The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-28
RICHMOND AVIATION
UNIT GIVEN IMPETUS;
MAY SECURE PLANES

Establishment of an aviation unit in
Richmond was planned by a group OF
interested ex-service men of army.
navy and marine corps units who met
in the offices of Floyd Showalter Tues
day evening. A census of those pres
ent demonstrated the fact that nucleus
of the personnel for at least one flight
was interested enough to attend the
meeting while it is thought men to
fill all positions are available in this
territory.
Four pilots. and one flight surgeon,
sufficient for the commissioned per-
sonnet, were at the meeting, as well
as men who had seen service as
mechanicians, electricians and other
services, even mess sergeant and
top sergeant-although they asked
that the positions they had held be
kept quiet"
A second meeting will be held at
the same place on the evening of
Thursday, July 6, when a skeleton or
ganiZation is expected to be COM
pleted. Names of all ex-service men
who are possible members Of the pro-
posed unit were divided among the
present, who agreed to visit them
personally and attempt to interest
enough to complete one flight of a
squadron.
May Secure Planes
1t was stated that a number of
planes and other equipment are under
stood to be held in storage by the
army and available for the use of re-
serve units This material, which in
cludes besides planes, hangers, autos
and trucks, and other equipment need
ed for a unit, may be released after
July 1, it is understood.
A reserve unit at Indianapolis al
ready has been equipped with army
planes. Richmond, on the direct route
between Dayton and Indianapolis, the
center of a large territory which may
be expected to support the unit, and
also located on the most favored line
for transcontinental air mail service,
should have little difficulty, once an
organization is formed, in getting
named as the location of 6. reserve air
unit, it is thought, and securing the
four planes and other equipment of
flight
To Receive Applications
Applications for the positions which
it is necessary to fill in order to en-
sure approval of Richmond unit,
will be received by Mr.. Showalter at
923 East Main street until July 6. A
little over half a hundred men will be
needed, and will include the following
ratings: one master sergeant, flight
chief, eight staff sergeants, crew
chiefs, one staff administration ser
geant, one staff supply sergeant; ser
geant, airplane mechanic; sergeant
engine mechanic; sergeant armorer;
general mechanic sergeant; radio ser
geant. and mess sergeant; two cor
porals, airplane mechanics; two cor
porals, airplane engine mechanics
one armorer corporal and one store
keeper corporal
Occupations represented among the
prfvates, with the number of men re
quired for EACH are as follows: air
plane engine mechanics, five; airplane
ringers, three; armorers, three; three
clerks, two electricians and ignition
experts; one each of blacksmith, cop
persmith. bugler, cabinet worker, car
penter, fabric worker. instrument re
pair man, metal worker and welder
Three cooks, two radio mechanics anC
a radio operator; two medical detach
ment men and II privates of miscel
laneous service, are also included.