US naval task force usually operated off the Sea of Japan on eastern side of Korean peninsula, operating on the western side compounded enemy air strike dangers from China proper itself. Korean winter conditions was atrocious such as heavy snow and silt that covered this Corsair air deck on USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). Note the lead aircraft parked up front is one of the new AD-1 Skyraider ground support aircraft.

Rollover : When not snow-bound, heavy seas also prevented air operations, as with this massive wave crashing onto this carrier's bow. Corsair NP tail code refers to VC-3 night interception squadron, detachments were assigned to USS Boxer (CV-21), USS Princeton (CV-37), USS Valley Forge (CV-45), USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) within 1950 to 1951. VC-3 flew F4U-5N Corsair with airborne radar installed on wing edge (radome housing).

WW2-era carriers had elevators placed in the middle of the flight deck, one towards the bow, other near the stern. During 1944-1945 Japanese Kamikaze attacks against US fleet, enemy targeted these elevators since it can significantly cripple carrier operations without having to sink the vessel. In 1950s, British Royal Navy developed concept on placing elevators to starboard and port locations, thus leaving the carrier to conduct flight launching and recovery with elevators in full usage. But postwar British finances were strapped, the US Navy adopted this concept and brought it to execution. Glossary of Tall Ship Terms - ladywashington.org/glossary.html

Side note on geography, with South Korea's increasing economic power, its domestic nationalist groups have petitioned world organizations to rename the Sea of Japan to East Sea (east of Korean peninsula). Interesting enough, this is also championed by North Korea. Seems like despite their civil war animosities, both countries keep Japan at arms length due to her past colonial rule of the region. It is "East Sea" - Not "Sea of Japan" - www.kimsoft.com/1997/nk-un2.htm