Air Department records, February 14, 1944–1973, n.d.

The Air Department was responsible for landing and launching operations. They also handled and serviced aircraft and maintained the equipment necessary for these functions. Air Department personnel were ship's company, and the department was a permanent shipboard activity. Some records in this series originate with aircraft handling divisions V-2 and V-3. V-2 Division operated the steam catapults and their associated equipment and the arresting gear. V-3 Division was hangar deck crew, which handled all movement of aircraft on the hangar deck; maintained and operated all firefighting equipment, casualty equipment, the roller curtains, the hangar doors, the hangar sprinkler, and water curtains systems; and was largely responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of hangar spaces.