Organization of the U.S. Army Air Service in 1925
Encyclopedia
The Organization of the U.S. Army Air Service in 1925 is a snapshot of that service from its final major organizational change in June 1924, when the 1st Wing (then a training establishment) was inactivated, to its name change in July 1926 to the United States Army Air Corps
. Except for creation of a new school group for primary flying training at March FieldThe 13th School Group, activated July 31, 1927, consisting of the 47th, 53rd, and 54th School Squadrons, 70th Service squadron, and 23rd Photo Section. The unit inactivated on April 30, 1931. and reallocation of four existing tactical squadrons to new groups in 1927 and 1928,6th and 19th Pursuit Squadrons from the 5th Composite Group to the 18th Pursuit Group, the 11th Bombardment Squadron from the 2nd Bombardment to 7th Bombardment Group, and the 23rd Bombardment Squadron from the 5th Composite Group to the 19th Bombardment Group. the organization of the Air Corps remained largely unchanged from this list until November 1930.
The actual date of this list is February 15, 1925. At that time the Air Service had 32 tactical squadrons (eight pursuit, eight bombardment, two attack, and 14 observation), under the command of the corps area
s and departments in which they were located, and 17 service and training squadrons controlled by the Office of Chief of Air Service (OCAS). The tactical squadrons were organized into seven groups and the divisional air services for three active Regular Army infantry divisions
and six paper divisions.
On that date the Air Service consisted of 922 officers and 8,749 enlisted men, out of authorized personnel ceilings of 1,516 and 8,800. In 1925 the Tenth Annual Report of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, submitted by President Calvin Coolidge
to the Congress on 8 December 1924, reported:
)
Primary Flying School
Air Service Tactical School
Field Artillery School
Corps Area
Divisional air services were co-located with the squadron assigned. In nearly all instances, the commander of the flying unit was also the divisional air service officer. Each corps area was also assigned an air service officer, but he did not exercise command authority over the units allotted to that corps area.
First Corps Area
Second Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Jay
, New York
Third Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort McHenry
, Maryland
Fourth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort McPherson
, Georgia
Fifth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Benjamin Harrison
, Indiana
Sixth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Seventh Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Crook
, Nebraska
Eighth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Sam Houston
, TexasIn March 1925 this position was assigned to Col. Billy Mitchell following his demotion as a result of court martial conviction.
Ninth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Presidio of San Francisco
, California
Air Service Officer, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Panama Canal Department
Air Service Officer, Corazal, Canal Zone
Philippine Department
Air Service Officer, Manila
Organized Reserve
All Organized Reserve organizations and National Guard units assigned to the Air Service were manned by personnel residing in and allotted to the Corps Area in which they were located. Organizations above the group level were headquarters with no active command duties in peacetime, created as mobilization organizations without training responsibilities. Groups were headquarters with squadrons assigned and exercised limited control over them during training periods, but although assigned in plans to upper echelons, were never organized as such. To illustrate, on February 15, 1925:
In June 1924 the Army created 31 school groups for the Organized Reserve and assigned them to the Zone of the Interior. Four were officially "organized" and remained so until September 1928, when all 31 were demobilized. Six of the other school groups were organized at some point during this period, four of which were on organized status on February 15, 1925.
By the Army's rules of unit organization, the headquarters of a National Guard division headquarters could not stand up until at least 75 percent of its subordinate units had been Federally recognized. By the end of 1924, 13 of the 18 National Guard division headquarters (under which divisional air services were organized) had been initiated, after which reduced Army budgets resulted in a two year suspension of Federal recognition of new units.
National Guard aviation had 14 observation squadrons on February 15, 1925, in contrast to the Organized Reserve, which had 73 pursuit squadrons, 21 attack squadrons, and 18 observation squadrons assigned to its groups. However in keeping with then-current legislation, National Guard units were allowed full manning (although at the time of mobilization for World War II the Guard as a whole was only at 50% strength), while O.R. units could have 100% of their authorized officer complements but no more than 33% of their enlisted strength, thus keeping most (including aviation squadrons) in a largely "on paper only" condition.
