Pearl Harbor

Another patrol. We went to within a few miles of Johnston Island — saw nothing. I navigated for the whole trip and got us back right on the button — which accomplishment gives me a wonderful feeling of satisfaction. Most of the pilots these Navy flying schools turn out are excellent navigators, as compared to the Army pilots, were taught only the rudiments and make use of professional non-pilot navigators on their long hops. The funny thing is, Navy pilots are, in 95% of the cases, better navigators than the Army professionals. In navigation we use for celestial — a bubble octant, H.O. 214, and the Air Almanac — and for dead reckoning, a Mark plotting board and a drift sight. With these three instruments into publications, AND enough paper and pencils, a good navigator can go anywhere in any kind of weather. In most instances we also use radio aids to navigate as a check.

A Jap sub is been hanging around here for the last few days and the patrolling “cans” haven’t gotten it yet, despite “warm” verbal directions from pilots.