1945-Contin ued

replacing the previous Class designation VK. Classes

A, G and S within the type were assigned for pilotless

aircraft intended for attack against aircraft, ground tar-

gets, and ships respectively.

29 October The Committee to Evaluate the

Feasibility of Space Rocketry recommended that

detailed studies be made to determine the feasibility of

an Earth Satellite Vehicle. This led the Bureau of

Aeronautics to issue contracts to one university and

three companies for theoretical study, and preliminary

design of a launch vehicle and for determining by

actual test the specific impulse of high energy fuels

including liquid hydrogen-oxygen.

1 November The Naval Air Training Command was

reorganized with headquarters at NAS Pensacola, Fla.,

and the following subordinate commands: Naval Air

Advanced Training, Naval Air Basic Training, Naval Air

Technical Training, and a newly formed Naval Air

Reserve Training. By this change the titles Naval Air

Operational Training and Naval Air Intermediate

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

155

Training ceased to exist and the facilities of the former

Naval Air Primary Training Command were incorporated

into Basic Training or absorbed by the Reserve Program.

5 November Ensign Jake C. West, with VF-41

embarked on Wake Island for carrier qualifications

with the FR- I, lost power on the forward radial

engine of his FR-I shortly after take-off, forcing him

to start his aft jet engine. He returned to the ship and

made a successful landing, the first jet landing aboard

a carner.

29 November The Special Weapons Test and

Tactical Evaluation Unit was redesignated Pilotless

Aircraft Unit and in the next month was transferred to

MCAS Mojave, Calif., and directed to operate detach-

ments at NAF Point Mugu, Calif., as necessary.

1 December Fleet Air Wing 6 was disestablished at

NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

28 December The president directed that the Coast

Guard be transferred from the Navy and returned to

the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department.

Marine fighters on Henderson Field. This airbase was vitally important during the Guadalcanal Campaign 45345