Field army air services
Corps air services
Divisional air services
Wing headquarters
Combat groups
Zone of Interior school groups
Divisional air services
Squadrons
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. Except for creation of a new school group for primary flying training at March FieldThe 13th School Group, activated July 31, 1927, consisting of the 47th, 53rd, and 54th School Squadrons, 70th Service squadron, and 23rd Photo Section. The unit inactivated on April 30, 1931. and reallocation of four existing tactical squadrons to new groups in 1927 and 1928,6th and 19th Pursuit Squadrons from the 5th Composite Group to the 18th Pursuit Group, the 11th Bombardment Squadron from the 2nd Bombardment to 7th Bombardment Group, and the 23rd Bombardment Squadron from the 5th Composite Group to the 19th Bombardment Group. the organization of the Air Corps remained largely unchanged from this list until November 1930.
The actual date of this list is February 15, 1925. At that time the Air Service had 32 tactical squadrons (eight pursuit, eight bombardment, two attack, and 14 observation), under the command of the corps area
Corps area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure of the United States Army used to accomplish domestic administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army, Organized Reserve and National Guard of the United States...
s and departments in which they were located, and 17 service and training squadrons controlled by the Office of Chief of Air Service (OCAS). The tactical squadrons were organized into seven groups and the divisional air services for three active Regular Army infantry divisions
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
and six paper divisions.
On that date the Air Service consisted of 922 officers and 8,749 enlisted men, out of authorized personnel ceilings of 1,516 and 8,800. In 1925 the Tenth Annual Report of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, submitted by President Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
to the Congress on 8 December 1924, reported:
"The Air Service has 845 officers with rating as airplane pilots, airplane observers, airship pilots, airship observers, or balloon observers. In addition about 51 enlisted men have the rating of airplane pilot, junior airplane pilot, or airship pilot."
Administrative Group
-
- 18th Headquarters Squadron: Bolling FieldBolling Air Force BaseJoint Base Anacostia-Bolling is a military installation, located in Southeast Washington, D.C., established on 1 October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
(1st Lt. Lester J. MaitlandLester J. MaitlandLester James Maitland was an aviation pioneer and career officer in the United States Army Air Forces and its predecessors. Maitland began his career as a Reserve pilot in the U.S. Army Air Service during World War I and rose to brigadier general in the Michigan Air National Guard following World...
) - 56th Service Squadron (Capt. Lorenzo L. Snow)
- 18th Headquarters Squadron: Bolling Field
Training and Operations Group
Advanced Flying School (formerly 1st Wing1st Bombardment Wing (World War II)
The 1st Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. It was the first wing formed in the reorganized United States Army Air Service, created in August 1919 to control three groups patrolling the border with Mexico after revolution broke out there. Its last assignment was with...
)
- 10th School Group: Kelly Field, Texas (Major Horace M. HickamHorace Meek HickamHorace Meek Hickam was a pioneer airpower advocate and an officer in the United States Army Air Corps. Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, is named in his honor.-Background:...
)- 40th School Squadron (Capt. Frederick I. Eglin)
- 41st School Squadron429th Bombardment SquadronThe 429th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 2d Bombardment Wing, based at Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 January 1962.-History:...
(Capt. Gilbert T. Collar) - 42nd School Squadron (1st Lt. Claude E. Duncan)
- 43rd School Squadron (Capt. Albert Guidera)
- 68th Service Squadron (1st Lt. Ralph D. Walker)
- 22nd Photo Section
Primary Flying School
- 11th School Group: Brooks FieldBrooks City-BaseBrooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
, Texas (Major Ralph RoyceRalph RoyceRalph Royce was a United States Army Air Forces general during World War II. A West Point graduate who learned to fly in 1915–16, he served with the 1st Aero Squadron in the Pancho Villa Expedition and later led it on the Western Front...
)- 46th School Squadron (1st Lt. Virgil Hine)
- 47th School Squadron (1st Lt. Edward L. Searle, Jr.)
