USS Philippine Sea passing through the Panama Canal with six Douglas R4D-5L transports en route to the Antarctic, in support of Operation High Jump, Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd's scientific expedition to the frozen continent in 1947. Note the carrier's port-side elevator swung up so she can squeeze through the canal and the two OY-1 light planes parked forward of her island. U.S. Navy photo.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Soon after World War II the Navy returned to the Antarctic to continue exploration and mapping. Operation Highjump, 1946–47, was a massive effort that included 13 ships, 4,700 men, and 25 aircraft, making it the largest expedition to Antarctica. RADM Richard H. Cruzen commanded the Navy task force while RADM Richard E. Byrd (photos NS024752c; NS024752d, right; NS024752g; NS024752h, left) was given control of the technical aspects of the operation.

Participating ships included: USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8), the flagship; attack cargo ships USS Yancey (AKA-93) and USS Merrick (AKA-97); submarine USS Sennet (SS-408); Navy icebreaker USS Burton Island (AG-88) and Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Northwind (WAG-282); seaplane tenders USS Currituck (AV-7) and USS Pine Island (AV-12); destroyers USS Henderson (DD-785) and USS Brownson (DD-868); oilers USS Cacapon (AO-52) and USS Canisteo (AO-99); and aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). Aircraft included PBM Mariner seaplanes, R4D Skytrains (photos NS024752, NS024752a, NS024752e, NS024752i) equipped with a unique wheel/ski combination, and HOS, HO3S (photo NS024752b), and HNS Hoverfly helicopters.

The Navy decided to fly the Skytrains to the continent from Philippine Sea, and equip these two-engine cargo planes with Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) equipment to provide extra thrust (photos NS024752f, NS024752i). The first R4D took off from Philippine Sea on 19 January 1947 piloted by CDR William M. Hawkes. The R4D's continued to use JATO for some operations from the ice fields, and JATO bottles also allowed the PBM Mariners to shorten their takeoffs in often ice chocked waters. The utility of the JATO system ashore and at sea was vital to polar aviation. The helicopters, still in their infancy, proved useful in scouting for ice in the dangerous waters near the continent. The expedition's flights observed more than 700,000 square miles of Antarctica which were previously unexplored.

The expedition made major scientific contributions and photographed much of the coast of Antarctica which had never been recorded before. For the Navy, Highjump was primarily a testing and training exercise for cold weather operations. It demonstrated the viability of new technologies, such as the helicopter and JATO, and confirmed the need for ski-equipped aircraft in Antarctic aviation operations.

(Text from "Naval Aviation in the Antarctic," by Curtis Utz, Naval Aviation News, November–December 2006; "Polar Expeditions," Naval History & Heritage Command website.)

Note: Two ships have been named after Rear Admiral Byrd: DDG-23 and AKE-4.

A Navy Douglas R4D-5L takes off from USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), on 29 January 1947, in a blast of smoke from auxiliary rockets (JATO), heading for the Little America base 800 miles south, in Antarctica, as part of U.S. Navy's Antartic Expedition, Operation High Jump, led by Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Note that only three inches of wheel protrude from beneath the skis for take-off. Only half of the Philippine Sea's flight deck—about 400 feet—could be used because of the danger of an R4D wing striking the island structure. Photo U.S. Navy Official.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) exercising at sea with another carrier and a heavy cruiser, circa 1948. The photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center on 10 January 1949. Note: "E" painted on her stack, location of hull number below the after end of her island; and HO3S helicopter on her flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-706709).

USS Chara (AKA-58) during an underway replenishment with USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) and USS Hollister (DD-788), circa early 1950s during the Korean War.

US Navy photo now in the collections of the NARA Seattle.

Official US Navy Photograph (# USN-707935) of an AD-4 Skyraider of VA-115 landing on USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) on 2 October 1950, after conducting strikes in the Inchon area of North Korea. Looking on are Landing Signal Officers, LT(JG) Floyd K. Lissy and LT(JG) Robert K. McNeil and Assistants Walter R. Evans, AM and Richard E. King, AM.

Grumman F9F-2 Panther of Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) is fueled on the carrier's forward flight deck, during operations off Korea, circa 19 October 1950. At left are Vought F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bombers of Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420916).

Ordnancemen hauling bombs on the carrier's flight deck, preparing planes for attacks on enemy targets in Korea, circa 19 October 1950. A Douglas AD-4 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) is behind them, with small bombs on its wing racks.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420919).

