The U.S. operated over 100 aircraft carriers in the Pacific during WWII—including roughly 27-30 large fleet/light carriers and over 60 smaller escort carriers (CVEs)—using them as central, mobile airbase strike forces. They operated in Fast Carrier Task Forces (TF 38/58) or in support of island-hopping, dominating the Pacific through superior numbers, logistics, and airpower, growing from a few ships in 1942 to a massive, unstoppable force by 1945. How US Carriers Operated in the Pacific Fast Ca

#MovieMonday - Focusing on the evolution of the aircraft carrier, "Task Force" (1949) stars Gary Cooper and Wayne Morris. Morris had appeared in over 25 movies prior to joining the Navy in 1942. He became an ace with 7 victories while flying Hellcats from USS Essex. He was also credited with helping destroy 5 Japanese ships. His commanding officer was the Navy's ace of aces, David McCampbell. Morris resumed acting after the war but his careeer had lost momentum and he was reduced to taking lesse