- 62nd Service Squadron (1st Lt. Charles E. Branshaw)
Air Service Tactical School
Air Corps Tactical School
The Air Corps Tactical School, also known as ACTS and "the Tactical School", was a military professional development school for officers of the United States Army Air Service and United States Army Air Corps, the first such school in the world. Created in 1920 at Langley Field, Virginia, it...
- Langley Field, Virginia (Major Oscar M. WestoverOscar WestoverOscar M. Westover was a major general and fourth chief of the United States Army Air Corps.-Biography:He was born in Bay City, Michigan and enlisted in the Army when he was 18. He began his service as a private in 1901 before being appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point...
)- 50th Observation Squadron50th Education SquadronThe 50th Education Squadron is a training squadron of the United States Air Force. It is currently stationed at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.-World War I :...
(2d Wg) (Capt. Floyd E. Galloway) - 58th Service Squadron (2d Wg) (1st Lt. Joseph T. Morris)
- 19th Airship Company (2d Wg) (Capt. William O. Butler)
- 20th Photo Section
- 50th Observation Squadron
Field Artillery School
-
- 44th Observation Squadron430th Bombardment SquadronThe 430th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 502d Bombardment Group, based at Northwest Field, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 April 1946.-History:...
(9th OG): Post FieldHenry Post Army AirfieldHenry Post Army Airfield is a military use airport located at Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States. This military airport is owned by United States Army. It is the oldest continually operating airfield in the U.S. Army inventory...
, Oklahoma (Capt. Richard H. Ballard)
- 44th Observation Squadron
Corps AreaCorps areaA Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure of the United States Army used to accomplish domestic administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army, Organized Reserve and National Guard of the United States...
units
Divisional air services were co-located with the squadron assigned. In nearly all instances, the commander of the flying unit was also the divisional air service officer. Each corps area was also assigned an air service officer, but he did not exercise command authority over the units allotted to that corps area.First Corps Area
- Divisional Air Service, 9th Division
- 1st Observation Squadron1st Reconnaissance SquadronThe 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force reconnaissance training unit based at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville, California. It is the oldest squadron in the Air Force, and the first organization to be established as a U.S. military flying unit...
(9th OG): Mitchel Field (Major Davenport Johnson)- 8th Photo Section
- 1st Observation Squadron
Second Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
, New York
- 9th Observation Group9th Operations GroupThe 9th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California....
: Mitchel FieldMitchel Air Force BaseDecommissioned in 1961, Mitchel Field became a multi-use complex currently home to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.-Origins:...
, New York (Major William N. Hensley, Jr.)- (tactical squadrons assigned directly to Corps Areas)
- 61st Service Squadron (Capt. Harrison W. Flickenger)
- 1st Division Air Service
- 5th Observation Squadron5th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 5th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California but is geographically separated.-Mission:The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron conducts operations from Osan Air Base, South Korea...
(9th OG): Mitchel Field (Capt. Harold McClelland)- 14th Photo Section
- 5th Observation Squadron
Third Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay...
, Maryland
-
- 18th Airship Company (GHQR): Phillips FieldPhillips Army AirfieldPhillips Army Airfield is a military airport located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, in Harford County, Maryland, United States. This U.S. Army airfield has three asphalt paved runways: 4/22 is 7,997 by 200 feet , 8/26 is 4,849 by 149 feet and 17/35 is 5,004 by 149 feet ....
, Maryland (1st Lt. James F. Powell)
- 18th Airship Company (GHQR): Phillips Field
- 2nd Wing2d Bombardment Wing (World War II)The 2d Bombardment Wing is an inactive organization of the United States Army Air Forces. Its last assignment was with the Continental Air Forces, based at McChord Field, Washington. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945....
headquarters: Langley Field, Virginia (Major Harold Geiger)
- 2nd Bombardment Group2d Operations GroupThe 2d Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force 2d Bomb Wing, assigned to the Air Combat Command Eighth Air Force. The group is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
: Langley Field (Major John H. Pirie)- 11th Bombardment Squadron11th Bomb SquadronThe 11th Bomb Squadron is part of the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It operates B-52 Stratofortress aircraft providing strategic bombing capability.-Mission:...
