NAVAL AVIATION NEWS

Published in the December 1959 Issue of Naval Aviation News
Photographer: Unknown

Commander Air Group 11 (center), Cdr. R. L. "Zeke" Cormier, and his squadron commanders are pictured upon the return of the Air Group from a seven month cruise in the Far East aboard the Shangri-La. The group, whish begins a training cycle at NAS Miramar, consists of Cdr. Robert Bothwell's VA-115, Cdr. Jack E. Godrrey's VF-111, Cdr. Billie C. Spell's VF-114, Cdr. H. S. Matthew's VA-113, LCdr. L. H. Sette's VAH-4 (Det. C), LCdr. K. E. Bebb's VAW-11 (Det. CW), LCdr. W. Reed's VCP-63 (Det. C), and Lt. G. C. Lyne's VAW-11 (Det. CN). CVG-11 received a ComNavAirPac grade of "Excellent" during the Operational Readiness Inspection. The Group flew a total of 12,772 hours. "Sea Turtle," an amphibious operation with American Marines and ROK soldiers; Exercise "August Moon," designed to test the radar defenses of Okinawa; "Saddle Up'" a SEATO exercise off North Borneo, were exercises which kept aircraft belching off catapults.