| Original caption: “West Virginia (BB-48), Aerial, Port Bow, Underway.” USS West Virginia (BB-48) just 10 days before Fleet Problem 20, February 20-27, 1939. While critics complained that the Pacific Fleet maneuvers were designed to send Japan a message, Fleet Problem 20 was the only 1 intended to intimidate the United States’ primary Asian adversary. Fleet Problem 20 had the largest concentration of United States Navy aircraft carriers until October 1943 for the Wake Island Raids. USS Lexington (CV-2), USS Yorktown (CV-5), and USS Enterprise (CV-6) were assigned to the “White” force, giving it a stronger strike potential, while USS Ranger (CV-4) was assigned to the “Black” force. For the actual fleet problem, “Black” was given 6 battleships, Ranger, 8 heavy and 6 light cruisers, 32 destroyers, 15 auxiliaries, and 5 aircraft tenders, plus a contingent of marines and several auxiliary vessels. White was given 6 battleships, Lexington, Yorktown, and Enterprise (72-74 aircraft each), 6 heavy and 6 light cruisers, 29 destroyers, 12 submarines, and the target ship Utah (AG 16) as a surrogate for 3 large troop ships. The 2 fleets were thus roughly equal in terms of surface combatants. White was stronger in submarines, however, and the 2 sides had distinctly different air forces. Black, with 72 carrier aircraft, nearly 60 floatplanes operating from battleships and cruisers, 102 Consolidated PBY Catalina patrol bombers supported by aircraft tenders operating from safe harbors, and 62 land-based Marine Corps aircraft, was stronger in reconnaissance and scouting aircraft, while White, with about 220 carrier aircraft plus some 48 floatplanes on battleships and cruisers, was stronger in strike aircraft. United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945) arrived in USS Houston (CA-30) and observed the maneuvers off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from the deck of USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). His presence was widely publicized at the time to underscore his concern about the deteriorating situation in Asia and Europe. Throughout the Fleet Problem exercises of the 1930s, USS West Virginia was either the top-scoring or among the top-scoring battleships. Points were awarded for Gunnery, Engineering, and Communications, which contributed to the overall standing. These scores were circulated to all crews and used to determine promotions and “ship’s spirit.” But the system rewarded those who understood how to play the naval maneuvers game, and did not foster introspection or war preparedness. Competition, not war readiness, was the overarching goal. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2277.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.13 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2951 x 2317 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 9, 1939 |
| Location | |
| City | Naval Station Guantanamo Bay |
| State or Province | Guantanamo Bay |
| Country | Cuba |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | 80-G-466161 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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