(Capt. Early W. Duncan) - 20th Bombardment Squadron20th Bomb SquadronThe 20th Bomb Squadron is part of the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It operates B-52 Stratofortress aircraft providing strategic bombing capability.-Mission:...
(Capt. Willis H. Hale) - 49th Bombardment Squadron49th Test and Evaluation SquadronThe 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 53d Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.-Mission:...
: Phillips Field, Maryland (1st Lt. Bernard S. Thompson) - 96th Bombardment Squadron96th Bomb SquadronThe 96th Bomb Squadron is part of the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It operates B-52 Stratofortress aircraft providing strategic bombing capability.-History:...
(Capt. Edward C. Black) - 59th Service Squadron (1st Lt. William A. Hayward)
- 2nd Photo Section
- 11th Bombardment Squadron
- Divisional Air Service, 8th Division
- 99th Observation Squadron99th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 99th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. It operates U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft flying reconnaissance missions around the world.-Mission:...
(9th OG): Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. (Capt. Clearton N. Reynolds)- 3rd Photo Section
- 99th Observation Squadron
Fourth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort McPherson
Fort McPherson
Fort McPherson was a U.S. Army military base located in East Point, Georgia, on the southwest edge of the City of Atlanta, Ga. It was the headquarters for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Southeast Region; the U.S. Army Forces Command; the U.S. Army Reserve Command; the U.S...
, Georgia
- Divisional Air Service, 4th Division
- 22nd Observation Squadron22d Tactical Drone SquadronThe 22d Tactical Drone Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 432d Tactical Drone Group, stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. It was inactivated on 1 Apr 1979.-World War I:...
: Maxwell FieldMaxwell Air Force BaseMaxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Alabama (Major Roy S. Brown)- 4th Photo Section
- 22nd Observation Squadron
Fifth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison was a U.S. Army post located in suburban Lawrence, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis. It is named for the 23rd United States President, Benjamin Harrison. Land was purchased in 1903, with the post being officially named for President Harrison in honor of Indianapolis being...
, Indiana
- Divisional Air Service, 5th Division
- 88th Observation Squadron: Wilbur Wright FieldWright-Patterson Air Force BaseWright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio (Major Hugh J. KnerrHugh J. KnerrHugh Johnston Knerr was a Major General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Knerr was born on May 30, 1887 in Fairfield, Iowa. He passed away on October 26, 1971 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.-Career:...
)- 7th Photo Section
- 88th Observation Squadron: Wilbur Wright Field
Sixth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Sheridan, Illinois
- 1st Pursuit Group1st Operations GroupThe 1st Operations Group is the flying component of the 1st Fighter Wing, assigned to the USAF Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The 1st Operations Group is the oldest major air combat unit in the United States Air Force, being a successor organization...
: Selfridge Field, Michigan (Major Thomas G. Lanphier)- 17th Pursuit Squadron (1st Lt. Oliver N. Broberg)
- 27th Pursuit Squadron27th Fighter SquadronThe 27th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 1st Operations Group and stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia....
(1st Lt. Alfred J. Lyon) - 94th Pursuit Squadron94th Fighter SquadronThe 94th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 1st Operations Group and stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia....
(1st Lt. Frank O. Hunter) - 95th Pursuit Squadron95th Fighter SquadronThe 95th Fighter Squadron was part of the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It conducted advanced fighter training for the F-15 Eagle aircraft.-History:...
(1st Lt. Thomas K. Matthews) - 57th Service Squadron (Capt. Theose E. Tillinghast)
- 21st Airship Group: Scott FieldScott Air Force BaseScott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
, Illinois (Major John A. Paegelow)- 8th Airship Company (Capt. Charles M. Savage)
- 9th Airship Company (1st Lt. William A. Gray)
- 12th Airship Company (Capt. Warren B. Gates)
- 24th Airship Service Company (Capt. George S. Warren)
- Divisional Air Service, 6th Division
- 15th Observation Squadron15th Reconnaissance Squadron15th Reconnaissance Squadron flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 15th Reconnaissance Squadron is one of the first armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft squadrons. The squadron provides combatant commanders with persistent ISR,...