Grumman F9F-2 Panther (Bureau No. 123438) of Fighter Squadron 112 (VF-112) goes into the crash barrier while returning from a mission over Korea, circa 19 October 1950.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420958).

Vought F4U-4B Corsair, of Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) taxies forward on the flight deck of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), just before taking off to attack North Korean targets, circa 19 October 1950. Note small bombs on the plane's wings and flight deck crewman signalling to the pilot.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420932).

Mount Katmai (AE-16) transferring bombs during underway replenishment with Philippine Sea (CV-47) off Korea, 29 November 1950. Note: Crewmen standing in the carrier's forward hangar bay, and Grumman F9F-2 Panther fighters and LeTourneau crane parked on her flight deck. Crewmen on Mount Katmai are wearing cold weather clothing. A few days after this photo was taken, Philippine Sea commenced a period of close-support operations in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir.

US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives (# 80-G-439879).

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) moored at Sasebo, Japan, 3 January 1951, with much of her air group spotted on the flight deck. Planes seen include Douglas AD-4 Skyraiders of Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115), Vought F4U-4B Corsairs of Fighter Squadrons 113 and 114 (VF-113 & VF-114) and Grumman F9F-2 Panthers of Fighter Squadrons 111 and 112 (VF-111 & VF-112). Note: Destroyer tender and destroyers in the middle distance, with USS Juneau (CLAA-119) just beyond; LCM-3 landing craft tied to the carrier's stern; and barge and ship's boats alongside her starboard quarter.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439886).

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) moored at Yokosuka, Japan, on 6 February 1951. Note: Large cranes on the shore; harbor tugs at right; and mobile crane on the flight deck of the carrier from which the photo was taken.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439894).

Members of the carrier's Ordnance Department pose with decorated 2000-pound bombs, during Korean War operations, 9 March 1951. Messages painted on the bombs are: "Greetings from PhilCee"; "Happy Easter"; and "Listen! To This One it will Kill you". Among the planes parked in the background are F4U-4Bs of Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439895).

Underway at sea, 9 April 1951, while en route to operating areas off Formosa.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439899).

An Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) AD-2 Skyraider taxies forward on the flight deck, during Korean War operations in May 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439905).

Plane guard helicopter swings in for a landing on USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) after launchings.

(From "All Hands" magazine, May 1951.)

"Preparing for another strike in the Navy's bridge busting campaign in Korea, Panther jet is refueled on flight deck of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47.)"

(From "All Hands" magazine, May 1951.)

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) passes under the Oakland Bay Bridge as she arrives at San Francisco, California, upon her return from the Korean War zone, circa 9 June 1951. Crewmen on the flight deck are spelling out "CVG 2" in honor of her air group.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97322).

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) underway. The photo appears to have been taken at about the time of her second Korean Cruise, 31 December 1951–8 August 1952, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 11 aboard.

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), USS Barton (DD-722) and USS Iowa (BB-61) operating in the Sea of Japan, off Korea, during replenishment operations. Photo is dated 1 July 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-444887).

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47), from Our Navy magazine, mid-August 1954.

This photo was probably taken in 1954, with Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard.

Navasota (AO-106) refueling Electra (AKA-4) off her starboard side and Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off her port side, off San Diego in 1954.

Navasota (AO-106) refueling Electra (AKA-4) off her starboard side and Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off her port side, off San Diego in 1954.

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) refueling from an unidentified oiler during a WestPac deployment, 1954. Photographed from USS O'Brien (DD-725).

"Task Force 77, 1954." USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off the Philippine Islands with USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) and USS Rochester (CA-124) in the background. Painting by Wayne Scarpaci, 24"x36".

Operating in the Western Pacific with the Seventh Fleet, 9 July 1955.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18427).

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) makes a sharp turn to starboard, while steaming in the Western Pacific with the Seventh Fleet, 9 July 1955. Photographed by PH1 D.L. Lash.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18429).

View looking aft from the carrier's island, showing AD and F9F aircraft parked on the flight deck. Photographed on 19 July 1955, while Philippine Sea was operating with the Seventh Fleet. Photographed by PH1 J.E. Cook.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18466).

USS Philippine Sea (CVS-47) underway at sea, with eleven S2F aircraft of Anti-Submarine Squadron 37 (VS-37) flying overhead, July 1958. Six of these aircraft are still painted in the older blue color scheme. Photographed by Everett.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97323).

Task Force 77

"Roadrunners," USS Philippine Sea CVS-47.