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LETTERS
Sirs:
The skipper and members of the VA-146 Blue Diamonds rejoiced at the obvious good taste of the editors for their selection for the inside back cover of Naval Aviation News, April 1961 [VA-146]. However, the skipper was the least enthusiastic of this proud group, probably because he goes by the handle of J. R. Faulk vice J. S. Saulk.
B. D. Woods
PIO, VA-146

Sirs:
In your April issue of Naval Aviation News you have a picture on page 14 of the USS Hancock with a caption reading "Note the LCVP's in tug roles."
Having gone ashore in a liberty party many times in LCVP's I can assure you that they sure don't look like the ones that you have pictured! True, the ones pictured may have been altered slightly but even an airdale can tell an LCVP from an LCM.
R. N. Oberholzer, AT2
Tacron 13

Improved Radars Ordered VF, VA, ASF, AEW, Craft Benefit
Three Navy contracts have been awarded for airborne and ground support radar and electronics equipment,
From Texas Instruments will come AN/APS-88 radar, to be installed in carrier-based patrol planes. Lighter and more compact than previous, similar systems, the -88 will be used for ASW, weather warning, and general purpose search.
It includes a plan position indicator which provides a visual display of the targets, sonobuoy beacon replies, and IFF replies. It also can be used to map the extent of storm fronts and to detect land features such as mountains, islands, and coast lines.
Collins Radio Company is providing two items: a communication, navigation, identification system for use aboard jet aircraft, and ground support equipment for the airborne equipment. Called CNI, the system provides the pilot with ultra-high frequency radio communication, electronic navigation aids, and equipment for identifying the plane to friendly tactical control units.
CNI systems will be aboard the F4H-1 Phantom II fighter, the A3J Vigilante attack bomber and the A2F-1 Intruder low-level attack bomber.

Gunnery Record Shattered Ens. Rogers Hits 77% at Whiting
An ensign going through flight training has registered the highest gunnery score ever recorded by an instructor or a student, according to VT-3.
Ens. William Rogers, Jr., scored 54 hits out of 70 rounds of ammunition for an unprecedented 77 per cent.
The record he beat was established by his VT-3 instructor, Lt. J. Loeb.

Memphis Milestone Noted GCA Unit #27 Logs 65,000th Pass
GCA Unit #27 at NAS Memphis has completed its 65,000th ground controlled approach since commissioning. The memorable pass was flown by Safety Officer, Cdr. Paul C. Carolali in a T2V jet. GCA Director was R. Nebeling, AC1, and GCA Controller was J. G. Dominick, ACCA.

VF-142 Makes 7 Records Set on Yuma Weapons Deployment
VF-142, composed of the Fighting Falcons who fly FSU-2 Crusaders, lays claim to several records during a weapon deployment at MCAAS Yuma, Ariz. The squadron submits this accounting:
1. Highest score on one banner at 20,000 feet: Ltjg. Mac Lupfer - 65 hits for 140 rounds or 46 per cent.
2. Highest score on one banner at 30,000 feet: Ltjg. Mike Denham - 41 hits for 140 rounds or 29 per cent.
3. Highest over-all average at 30,000 feet: Ltjg. Mike Denham - 104 hits for 500 rounds or 20.8 per cent.
4. Highest percentage on one banner: 156 Hits for 907 rounds or 17.2 per cent. The sharpshooters were Cdr. Jock Stetson, LCdr. Al Williams, LCol. Jillinshy, Lt. John Holm, Ltjgs. Mac Lupper, Tony Longo and Bruce Craig.
5. Greatest number of E winners: Ltjg. Mike Denham (2), LCdr. A. L. Williams, Lts. John Holm and Bob Loomis, and Ltjg. Tom Scott.
6. 16,296 rounds fired for a total of 1327 hits or a squadron average of 8.3 per cent at 20,000 feet.
7. 7400 rounds fired for a total of 477 hits or a squadron average of 6.4 per cent at 30,000 feet.
In conclusion, the report states, "The world famous Fighting Falcons now hold the coveted AirPac 'E' and are striving to retain it."
Skipper is Commander J. B. Stetson.

Pacific Barrier Squadron Reports 53,000 Hours First Year
Airborne Early Warning Barrier Squadron Pacific, formed to conduct all Pacific barrier operations after the decommissioning of VW-12, VW-14, and VW-16, has racked up some Impressive statistics on its first year as a consolidated activity.
The squadron has completed more than 805 circuits of the barrier between Midway Island and the Aleutians. Each squadron Lockheed WV-2 "Warning Star" Super Constellation has averaged 150 hours per month for a squadron total of 53,000 hours.
Consumption of "a record amount of in-flight food" has been recorded.

Randolph Launches S2F-3 AD-5W Replaced in ASW by WF-2
The first S2F-3 Tracker and the last AD-5W Skyraider were catapulted from the decks of USS Randolph as the ASW carrier lay at anchor in Hampton Toads. The Randolph has completed six months availability in the Navy yard.
The S2F-3 was flown by Lt. Charles Berthe and Ltjg. Chet Nagle of VS-26; the AD-5W by Lt. Gary O. Cooper and flight crewman B. G. Brown, AM1.
Grumman WF-2's are replacing the AD-5W's in anti-submarine work, as improved Trackers replace S2F-1's

NAO(C) Logs 4500 Hours Believed Tops for WV-2 Non-Pilots
Ltjg. Junior C Sturm has just completed 4500 flight hours. Sturm, an NAO(C) - Naval Aviation Observer (Controller) - has logged all this time in WV-2 Constellations since November 1955.
Airborne Early Warning Barrier Squadron Pacific personnel believe Sturm's total to be the most hours ever logged by a non-pilot in WV-2's.
Sturm began flying with the Atlantic barrier forces when he was an Aviation Chief Electrician's Mate. After 1200 flight hours he was commissioned Ensign, and ordered to Combat Information Center School at Glynco, Ga.
On completing the CIC course, Sturm was assigned to the Pacific Barrier forces in May 1958.
He now flies as officer-in-charge of the airborne CIC in the squadron's WV-2 aircraft. Sturm has completed 250 Pacific Barrier flights between Midway Island and the Aleutian chain.

40 NAVAL AVIATION NEWS