This dispatch to USS Alameda County (AVB- 1) sets in motion the temporary establishment of a naval air station in a remote location. The Navy’s only Advanced Aviation Base Ship, Alameda County, is to a land-based antisubmarine patrol squadron what the carrier is to an embarked air group.
The concept of the AVB has grown into a packaged unit capable of supporting one or more land-based patrol squadrons, operating in a forward area, wherein the Navy’s sole capital investment is perhaps a share of runway construction through NATO Infrastructure funding. In these austere times, we cannot afford the luxury of establishing air stations throughout the areas of fleet operations. When the fleet moves toward its objective and beyond the economical range of a land- based patrol squadron, a new advanced base air station must be established. The antisubmarine warfare support provided by patrol squadrons must move forward with the fleet.
The requirements of sea power to have adequate antisubmarine protection when operating within range of land masses and the protection of shipping transiting enclosed waters, or approaching ports, has been a mandatory facet of naval planning. Long range protection against the submarine threat is best provided by patrol aircraft capable of covering large areas and achieving the greatest search potential. These aircraft must operate from a land air station close to their area of operation.
For some time, in our cold war situation, requirement has existed for a mobile facility which utilized a minimum amount of surface and air lift, which could be in operation within a few hours after arrival, was compact with sufficient but minimum equipment, could be prepared for deployment within a short period of time, and would not depend on replenishment of items other than fuel and food. The unit still had to meet the operational requirements of an advanced base air station in a forward area.
These requirements have been met by the Advanced Aviation Base Ship, the AVB. Within the converted hull of an LST we now find all the equipment necessary to establish and operate an advanced aviation base. The AVB carries over 43 items of rolling stock which include a fire and crash truck, a field ambulance, a mobile airfield control tower, a low frequency homer trailer, a mobile aero- logical facility, and ordnance handling vehicles. Aircraft work stands, selected heavy load vehicles, aircraft starting units (mobile electric power plants), floodlight trailers, and a mobile automotive machine shop are also aboard. In addition, there are cots, bedding, field galley equipment, a limited supply of aviation gasoline and oil, portable runway lights, and a host of other mobile and portable pieces of equipment. The vessel is not a supply or maintenance activity and squadrons utilizing its facilities must come prepared with “pack-up” kits and personnel to meet their own maintenance and aircraft parts requirements. Aviation fuel and oils would be provided by the AVB and augmented by a fleet tanker.
Given an available aircraft landing field with some aircraft parking facilities, and located within a reasonable distance from a port or beach landing site, the Advanced Aviation Base Ship is in business and ready to operate. As a matter of interest, Alameda County has supported an Advanced Base Airfield from a harbor located 17 miles away.
Through our NATO alliances, the U. S. Navy has been given the use of a number of airfields, designated NATO Maritime Airfields, strategically located in various sections of the Mediterranean. These airfields have minimum facilities, if any at all, to provide support for a U. S. Navy patrol plane squadron, and provisions are generally made at these airfields to provide parking aprons or hardstands and an area on which to erect a tent city. Some locations are better equipped than others in that hangar space, mess halls, barracks space, and fuel storage can be made available. However, the AVB can operate without shore support facilities other than a runway and parking area, if necessary.
A typical operation finds the AVB beaching near the airfield location, or if pier space is available, going “bow-to.” The airfield vehicles, preloaded with support equipment, disembark through the bow doors, and the tank deck is cleared. Ships company immediately converts the tank deck space into a large barracks capable of housing up to 300 officers and men. A squadron office and pilots’ briefing/ready room is made available and all hands aboard await the arrival of the assigned patrol squadron. The squadron will be housed and fed aboard and transported regularly to the field in order to conduct flight operations.
Meanwhile the Advance Aviation Base Division is en route to the airfield. Radio communications is established with the vessel upon arrival at the field and a well trained and experienced group of personnel commence the establishment of a naval air station. The airfield tower is erected or lines are connected to the existing structure and air controlmen take their stations prepared to operate on a 24-hour basis. If the field does not have a runway lighting system, a portable unit is set up on the primary runway. Refueling trucks, previously filled from available fuel supplies, take their stations awaiting the first planes requiring gas and oil. Crash equipment and an ambulance stand by the duty runway, and a field medical dispensary is established by the assigned flight surgeon. Mess hall tables and field kitchen equipment are set up in the first large tent to be erected. Water trailers arrive with potable water distilled in the ship’s evaporators. Within minutes of an aircraft arrival, hot food prepared aboard the ship and delivered in vacuum cans is ready for the incoming flight crews. A branch overseas air cargo terminal is established and the AVB’s mailman sets up an advanced base fleet post office. Aircraft maintenance vans, starting units, floodlight trailers, work stands, aerological vans, ordnance equipment, and ordnance, and other required material and facilities are located on the airfield. A field telephone system is strung between all important points on the airfield and sometimes run down to the location of the AVB. Aboard the ship, special circuits are activated to provide communication support and the field is on a “hot line” radio circuit for unclassified messages. The airfield and the ship are now ready to operate.
Within a few hours after arrival, a message goes out to all interested activities: “ADVANCED AVIATION BASE AT LOCATION X-RAY ACTIVATED.” Anticipating this message, the airlifted squadron maintenance augmenting personnel are already en route. Fleet mail, cargo, and passengers arrive via R4D, R5D, and R4Q-type aircraft. Their loads are sorted and redispatched via the TF (COD) detachment aircraft that are also based at this forward station. The patrol plane squadron arrives and commences its flight operations to provide ASW support to the fleet. The U. S. Navy has established a forward area “air head” within striking distance of the fleet operating location.
During the Suez and Lebanon crises, in 1956 and 1958, the AVB provided a valuable air head at Souda Bay Maritime Airfield in Crete. Fleet mail, cargo, and passengers were routed through this advanced base and were delivered on board in a minimum amount of time to the operating carriers and other ships. Long range support from the continental United States was expedited through this forward area air station. United Nations aircraft and personnel shuttled through Souda Bay constantly during Suez. This crisis proved that the mobility of such a concept and its inexpensive operation can provide the naval air arm with many widely scattered air stations on a part-time, when- needed, basis. There is no requirement to keep personnel or equipment at these air stations when they are not in use.
The future of this concept seems bright. The AVB-2 is being streamlined today and is scheduled to join the fleet in the near future. As each improved version comes into being, we can expect newer innovations, greater versatility, and more service to the fleet.
As an operation draws to a close, the aircraft depart, vehicles and equipment return aboard the AVB, the ship retracts from the beach, and the Advanced Aviation Base Ship is ready to follow the fleet in order to establish a new naval air station at another location. A final message is sent which brings to a close this operation:
“ADVANCED AVIATION BASE LOCATION X-RAY DEACTIVATED. AWAITING FURTHER ORDERS.”