Exercise 78 changes the map and tests scouting in bad weather

Exercise 78 treated Hawaiian islands as parts of much larger land masses to channel two fleets into a narrow passage. The western force had to force that opening by nightfall. Its battleships were assumed to lack spotting aircraft, leaving Ranger responsible for scouting and spotting support. Low cloud, strong winds, rough seas, and rain squalls then made flight operations difficult, while older four-stack destroyers struggled even at fourteen and a half knots. Western aircraft failed to get airborne, but eastern heavy cruisers launched scouts and established contact. The eastern force maintained its knowledge of the opponent's position despite further interruptions to flying.