The Alabama was the first ship to spot the incoming Japanese aerial attack at the Battle of the Philippine Sea, at an unusually long range, using her just-upgraded SK-1 radar. The interesting part is that the radar was loaded onto her at a forward operating base, and the crew manhandled the 5,000 lb ton antenna to the top of the foremast while she was at sea. I actually saw a photo today (aerial) of the Alabama during this timeframe, and the crate was clearly visible. Kinda cool.
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