: Chanute FieldChanute Air Force BaseChanute Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located south of and adjacent to Rantoul, Illinois, about south of Chicago. Its primary mission throughout its existence was Air Force technical training....
, Illinois (Capt. Ernest Clark)- 5th Photo Section
- 15th Observation Squadron
Seventh Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Crook
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska
- Divisional Air Service, 7th Division
- 16th Observation Squadron16th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 16th Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 311th Photographic Wing, stationed at Buckley Field, Colorado. It was inactivated on 12 April 1945.-History:...
: Marshall FieldMarshall Army AirfieldMarshall Army Airfield is a military airfield located on Fort Riley, Kansas. It was opened in 1921. The primary mission for MAAF is to provide fully integrated fixed base helicopter operations for the Combat Aviation Brigade....
, Kansas (Major Benjamin G. Weir)- 9th Photo Section
- 16th Observation Squadron
Eighth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, TexasIn March 1925 this position was assigned to Col. Billy Mitchell following his demotion as a result of court martial conviction.
- 3rd Attack Group3d Operations GroupThe 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
: Kelly Field, Texas (Major Harvey B.S. Burwell)- 8th Attack Squadron8th Special Operations SquadronThe 8th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.-Mission:...
(Capt. Joseph H. Davidson) - 90th Attack Squadron90th Fighter SquadronThe 90th Fighter Squadron is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
(1st Lt. Walter R. Peck) - 60th Service Squadron (1st Lt. Franklin O. Carroll)
- 8th Attack Squadron
- 2nd Division Air Service
- 12th Observation Squadron12th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 12th Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force reconnaissance unit based at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville, California. It is a component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and operates the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle...
: Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas (Major Leo G. Heffernan)- 1st Photo Section
- 12th Observation Squadron
Ninth Corps Area
Air Service Officer, Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, California
- 3rd Division Air Service
- 91st Observation Squadron91st Network Warfare SquadronThe 91st Network Warfare Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, currently assigned to the 67th Network Warfare Wing at Kelly Annex, part of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.-Overview:...
: Crissy FieldCrissy FieldCrissy Field is a former airfield, now a part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco, California, United States. Historically a part of the Presidio of San Francisco, Crissy Field was closed as an airfield and eventually the National Park Service took control over it...
, California (Major Delos C. Emmons)- 15th Photo Section
- 91st Observation Squadron
Overseas departments
Hawaiian DepartmentAir Service Officer, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
-
- 4th Observation Squadron: Wheeler FieldWheeler Army AirfieldWheeler Army Airfield , also known as Wheeler Field and formerly as Wheeler Air Force Base, is a United States Army post located in the City & County of Honolulu and in the Wahiawa District of the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii...
, Hawaii (unknown)
- 4th Observation Squadron: Wheeler Field
- 5th Composite Group5th Operations GroupThe 5th Operations Group is an operational component of the United States Air Force 5th Bomb Wing, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...
: Luke FieldNaval Auxiliary Landing Field Ford IslandNaval Auxiliary Landing Field Ford Island was a military use airport on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, United States. Prior to 1962, it was designated as Naval Air Station Ford Island until its downgrade from NAS to NALF...
, Hawaii (Major Arnold N. Krogstad)- 6th Pursuit Squadron (Capt. Hugh M. Elmendorf)
- 19th Pursuit Squadron19th Fighter SquadronThe 19th Fighter Squadron is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.-Mission:The 19th FS operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting strategic attack, interdiction, offensive counterair , suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive and defensive counterair ...
(1st Lt. Roy A. Dunn) - 23rd Bombardment Squadron23d Bomb SquadronThe 23d Bomb Squadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing. It is stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota. The mission of the 23BS is to fly the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress long range bomber...
(Major Karl H. Gorman) - 72nd Bombardment Squadron72d Test and Evaluation SquadronThe 72d Test and Evaluation Squadron is part of the 53d Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The squadron is geographically separated but operated from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri...
