Arctic Expedition - Task Force 80

Arctic Photo Album

LtCol Rufus B. Thompson, Jr. (then a Captain) functioned as a Marine Observer as part of Navy Task Force 80 (TF-80), part of the Navy's annual cold-weather exercises - July thru September 1948. There were three ships in the task force: two wind-class icebreakers (USS Edisto - AG-89 and USCGC Eastwind - WAG-279) and one Andromeda-class attack cargo ship (USS Wyandot - AKA-92). The purpose was to observe operations and make recommendations as to equipment and supplies required for operations in the Arctic summer. His log book covers July 9 thru September 16, 1948.

USS Portland

Photo Album

Kee Bird

TF-80 Ships

Life Magazine

Article from Life Magazine

October 11, 1948

Log Book

Personal Log Book

USS Portland Log Book

Report of Marine Observers

Kee Bird

Memo to Commanding Officer

Kee Bird

On-board publication

Dated August 5, 1948, while at sea