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Two more Black Hawks had flown in from the aircraft carrier during the daylight hours. They were Sea Hawks adapted for the Navy. The big change was that they had hinged tails for improved shipboard stowage. They also could be rigged for anti-submarine warfare as fast as the May could have her armament changed out. For this mission, these two birds were configured for simple transport.
With them aboard, the Peleliu was at its deck capacity without having to fold rotors or shift any craft down the elevators. It made the ship feel suddenly crowded and hectic. They’d also steamed within forty miles of the coast to improve flight times. No other assets were close enough to be in position in time, so it was the Peleliu’s operation.
At the preflight briefing, it became clear that the Navy g