(Capt. Richard J. Kirkpatrick) - 65th Service Squadron (Capt. Donald P. Muse)
- 11th Photo Section
Panama Canal Department
Air Service Officer, Corazal, Canal Zone
Fort Clayton
Fort Clayton was a United States Army base in the former Panama Canal Zone, later part of the Republic of Panama. Fort Clayton was located northwest of Balboa, Panama, with the Panama Canal located nearby. It closed in 1999 pursuant to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties...
- 6th Composite Group6th Operations GroupThe 6th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida....
: France FieldEnrique Adolfo Jiménez AirportEnrique Adolfo Jiménez Airport is a commercial airport located in Colón, Panama, offering scheduled airline flights to the national capital, Panama City, and to other destinations....
, C.Z. (Major Follett Bradley)- 7th Observation Squadron397th Bombardment SquadronThe 397th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the VI Bomber Command, based at Rio Hato Army Air Base, Panama. It was inactivated on 1 November 1946.-Heraldry:...
(Capt. Charles E. Rust) - 24th Pursuit Squadron24th Fighter SquadronThe 24th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 6th Fighter Wing, based at France Field, Canal Zone...
(Capt. William E. Farthing) - 25th Bombardment Squadron25th Space Range SquadronThe United States Air Force's 25th Space Range Squadron is a space control unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado. 25 SRS operates the Space Test and Training Range .-Mission:...
(1st Lt. Arthur K. Ladd) - 63rd Service Squadron (1st Lt. Robin A. Day)
- 12th Photo Section
- 7th Observation Squadron
Philippine Department
Philippine Department
The Philippine Department was a regular US Army unit, defeated in the Philippines, during World War II. The mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army...
Air Service Officer, Manila
- 4th Composite Group: Camp NicholsNichols FieldNichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Luzon, the Philippines. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force's U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry...
, P.I. (Major Charles L. Brown)- 2nd Observation Squadron2d Air Refueling SquadronThe 2d Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force. It is part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions....
: Kindley FieldCorregidorCorregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, P.I. (Capt. Vernon L. Burge) - 3rd Pursuit Squadron: Clark FieldClark Air BaseClark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991...
, P.I. (Major John C. McDonnell) - 28th Bombardment Squadron28th Bomb SquadronThe 28th Bomb Squadron is part of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. It operates B-1 Lancer aircraft providing strategic bombing capability...
(Capt. Rosenham Beam) - 66th Service Squadron (1st Lt. Harry A. Dinger)
- 6th Photo Section
- 2nd Observation Squadron
Organized ReserveUnited States Army ReserveThe United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
and National Guard
All Organized Reserve organizations and National Guard units assigned to the Air Service were manned by personnel residing in and allotted to the Corps Area in which they were located. Organizations above the group level were headquarters with no active command duties in peacetime, created as mobilization organizations without training responsibilities. Groups were headquarters with squadrons assigned and exercised limited control over them during training periods, but although assigned in plans to upper echelons, were never organized as such. To illustrate, on February 15, 1925:
- the 11th Wing Headquarters (Attack) was located in Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, WashingtonSeattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
; allotted to the Ninth Corps Area; assigned to the Sixth Army; nominally commanded by Lt. Col. Frank H. Patterson; and had the 310th Pursuit Group (Missouri), 309th Attack Group (Illinois), and the 312th Observation Groups (California) assigned; - the newly initiated 13th Wing Headquarters (Bombardment) was located in Baltimore, Maryland; allotted to the Third Corps Area; assigned to the General Headquarters Reserve (GHQR); commanded by Capt. Harold G. Slauson; and assigned the 347th Bombardment Group (Maryland, inactive) as a subordinate unit;;
- the 312th Observation Group (of the 11th Wing, described above), was located at Crissy FieldCrissy FieldCrissy Field is a former airfield, now a part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco, California, United States. Historically a part of the Presidio of San Francisco, Crissy Field was closed as an airfield and eventually the National Park Service took control over it...
