The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-12-29
BIG NAVAL MANEUvERS
 OF ALASKA
Kodiak Island io Be "Af-. ialked" Fleet of 34 Ves-
 seIs 10 Be Engaged

! TERMINAL ISLAND NAVY BASE. Calf, Dec. 29.-tR-- Int biggest naval operations in Alaska waters since the Japanese were driven out of the Alautians will take l8,000 sailors and marines north scon.
 Kcdiak Island will be attacked" in extensive amphibious "invas- ion" activities.
 A fleet of 34 vessels, Rear Adm. L. T. DuBose announced yesterday, will launch an assault on the island, the site of the Navy's north ernmost Pacific base. Vessels of almost every Navy type. plus l6.- 900 sailors. 2,000 marines and 120- carrierbased aircraft, including four jets, will take part.
 North January F
 The first units of the fleet will leave San Diego January IT for operations against Kodiak Island oSilS tAiflC III TtDl udl y. i Defending the island will be Army, Air Force and Naval units directed by Read Adm A. r. Mont gomery, commanding the Alaska Sea Frontier.
 Not only clothing. but scores of ether items--such as oil. engines and de-icing gear--as well as food and personnel will be tested.
 This is not major naval prob lem Adm. DuBose told a press conference here yesterday. Tt is an exercise to test men in cold. wet weather and rotten condi- tions."
 He said cold weather clothing, sufficiently light and flexible to permit it's wearers to work and move about easily. is one of the chief objectives.
 Vessels In Maneuvcrs
 Vessels involved will range from the big Essex-type carrier Boxer, the cruiser Duluth, the command ship Mt. Mckinley and the sea- plane tender Curtis, flagship for the operation, down to a subma- rine, landing craft of various types and a small LSMR rocket ship.
 The entire force is due back in San Francisco Bay about March l, where another theoretical at tack is scheduled against forces headed hy Vice Adm. George D. Murray, commanding the Western Sea Frontier.
 Admiral DuBose said every bur- eau in the Navy Department and every Command has been offered an opportunity to test materiel and personnel problems under the icy conditions to be encountered dur ing the month-long maneuvers He listed especially cold weather cloth- ing, food, survival and oil and en- zine problems.
 Marines Coming
 The first group of marines from the First Marine Division, Camp Pcndleton, Calf, departs Jan 20. Main units of the fleet including the cruiser Duluth, the carrier Boxer, the Mt. Mckinley, a com- mand ship and the seaplane tend CT Curtis, which will serve as flagship, will leave about Feb. l.
 In charge of Alaska defenses will be Rear Adm. A. k. Montgomery. commanding the Alaskan Sea From tier When the fleet returns about March l, a theoretical attack will be made in the San Francisco Bay area, where defenses will be com- manded by Vice Admiral George Murray, commander of the Western Sea Frontier.
 Admiral DuBose, as commander Of the First Task Fleet. is setting up the maneuvers but will be suc- ceeded on January by Vice Adm. G. F. Began, now commander of Atlantic Fleet Airforce
 DuBose said the maneuvers will in a sense last years Byrd expeditions to the South Pole. but will use many newer de- in various fields. Among the equipment to be tested are four jet fighters, North American FJ-iS. to be placed aboard the Boxer.
 The Admiral said at least one of each type Of navy vessel will be included in the fleet to "ade- quately cover all of the desired