The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-07-31

 the U. S. s. Wright, U. s. S. Swan, U.- s. s. Sandpiper, U. s: s. Aveeet and two squadrons are op- erating in Alaskan waters this summer 3al eAss
 One important element in the operations is that they be entirely self supporting The surface ves- sells carry gasoline, plane and en- zine parts sufficient for the dura- ton of the cruise bsnsfai 3e'i'ass'.s
 Aircraft Operations F's
 Last September Admiral Johnson went with the Wright to the west coast of Costa Rica where he was met with four squadrons of planes and two tenders from the Canal zcne area. The planes operated there under adverse weather con- ditions for two weeks. One of these squadrons, Patrol Squadron Ten, was then flown to San Diego, from Panama, and in Jaf1uary Of this year made a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Honolulu. The flagship, which had been act ing as a plane guard during this flight, arrived in Honolulu two days after the arrival of the planes and for the next three weeks held extensive exercises with the squad rons there, including the one which had just arrived. In the early part of April three squadfons were flown from San Diego to Panama, accompanied by the U. B: s. Wright and Avocet as tenders and partil cipated with the Fleet in the man. euvers held durin g it's cruise south. s2dTcitg, augmented @S tns
 From the Canal Zone these three squadrons, augmented by the three stationed in those waters, made mass flight to Cuba, the first of it's kind ever having been made over that route. These and the tenders then took part in the Fleet Exercises around Cuba, Porto Rico, and FIai- ti, in the Caribbean Sea. One squadron then flew to Hampton Roads, Virginia, to operate with the Fleet in the Atlantic, the re- units returning to Panama 1n the 18th of May. : sf
 Patrol Squadrons Seven and Nine, which had left San Diego m April and had been operating since then, were flown back to San Diego and are still going. Prior to taking off for the flight, they had completed over 10000 nautical miles since ast April. o
 Alaska Flight tHsgf
 Flying these twelve planes tol Alaskan waters and operating tl1effi here for two months independent ,f any other source of supply than s afforded by the surface vessels of the force, requires greatI amount of preparation and fore thought. es@ %a IF IT
 First the planes limitations must be considered, how far they ,an fly without any risk of loss ,f life or government property. The movements of the surface craft must be coordinated with the Tights of the planes in order that proper plane guard be established md that tender be at the desL Bination of the planes. The base lender, as the last one Is terfneu, must first lay noerings to which the planes secure after they have landed on the water. @
 Tenders Busy Unit
 Once the planes have landed the lenders become the busy unit of the force. Boats have already Been sent out with relief crews Ty watch the planes and make any minor repairs which may be neeessarx The flight crews are thefi trai1sl ported to the tenders for food and rest. These boats then Garry out lubricatihg oil and gasoline to re- fuel the planes, and act as patrol vessels during the night to insure the safety of the planes. aocasss.s
 The smaller tenders are limited as to amount of fuel, foodstuffs. spare parts,p etc., they dai4 carry, so it essential in prepafing tic force schedule to 50 arrange the itinery of the surface vessels that the smaller tenders will contact the Wright in sufficient time to tel plenish their stocks. e.es. oS.aF'i
 In case a plane be damaged ifl flight, it can be foisted aboard any of the tenders. One can be carried on the smaller tenders and the Wright is able to carry several. On board the Wright iii addition to her large cold storage s plant and other storage facilities, are machine and structural shops with facilities for making major repairs to planes. BY iss1asti
 Officers ofi U s. g. Wfikht
 The following officers are aboard the U. S. s. Wright, which carries a total personnel of approximately 400. a1ne ies f.sas
 Captain A. c. Read, CofnmafiEs ing; Commander H. c. Wick, Exc cutive Officer; Lieut.. Commander D. M Carpenter, Navigator. Lieut. Commander c. G. Ha1pine; Air Of-