S3 Series

4th traded our pinks and greens for Navy Blue/ Marine green and were stationed at Henderson.
We had 21 pilots make the trip to the Solomons for the partyand got quick checkout in Navy Iron(F4F-4).
High command tasked us with defense of Henderson and nearby area, but it was clear we had no attackers
so command called for us to head to F33 and support the Nomads strike.
We arrived on station at 27k with three of our squadrons as 336th was guarding home base. Found out that the
strike was late by about 30 minutes and I checked fuel status. We needed to start for home and were asked to head SW toward 43/44.
By the time we got near there the 352nd had cleared the area so we RTB for fuel and ammo.
Launched second sortie from Henderson to go find some shipping and a/c that the strike force wasn't able to get to
due to IJN fighters . We arrived at the port and saw the targets sitting there for us. Sunk all the ships we saw and
destroyed many seaplanes parked at the port. I called for egress and join up and we headed to the south end of the "Slot"
where we had seen more ships. As we got to the middle of the channel we were bounced by high zekes and we dove to the deck
low on ammo and fuel. Got out of that mess with only one loss and one kill, but made it to F53 where we landed to rearm and refuel.
Launched from 53 for the shipping in the "Slot" and proceeded to destroy what we could find.
Our guys not being used to having palm trees close to the runway edge lost 2 a/c to the pineapples.Those will be tough letters to write.
<S> =jman= for taking the hot seat on such short notice. Worked out fairly well though, I think.