Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-13

| involving the aircraft of both
forces, were held prior to the gen.
eral exercises.
The necessity for close CO.
operation between airplane car
rierS and other units Of the fleet,
! if aircraft are to be used prop
erly, was demonstrated by the eX-
erciSeS in the Caribbean, accord
ing to reports received here by the
Navy Department. There is de-
ciSive reduction in the effective
ness of the air force Of the feet,
according to a report from the
commander Of the aircraft squad
rons when the fleet Is prevented
from using destroyers freely for
scouting and for extending the
safe distance Of search by air
planes.
Fleet Exercises Held.
This was demonstrated, he re-
ported, in an engagement between
the Blue Air Force, represented
by the Saratoga and Langley and
their air SquadronS, and the
Black Fleet, represented by the
airplane carrier, Lexington, and
airplanes from the battleships
and cruisers of the fleet.
Scouts from the Lexington
located the Saratoga and Langley
when all but the Langley search
| ing planes were on deck after
landing from a dawn patrol and
before sufficient information had
been obtained to justify their
being sent out again. Due to the
lack of information it was feared
that If they were sent out again
at random they might run short
of fuel and be forced down at sea
before locating the Black Fleet.
The Black scouting forces
caught the Saratoga entirely I'M
prepared and simulated attack
Immediately with bombs before
the Saratoga'S planes could be
1aunched to beat of the attack.
The umpire ruled that the forward
part Of the flight deck had been
damaged, and before the planes
could be cleared for taking of
from the unchanged after portion
of the deck a light bombing squad
ron from the Lexington arrived
and completed destruction, theo-
retically, of the remainder Of the
flight deck. The Langley also was
ruled out of action as a result Of
a bombing attack before her
planes could be launched.
Not only did the problem dem
onstrate the need for adequate
scouting and information, accord
ing to the report, but it also DEM
onstrated the vulnerability of the
flight deck Of a carrier, "the de-
ciSion of the umpire after attack
by only three enemy scouting
planes making it impossible to
launch aircraft from the Saratoga
before she was attacked In force
by enemy planes"
| Air Efdciency Lauded.
Commander aircraft squadrons
ID well pleased with the EN-
cheney displayed by all units Of
his command during the prob
len," the report continued, "and
Is proud, In addition, Of the COM
plete and successful manner in
which the Lexington performed
her mission for the Black Fleet.
It is particularly pertinent to note
the comment Of commander air
craft Squadrons, Scouting Fleet,
to the effect that, broadly speak
ing, It Is fortunate that one air
force was decisively defeated,
since thereby the fleet al Q whole
may be impressed with the tire
mendouS advantage In main &C
ton achieved by that side which
had command Of the air"
The Army Air Corps has con-
centrated more than $50 planes
Of all types at Mather Field, Sac
ramento, Calf, including approx
imately $50 fighting planes, for
exercises which will end about
April 26.
The past two weeks have been
devoted to training Of the various
battle elements and to elementary
tactical problems. This week
brings the climax Of the ma
neuvers-the first coast defense
problem to be worked out In this
country by Army planes unSup-
ported by ground forces.
Need for Training Urged.
The Importance to the country
Of the California maneuverS has
been pointed out by Brig. Gen.
william e. Gilmore, assistant
chief Of the Army Air Corps for
training and operations and COM
mander Of the provisional wing
which has been organized at
Mather Field.
II the Air Corps Is to be effec-
tive in time Of emergency, Gen.
Gilmore said, all combat aviation
elementS-purSuit, attack, bonn
bardment and obServation-must
be trained to work together. In
peace times these units are scat
tered all over the country and it
Is only through such maneuvers
as those now in progress on the
West Coast that concerted train
ing Of all units can be carried out.
Another factor that is a prime
necessity to the Air Corps" Gen.
Gilmore said in a speech a few
days ago In California, "is the
future development Of equipment.
The performance Of the airplane
Is constantly improving. It is only
through joint operations that the
absolute necessity of developing
increased speed, climb or weight
carrying capacity In planes Of va
riouS types and other factors
which will determine success or
failure In time Of war can be
definitely determined"