, San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
; allotted to the Ninth Corps Area; commanded by 1st Lt. Stanley C. Kerk; and had the 420th (Michigan), 434th (Arizona), 440th (California), and 441st (California) Observation Squadrons assigned; and - the 36th Division Air Service was located at Ellington Field, Texas; allotted to the state of Texas (Eighth Corps Area); assigned to the 36th Division (VIII CorpsVIII Corps (United States)The U.S. VIII Corps was a corps of the United States Army that saw service during various times over a fifty-year period during the twentieth century. The VIII Corps was organized 26–29 November 1918 in the Regular Army in France and demobilized on 20 April 1919. The VIII Corps was soon...
); commanded by Major Bernard A. Law; and had the 111th Observation Squadron, the 111th Photo Section, and the 171st Air Intelligence Section assigned.
In June 1924 the Army created 31 school groups for the Organized Reserve and assigned them to the Zone of the Interior. Four were officially "organized" and remained so until September 1928, when all 31 were demobilized. Six of the other school groups were organized at some point during this period, four of which were on organized status on February 15, 1925.
By the Army's rules of unit organization, the headquarters of a National Guard division headquarters could not stand up until at least 75 percent of its subordinate units had been Federally recognized. By the end of 1924, 13 of the 18 National Guard division headquarters (under which divisional air services were organized) had been initiated, after which reduced Army budgets resulted in a two year suspension of Federal recognition of new units.
National Guard aviation had 14 observation squadrons on February 15, 1925, in contrast to the Organized Reserve, which had 73 pursuit squadrons, 21 attack squadrons, and 18 observation squadrons assigned to its groups. However in keeping with then-current legislation, National Guard units were allowed full manning (although at the time of mobilization for World War II the Guard as a whole was only at 50% strength), while O.R. units could have 100% of their authorized officer complements but no more than 33% of their enlisted strength, thus keeping most (including aviation squadrons) in a largely "on paper only" condition.
Organized Reserve
This list includes only reserve units above squadron level having an organized headquarters.Field army air services
- First Army (New Hampshire), Second Army (Ohio), Third ArmyUnited States Army CentralUnited States Army Central is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and is also dual-hatted as the "United States Third Army". It is the Army Component of U.S...
(California), Fourth Army (New York), Fifth ArmyUnited States Army NorthUnited States Army North, or the Fifth Army, is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army. It is responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities as the joint force land component command of United States Northern Command.-History:The Fifth United States...
(Kentucky), Sixth Army (California)
Corps air services
- II Corps (New York), VIII CorpsVIII Corps (United States)The U.S. VIII Corps was a corps of the United States Army that saw service during various times over a fifty-year period during the twentieth century. The VIII Corps was organized 26–29 November 1918 in the Regular Army in France and demobilized on 20 April 1919. The VIII Corps was soon...
(Texas), IX Corps (California), XI CorpsXI Corps (United States)XI Corps was a corps of the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War.-References:* Weigley, Russell F. . Eisenhower's Lieutenants. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-13333-5....
(Massachusetts), XII CorpsXII Corps (United States)The XII Corps fought from northern France to Austria in World War II. Constituted in the Organized Reserves in 1933, it was activated on 29 August 1942 at Columbia, South Carolina. XII Corps became operational in France as part of Lieutenant General George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army on 1 August...
(New York), XIII Corps (Pennsylvania), XIV Corps (Georgia), XV CorpsXV Corps (United States)The XV Corps of the US Army was initially constituted on 1 October 1933 as part of the Organized Reserves, and was activated on 15 February 1943 at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. During the Second World War, XV Corps fought for 307 days in the European Theater of Operations, fighting from Normandy...
(Ohio), XVI Corps (Wisconsin), XVII Corps (Kansas), XVIII Corps (Texas), XIX CorpsXIX Corps (United States)XIX Corps started as the III Armored Corps at Camp Polk, Louisiana on 20 August 1942 under the command of Major General Willis D. Crittenberger....
