the probable position of a smuggler base from known contacts and intercepted communications traffic. Basically we combine the functions of a colonial scientific extension ship with those of a naval intelligence field station.
Scientific services is a multi-service office. We use Navy researchers, Marine intelligence analysts, Space Service scout pilots and engineers and techs from all services. We have a current complement of 81, working towards a planned full complement of 120. We serve under the direct command of the Captain, and I act as Chief Operations Officer.
There’s no job too big or too small for the Science Division Office!
When the newsletter staff first suggested I write up a guide to the fighters of the Midway and their missions, I of course replied, “Go away, Lieutenant, I have real work to do.” However, when the CAG later came forward with the same suggestion, I reconsidered my position. All I have to say is that if I have to write this, all of you had better know it if it should happen to come up in conversation (and it will).
Back during the war, fighters were designed to be as diversified as possible. Some were lighter, some were heavier, some carried torpedoes and some didn’t, a few could jump, but all of them were basically expected to fly against any target they were assigned – another fighter, an installation or a cap ship, in both offensive and defensive capacities.
Today, freed from the often desperate measures of wartime, we are moving towards a more specialised philosophy of ship design. Fighters are fighters, bombers are bombers and interceptors are interceptors. We don’t expect one
