US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Pianning for Paring the Japanese Toenaiis 515
a. Task Force 33 which under Vice Admiral Aubrey Fitch controlled
all the land based aircraft and tender based aircraft in the South
Pacific Area.
b. Task Force 36 which under Vice Admiral Halsey’s own command
and coordination consisted of (1) two Carrier Task Groups, (2)
three surf ace ship task groups, one including fast minelayers and
(3) the Ground Force Reserve, and
c. Task Force 72 which under Captain James Fife, provided eleven
submarines from the Seventh Fleet based on Australia.
Task Force 33, the SOPAC Air Force, was directed to:
a. Provide reconnaissance air cover and support.
b. Neutralize enemy air flying out from the New Georgia Group and
Bougainvillea.
c. Arrange with and provide CTF 31 with air striking groups for use
in the immediate vicinity of TF 31.
Task Force 36, the Covering Force, was directed to ‘