Piles of luggage, and scores of WAVES, as both await the trains to take them from boot camp at Cedar Falls, Iowa, to new places of instruction.
The photograph by Lt. Wayne Miller comes from the National Archives.
Tag Archives: navy training
Training Pilots
Aviation week continues with this c. 1944 photograph of a Navy WAVE working the headsets on the Link flight simulation unit. She’ll use the microphone to help direct the pilot trainee and let him know if he is flying correctly or has “crashed.”
The photo comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
The Link Trainer
Continuing in our “aviation week” theme, this photo shows an unidentified WAVE and Navy pilot trainee working with the Link instructor. The pilot is learning the skills of instrument flight.
The photo comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
Aviation Week!
We’re going to round out the month of October here at the Hinges of History blog with a look at WAVES in aviation.
This photo is of an unidentified WAVE sitting in the “cockpit” of a Link trainer, which was used to train Navy pilots in the skills of instrument flight.
It comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
Learning the Ropes
Ah, the adjustments WAVES had to make
during boot camp!
This cartoon comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
Engine Work
Jacksonville WAVES work on a plane engine in this October 1943 photograph.
It’s by Ens. V. Jorgensen and comes from the National Archives.
Engine Repair
WAVES learn to repair and maintain engines on a Navy flight plane during training in Norman, Oklahoma.
The photograph by Lt. JG Wayne Miller comes from the National Archives.
Elizabeth Reynard
Elizabeth Reynard was one of the women who helped to organize basic training for the WAVES and came up with their name. I’m not sure of the date of this newspaper feature on her, but it offers an interesting insight into one of the earliest World War II-era WAVES.
Daily Exercise
From the Navy caption of this February, 1943 photograph by Lt. Wayne Miller:
Daily gym instruction keeps WAVES ship shape at Boot Camp, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
February 1943 would be the last month the Cedar Falls facility at Iowa State Teacher’s College would be used as a boot camp. The Hunter College training center in the Bronx, New York, opened that same month.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
WAVES in a Row
WAVES marching to inspection by Mildred McAfee and White at Naval Air Station Brooklyn, New York, July 31, 1943. Check out the sign at the bottom of the photo. It looks to be hand painted – certainly wouldn’t see that today!
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 