of the radar and ECM used for aircraft detection and tracking, and a demonstration of the maneuvers and equipment used during evasive tactics. During part of his trip, Cdr. Bitting had the chance to observe his squadron S2F aircraft through the periscope.

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COMMANDERS INSPECT S2F ASW GEAR

At NAS NORTH ISLAND, LCdr. Thomas inspected the S2F aircraft and its various types of airborne detection equipment. He participated as a crew member in a regular squadron MAD tactics training flight which demonstrated the precise coordination required between aircraft for low-level hold down tactics.

VS-29 anti-submarine pilots had been training with the Remora in flights that included searchlight illumination, MAD tracking and hold down, sonobuoy patterns and other advanced ASW tactics. The Remora had also been the opponent during combined hunter-killer operations when VS-29 worked with surface units and anti-submarine helicopters.

Both commanding officers agreed that future exchanges s of this type are not only desirable but highly necessary for all units which are involved in anti-submarine warfare.

Pre-flight Record is Broken
Marine Registers a Perfect Score

For the first time in history of the Pre-flight program at Pensacola, a student has earned a perfect score on the outgoing physical fitness appraisal test.

Marine 2nd Lt. G. F. Robert Hanke, a member of Yale's 1959 Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming championship team, earned the maximum 88 points, breaking a 2 1/2 year record of 87 points.
The test consists of jump reach, sit-ups, speed agility, chinning and an endurance run. Jump reach is a measure of explosive power, the ability of the body to develop power relative to the weight of an individual.

Sit-ups measure abdominal muscles' ability to perform strenuous exercise and to endure extended periods of physical strain. Speed agility measures large muscle coordination.

The candidate jumps over two hurdles, picks up a wood block, dodges a post, deposits the block in a box, scales or vaults a sex-foot wall, dodges a second post, picks up a block, then sprints and deposits the block.

Chinning, a familiar exercise, measures arm and shoulder strength.

The endurance run measures general physical fitness. A man runs four minutes, walks four, then repeats both.

After earning maximum scores on all these, Lt. Hanke broke the over-all swimming and physical fitness record.

Helo Pilot Creams Course
Named Top Neptune Pilot by VP-30

Lt. E. M. Stone, a replacement pilot in Patrol Squadron 30, won the "outstanding pilot" award of his class by posting better than average marks in familiarization, instrument navigation, and tactical phases of the training syllabus, as well as scoring high in written tests.

Two months earlier, the former helicopter pilot had never seen the inside of a P2V Neptune.

On graduation from the Replacement Training Squadron, Lt. Stone was assigned to Norfolk's VP-24.

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500TH CARRIER LANDING by LCdr. W.T. Zebrowski (c) aboard USS Essex earns congratulations from Capt. S.S. Searcy, ship C.O., and Cdr. M.C. Griffin, C.O. of VA-32. Of his 500 carrier landings, 230 have been in A4D's.

NAVAL AVIATION NEWS