San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-16
Will See If Basic Allow
ance Is Sufficient for
Flight in the Field.
LEAVE NEXT WEEK
Practically All Of Attack
Group Will Be Attached
for Maneuver.

What is destined TO be the largest
and most significant experimental
maneuver conducted at Kelly Field
in months vii begin next week when
the entire Thirteenth Squadron, sup
ported by a large motor transport
train. will take off on a cross country
flight with Laredo as the destination.
The flight is to test the basic tables
of allowance for the Air Service, and
to determine whether fully equipped
attack squadron, which includes its
transport trains, can operate proper
IL in the field on the present allow
ances prescribed by the War Depart
ment.
A special study will be made of
every phase Of this problem and
report will be made to the Chief of
Air Service. The results Of this ex-
tensive experiment will have signi-
ficant bearing upon the future basic
tables of allowance for attack squad
rons. the flight will establish definite
" the amount of equipment required
by full strength squadron while op-
Grating in the field.
Fill Squadron Up.
Arrangements for the flight arc
being made by the Third Group At
tack of which the Thirteenth Squad
ron is unit. In order that the
Thirteenth Squadron may be sent to
the field atlas nearly full war time
strength as possible. it has been found
necessary TO detail virtually the whole
Attack Group TO this one squadron
for the duration of the flight. A suf-
ficient number of officers and men
will be left to perform the necessary
routine duty.
The, operation will be commanded
by Capt. L. $. Harvey Of the Attack
Group. The motor transport train
which will be the supporting base for
the fleet while it is in the field is to
consist of 80 pieces of transportation.
1t had not been definitely decided
Friday morning on Just what day the
test will begin but it is probable il
will be started early in the coming
week. Neither had it been decided
exactly how long the fleet will be in
the field. 1t is certain that two stops
of at least one day will be made on
the way to Laredo. and two on the
way back. 1t is not at present known
where these stops will be made.
Martin Bomber Along.
Plans are that an advanced echelon
Of one plane locate landing fields.
mark them and direct the supply
train there. The supply train, operat-
ing ahead of the fleet. will take up
station at the landing field designated
by the advanced echelon of the
squadron, and establish a temporary
airdrome to be occupied by the squad
ron the following day. The supply
train will then move on in advance
Of the planes and establish another
airdrome on the field
designated by the advanced echelon.
The same plan of operating will be
on the return flight but the
temporary airdromes will already have
been located
The Martin bombing plane at Kelly
Field will be an important unit of
he fleet while in the field. and will
De used to transport rations from the
lone base 10 the squadron operating
n the field. Field equipment of all
kinds. spare parts and repair tools |
will be carried by the motor trans |
ports.
According TO present plans the |
light TO Laredo will involve 49, en-
listed men and approximately IS !,
,fficers. all of whom are of the /
Third Group Attack.
The fleet itself. made up as near |
ull war strength as possible. will |
consist of three flights of five planes
ZACH. the one plane that will make
up the advanced eschelon, and one
headquarters plane which will be the
Martin bomber.