(California)
Divisional air services
- 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 91st, 94th, 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
, 102nd, 103rd, and 104th Divisions
Wing headquarters
- 1st Balloon Wing (Connecticut), 2d Balloon Wing (Oregon), 4th Airship Wing (Minnesota), 5th Airship Wing (Missouri), 6th Attack Wing (Pennsylvania), 7th Attack Wing (Ohio), 8th Attack Wing (Missouri), 9th Attack Wing (Illinois), 11th Attack Wing (Washington and California), 13th Bombardment Wing (Maryland), 17th Pursuit Wing (Minnesota)
Combat groups
- 302nd Pursuit Group (New York), 303rd Attack Group (New York), 304th Pursuit Group (Pennsylvania), 305th Attack Group (Virginia), 306th Pursuit Group (Ohio), 308th Pursuit Group (Illinois), 309th Attack Group (Illinois), 310th Pursuit Group (Missouri), 311th Pursuit Group (Texas), 312th Observation Group (California), 313th Observation Group (Massachusetts), 314th Pursuit Group (New York), 315th Observation Group (Pennsylvania), 316th Pursuit Group (Georgia), 317th Observation Group (Ohio), 318th Pursuit Group (Indiana), 319th Attack Group (Illinois), 320th Observation Group (Missouri), 321st Attack group (Oklahoma), 322nd Pursuit Group (California), 326th Pursuit Group (Pennsylvania), 327th Pursuit Group (Texas), 328th Attack group (Washington), 329th Observation Group (California), 333rd Observation Group (Indiana), 345th Airship Group (Minnesota), 354th Pursuit Group (Minnesota), 355th Pursuit Group (Missouri), and 356th Pursuit Group (Minnesota)
Zone of Interior school groups
- 411th (Missouri), 412th (Kansas), 413th (Arkansas), 414th (Missouri), 415th (Minnesota), 416th (Missouri), 417th (Missouri), and 418th (Missouri) School Groups
National Guard
This list includes only Federally recognized National Guard units.Divisional air services
- 26th26th Infantry Division (United States)The 26th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army. As a major formation of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, it was based in Boston, Massachusetts for most of its history...
, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 34th, 36th, 38th, 40th, 41st, 43rd, and 45th Divisions
Squadrons
- 101st101st Intelligence SquadronThe United States Air Force's 101st Intelligence Squadron , Massachusetts Air National Guard, is an intelligence unit assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing and located at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. From its creation in 1921 to its mission change in 2008, the 101st was the...
(Massachusetts), 102nd102d Rescue SquadronThe 102d Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard and the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. It has flown a number of aircraft including balloons, biplanes, and helicopters, though it currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules for its missions...
(New York), 103rd103d Fighter SquadronThe 103d Fighter Squadron flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 111th Fighter Wing.-Lineage:...
(Pennsylvania), 104th104th Fighter SquadronThe 104th Fighter Squadron is an attack squadron equipped with the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Maryland Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 175th Wing.-Mission:...
(Maryland), 105th105th Airlift SquadronThe 105th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130H Hercules. It is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 118th Airlift Wing.-History:...
(Tennessee), 106th106th Air Refueling SquadronThe United States Air Force's 106th Air Refueling Squadron is an Air National Guard aerial refueling unit flying the KC-135R Stratotanker, out of Birmingham International Airport, Alabama.-History:...
(Alabama), 109th109th Airlift SquadronThe 109th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130H Hercules. It is a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 133rd Airlift Wing.-Mission:...
(Minnesota), 110th (Missouri),The 110th Observation Squadron was the only Federally recognized National Guard aviation unit that operated without a divisional air service as a higher echelon between 1923 and 1929, when divisional aviation services were no longer utilized. 111th (Texas), 113th (Indiana), 115th115th Airlift SquadronThe 115th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the California Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 146th Airlift Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
(California), 116th116th Air Refueling SquadronThe 116th Air Refueling Squadron flies the KC-135 Stratotanker. It is a unit of the Washington Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 141st Air Refueling Wing.-Federal mission:...
(Washington), 118th118th Airlift SquadronThe 118th Airlift Squadron flies the C-21A Learjet. It is a unit of the Connecticut Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 103rd Airlift Wing.-History:...
(Connecticut), and 120th120th Fighter SquadronThe 120th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the Colorado Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 140th Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.-Mission:...
(Colorado) Observation Squadrons. Except as noted, these observation squadrons were the operational units of the National Guard divisional air services listed above, in the same order.