The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-01-19
AIR units OUTLINED
Uncle Sam Decides on Equip
ment for Each Squadron.
Vast Amount Of Supplies Needed TO
Keep Twelve Alrplanes In Active
Operation In Field.

Uncle Sans military experts have
completed the frst standardized
schedule OF equipment for airplane
units ever adopted by the United
States army. BY adoption of the
schedule alrplane units win be as com.
pletely standardized as are regiments,
battallOns and companies OF infantry
which has never been done before.
Each airplane squadron viii have
the following equipment:
Twelve alrplahes.
Twenty-three motortrucks, including
a tank truck for fuel.
One seven-passenger automobile.
Seven motorcycles.
Twelve portable canvas hangers.
Two portable machine shops with
stock material and equipment.
Ten spare alrmotors.
Full assortment Of spare parts for
airplanes, motortrucks, automobiles,
and motorcycles.
Fuel and oil sufficient to last six
months.
Full Photographic, signal and other
equipment.
Twelve machine guns and ammuni-
ton.
Twelve rifles and ammunition.
Twelve shOtguns and ammunition.
Twelve revolvers and ammunition.
The mechanical equipment Of each
squadron, exclusive Of the ordnance
and quartermaster's supplies, will cost
approximately $465,OOO.
The statistics were complied after
observations were made of squadron
in actual practice on a war footing on
the Mexican border.
While the list furnishes an outline of
the equipment necessary for an aero
base for each squadron, 1t is intended
that the personnel for the operation of
this base shall not be drawn from the
squadron. 1t is intended that the
skilled mechanics shall be provided
through the mobilization from CONNER
clal factories in time Of war of re-
serve of men highly trained in the par
ucular DrancneS required.
On the basis of the regular army
list, National Guard air units must be
equipped. Before a state airplane COM
pany or squadron can be accepted as a
part Of the federallzed National Guard,
it must be able to produce for inspec-
tion the full equipment specified, and
the expense Of assembling and caring
for the material is so great that it is
regarded as unlikely that many states
will desire to develop this particular
branch of the military service, al
though congress has provided for -
air squadrOns, one to operate with
each of the u National Guard divi-
sions.
Plans are being perfected by the
war department by which National
Guardsmen who wish to enter the avi-
alton service will be educated by the
government. When a sufficient num-
Der of members of the Guard in any !
locality have complied with the neces-
sary preliminaries and passed the pre-
scribed examination, an airplane com
Dany of squadron equipment will be
supplied, complete in every detail, by |
he federal government, which will also |
bear the expense of maintenance. The
INIT will then be regarded as a reserve
IF the regular army, subject to the
,all Of the president only.
The tactical organization of the
lerial service, as at present projected,
makes the airplane company, the mate
'ial and personnel for the operation of
me airplane, the unit Twelve of these
form a squadron; three
iquadrOns - seventy-two companies
md airplanes form a brigade.