The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-30
HUNDREDS OF AERO
MECHANICS BEING
TRAINED IN TEXAS

KELLY FIELD, Tex, June 30
Every war has its unsung heroes and
prominent among those of the pres
ent struggle are the mechanics of
the aviation section who are toiling
and sweating down In sunny Texas
this summer where nothing ever
goes over the top but the tempera-
ture-
Approximately 1,40o Of these
heroes, whose names will never
adorn the front pages of the news
papers for deeds Of daring on the
battlefield. are preparing themselves
through the torrid heat OF a long
huge aerial army in fighting trim
while they themselves, five miles be-
hind the front line trenches. are
Drawing the busy Berthas OF the
Beche srtinerists and bombs of the
Hun flyers
One has to spend a few summer
months in Texas to appreciate what
this means, in the way of hardships.
Westinghouse might think their city
is hot in July and August. but COM
weather in Texas when the thermome-
ter is gyrating between 100 and 125
degrees Fahrenheit during most OF the
working day, the National Capital is
an Alaskan summer resort
Uncle Sam keeps his men physically
fit, however, and though suffering
great personal hardships, few men in
the army here ever succumb to the
heat
Every plane has to be thoroughly
overhauled and many parts removed
after 200 hours or less in the air-in
many cases. less. Thousands Of ex-
pert mechanics are required to do this,
as approximately forty men on the
ground are required to keep each flyer
in the air.
Approximately 1000 mechanics are
being graduated each month this
summer from the Enlisted Mechanics
Training School at this field These
men were taken from all walks OF
civil life, and those who show any
aptitude with tools at all are given
a thorough course in airplane and
motor mechanics. 1t is planned 10
have a large nucleus OF mechanics
to build squadrons from next fall,
when the aerial forces OF civilization
are expected to be greatly augmented
Owing to the extreme heat Of
Lone Star State summer. few recruits
have come into Kelly Field since the
early part Of May, and only those
who have been thoroughly acclimated
will be kept here this summer. In the
all It Is planned TO have an even
greater influx Of rockies than the
luge stream which poured in during
he winter and spring Just passed.
About-2S instructors and engineers
irawn from Americas. leading techni-
al colleges, Industrial establish
nents, airplane and automobile fac
cries are instilling into the sweat
ng and toiling mechanics every
angle OF the art of atrplane
md motor construction and repair.
Every man graduated from this
,ourse Will practically be an expert
n his line, and many will have dou-
lie their former earning power when |
hey get back into civil life.
The course takes from one TO two |
months. according TO the ability of |
he student OF the l 400 men taking |
he course, $50 are specializing on /
motors, 500 on airplanes, and $50 on |
motor transportation
On completion Of the course the me-
hanic Is assigned To a service squad
on, and either shipped overseas at
nee or sent to one Of the aviation
elds In this country for a few
lonths training with their squadron
efore going across.
Happy indeed are the men who
ave Kelly Field ready for duty over
cas- Not only are they assured of re-
eff from the intense heat and about
D realize the service for which they
but the simple pleasures of
fe represented in trips to town" are
OF denied them Ike they practically
re in San Antonio by the profitsering
lerchants.