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.