Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1916-11-03
STANDARDIzE AER0S
FOR THE u. S. ARMY
War Department Completes
First Schedule.
(ey Internal onaI News Service J

and companies of infantry, which has
never been done before
Each aeroplane squadron VIII have
the following equipment
II aeroplanes.
% motor trucks, including a tank
truck for fuel
l seven passenger automobile
motor cycles
u portable canvass hangers.
2 portable machine shops with
stock material and equipment.
10 spare aero motors
Full assortment of spare parts for
aeroplanes, motor trucks. automobile
and motorcycles.
Fuel and oil sufficient 10 last six
months.
Full Photographic, signal and other
equipment.
II machine guns and ammunition
Il rifles and ammunition
u shot guns and ammunition.
Il revolvers and ammunition.
The mechanical equipment of each
squadron, exclusive of the ordinance
and quartermasters supplies, will
cost approximately $465,0o0
The statistics compiled after OBJ
servations were made of squadron
in actual practice on war footing
on the Mexican border. On the basis
of what was necessary for that nit.
equipment is now being assembled at
San Antonio for the two additional
regular army aeroplanes, squadrons.
recently authorized, operating Il fly
ing machines The 1900 men neces-
sary to form the two squadrons are
now being sent TO San Antonio as rap
idly as they can be recruited.
The reasons given by the officials
for giving each squadron supplies suf
ficient to last six months follow.
Experience with an aero squadron
in garrison and in the field has dem.
instrated that an aero squadron, up
on receipt of orders for field service.
should be equipped with sufficient
quantity of supplies to maintain if
for at least six months. One-haH Of
these supplies can be easily carried
into the zone OF advance on the
squadron truck transportation, the
remainder should be held at The
base as an available reserve. during
the time the base is being equipped
and organized.
Explaining the condition met By
the first aero squadron in Mexico.
which led 10 the compilation of the
equipment list.
The first Aera Squadron. while OPP
Grating within the zone of tbo line
of communications of the Dunatiye
expedition, found it necessary to es-i
tablish three 'rehlHng stations be-
tween the base and division head
quarters, and this may be considered
as normal condition that viii be-
encountered with any similar ezpe-
dition. The advance of the expedi- /
ton from Columbus. y. NJ. to Par
raj, Mexico, distance of approx
mately 500 miles, was as severe Al
test of supply and maintenance as
would normally be encountered"
While the list furnishes an ou,-
line Of the equipment necessary for
an aero base for each squadron. if
is intended that the personnel FOR
the operation of this base, shall MOI
be drawn from the squadron 1t is
intended that the skilled mechanics
shall be provided through the mobH-
ization from commercial factories
in time of war of a reserve of men
highly trained in the particular bran.
ches required
On the basis of the regular army
list, National Guard aero units mus,
be equipped Before state aero
company or squadron can be accept.
ed as part of the federalizad Ma
tional Guard, it must be able To pro
duce for inspection the full equip
ment specified, and the expense Of
assembling and caring Cor the mater
ial is SO great that it is regarded as
unlikely that many states Will de
sire TO develope this particular
branch Of the military service, al
though congress has provided for
twelve aero squadrons. one 10 oper-
ate with each Of the twelve National
Guard divisions.
Plans are being perfected by tbe
War Department by which National
Gardsmen who wish to enter tbe ay-
iation service will be educated by the
government When a sufficient NUM-
Der Of members of the guard IN any
locality have complied with the mo-
eessary preHminaries and passed the
prescribed examination in areo com
pany or squadron equipment Will b.