- U.S NAVY BASES

8)USN NAF FERNANDO NORONHA

Fernando Noronha, a small island 150 miles northeast of Brazil's bulge, became a base for anti-submarine operations in mid 1943. It became known as "The Rock" probably because part of it was reserved as a penal colony for Brazilian convicts. The Rock proved to be a mass of red and sticky mud with incidence of rainfall that could only be described as colossal.

The plane captains refused to allow any one to enter one of the 94 Cats without first removing his shoes. But Fernando had a lot on the credit side as well, including such activities as fishing for tuna and barracuda...volley ball, basketball, and baseball, mountain climbing, hiking, and excellent surf swimming. It also served as a training ground for the squadrons newest navigators.

Anti-submarine sweeps were often plotted out into the sea to PLE. Fernando HAD to be there when you came in... With somewhere around a hundred gallons of gas left in the tanks. Throughout its career in South America, the personnel and planes of  VP-94 have been on duty in almost every coastal community.

When the list includes the bases at which 94 officers have served under detached duty orders, a complete Baedeker ( a tourist guide) of Brazil is compiled as witness a squadron letterhead suggested by Lt. Comdr Swenson, but never used because of its necessarily high classification.

The above picture show US Army / Navy barracks where American troops garrisoned in WWII.  The island was converted into a fortress at the easternmost of South American Continent with  intense Anti submarine patrol sweeps. Pictures kindly sent by Mrs. Marietta Borges.

Panoramic view of an array of U.S Quonset huts erected at Fernando de Noronha circa 1943.

A US Navy Document showing the facilities they built at the island so that  personnel could be brought from Mainland. The detailed list of buildings and their specific purposes.

FOLLOWING PAGES ON THE SAME ARTICLE

7)USN NAF CARAVELAS

9)NAF NORONHA IN PICTURES

10)USN NAF FORTALEZA

11)USN NAF GALEAO