The squadron's primary mission was to photograph the beaches starting at Miyazaki then South to the end of Kyushu. The beaches were photographed using the Sonne Continuous Strip Camera which produced photographs in three deminsions. These photographs, because of the 3D effect, enabled the photo enterpreters to measure the water depth and to locate and pinpoint underwater obstacles. These photographic runs were flown 200 feet over the water. Oblique photographs were taken of the beaches at an altitude of 500 feet about 800-1000 feet off the surf line. It was assumed that the Oblique Photographs would be used by the invasion landing crafts to pick up points of reference as they approached the beaches. Vertical and oblique photographs were also taken in Kagoshima Wan, which was a mission worse than flying into Truk or Rabaul Harbor because of the low flight altitude required for the photo runs. The off shore islands of Koshiki-Retto were also targets, as it was again assumed that a suppy or military installation was planned for these islands to support the Allied forces once ashore on Kyushu. These missions continued until the end of the hostilities in August 1945. On the last day of the War**, Marine Aerial Photographic Squadron, VMD-954, arrived with their newly configurated F7F's. Many of the pilots from that squadron were sent to Korea and China as part of the occupation force. As the detachment had no official supply chain, a small group of men led by Lt. R. Frew* were responsible for procuring supplies, parts and transportation. In true Marine Corps fashion, they became first class scroungers! They did a masterful job as evidenced by the ability of squadron personnel to have aircraft ready to fly when needed. When the War ended, the detachment had acquired, among other things, several jeeps, trucks and a DUCK, all procured by way of "Midnight Requisitioning". * Lt. Fobert Frew, who had been resposible for the acquisition of so much needed supplies, parts and vehicles for the Okinawa detachment was killed in an aircraft crash. Back on Guam, Lt. R. Frew met up with Lt.R. Frahm. Both had gone through flight training together. Lt. Frahm was assigned to a Martin Marauder, B-26 squadron, also stationed on Guam. Lt. Frahm was making a flight to Manila for supplies and invited Lt. Frew to go along for the ride. They made the trip and were on the way back to Guam when the weather closed in on the Island and they were rerouted to Siapan, which was now also closed down. Being low on gas, Lt. Frahm gave orders to the crew to bail out, but at the last moment, he said that he could see the field and was going to attempt a landing. Unfortunately, the aircraft ran out of gas on the landing approach and they crashed. Lts. Frew, Frahm and two others, died in the crash. Some of the crew member in the rear of the B-26, survived. **The end of World War ll was officially declared as of 31 December 1946. Okinawa-Pictorial Sonne Aerial Camera