On 26 February 1944, the squadron received its first consignment of F6F Hellcats. The training entered a new phase with the arrival of the VMF aircraft. The VMD-354 pilots received additional training in Photographic Techniques of Aerial Photography where the pilot had the sole responsibility for the photographic mission. These pilots received their special photographic training at Harrisburg, PA. Lt.Col. E.E. Pollock, USMC, assumed command of the squadron on 25 March 1944. With training becoming more intensified, the Photo Reconnaissance Training Missions were being flown both by day and by night. The squadrons Photo Processing Labs worked on a multi-shift operation to handle the increase in training mission photographs. On 19 May 1944, tragedy struck the squadron. While returning from a Photographic Reconnaissance Training Mission, Lt.Col. Pollock and his crew of twelve men were killed in the crash of their B-24 Liberator while on the approach to land at MCAS, Cherry Point, NC. Major J.L. Whitaker Jr., USMCR, assumed temporary command of the squadron. On 1 June 1944, Major J.W. Burkhardt, USMC, became Commanding Officer of VMD-354. The need of the types of Aerial Photographic Reconnaissance requirements in the Pacific Theater of War, were beginning to change. The heavy aircraft, the B-24 Liberators, used for high altitude, wide area mapping were being replaced with VMF type aircraft that could approach the designated targets at a much lower altitude and with great speed. The demands for Photographic Reconnaissance of single targets and small area mapping, were on the increase. The F6F Hellcat equipped with special Photo Reconnaissance Equipment would meet these new demands. On 21 August 1944, Major J.L. Whitaker, USMCR and 19 B-24 Liberator pilots were transferred out of the squadron. The squadron's B-24 Liberators were turned over to the Navy. 12 additional VMF pilots were assigned to the squadron. Once again, the training intensified using the F6F Hellcat as the squadrons only aircraft. Squadron personnel staffing underwent a complete reorganization. MCAS, Cherry Point, -Cont'd