New CIC on the Oriskany

I'm so excited that I was able to purchase this original photo from the USS Oriskany a few weeks ago on eBay. The photo is a black & white 8" x 10" of the Oriskany's new modular CIC. It was an incredible find for me because my dad was a radarman in CIC during his time on the "Mighty O." Below is the descriptive caption as printed on the back of the photo.

USN 710749
MODULAR CIC ADDED TO CONVERTED CARRIER USS ORISKANY (CVA-34)

The USS Oriskany (CVA-34), one of the latest attack carriers converted for modern air-sea warfare, has joined the Seventh Fleet for a seven month operational tour in the western Pacific. Following a 30-month conversion period at San Francisco Naval Shipyard and shakedown training out of San Diego, Oriskany sailed for the far east with a number of new features. In addition to such attack carrier modernizations as an angled deck, steam catapults, hurricane bow, and landing mirror, she was equipped with the prototype "Modular Combat Information Center." USS Oriskany also is the first attack aircraft carrier to have the entire after part of the flight deck made of extruded aluminum planking, rather than of the conventional wood planking.

The new Combat Information Center, called "Modular CIC," has been enlarged and subdivided into "Modules" or glassed-off sections, grouped about a central control area called "Display and Decision." Each Module is organized to perform one of a carrier CIC's essential functions: Air Operations, Air Control, Surface Operations, Electronic Counter-Measures, Detection and Tracking, Carrier Controlled Approach (CCA), and Weapons Control. The Modular CIC concept, having been proven successful, has been installed in the USS Coral Sea and is being installed in all carriers under construction at the present time.

OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH
RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
JULY 8, 1960

"Over The Beach" by Zalin Grant

A few months back I had the pleasure of reading Zalin Grant's "Over The Beach." This book is an account of an F-8 Fighter Squadron VF-162 from the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany during the Vietnam War. If you are interested in the air war in Vietnam or specifically the USS Oriskany, then this book is a must read for you! The paperback edition which is currently available came out in 2005 and you can generally pick it up for about $11. The book follows the pilots of VF-162 on their way to targets in North and South Vietnam. And while the squadron was incredibly successful, they also dealt with tremendous losses. Many pilots were shot down over North Vietnam where there was almost no chance of rescue. Grant covers the terror of carrier landings, the wild parties aboard the Oriskany, the tensions between men with very strong personalities, the adulterous behavior of many of the pilots, and the overwhelming emotions of a MIA's wife holding on to the hope that her husband might still be alive. This book is the first that I have read about the air war in Vietnam and it certainly ranked among the best military books I have read. I highly recommend it!

Iowa Pilot Returns Home

LTJG Norman L. Roggow, a 26 year old Naval Aviator who was killed in action on 10/8/67 in Vietnam has been recovered and repatriated to the U.S. and his family for burial in Le Mars, Iowa. Norman Lee Roggow was born 8/25/41 in Kansas City, MO to Orville and Linda (Beckman) Roggow. He attended high school at Brooke Consolidated High School, rural Peterson, IA. He graduated from Wayne State College with a BA in Business Management and commissioned an Ensign in the U. S. Navy in Feb., 1964. Upon completion of Flight Training, he was designated a Naval Aviator in June, 1965. LTJG Roggow reported to VT-1 as a Flight Instructor. In October, 1966, he reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven. He was transferred to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 111, Detachment 34 in April, 1967. LTJG Roggow died on 10/8/67 14 miles Northwest of Da Nang, South Vietnam as a result of an aircraft accident while on an operational flight from Chu Lai, South Vietnam to the USS Oriskany CVA-34 off the coast of Vietnam. LTJG Roggow was awarded an Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. While in high school, Norman enjoyed playing on the basketball team. In college at Wayne State, Norman was a member of the Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity. Survivors include 3 sisters, Connace Fraser and her husband, Larry, Hutchinson, MN, Marva Hansen and her husband, Joe, Omaha, Diane Roggow, Le Mars; brother, Curtis Roggow and his wife, Kathy, Shawnee, KS; 8 nieces and nephews; 9 great-nieces and nephews; 2 great-great- nieces. His father, Norman passed away on 12/25/05 and his mother, Linda passed away on 3/1/2000.