Evening star., 1933-04-30

The communications section operates
the radio range be3cons, which make
possible bad weather operations along
the airways. the weather and communi-
cations broadcasting service and the
teletype ground service, which makes
possible the collection and dissemina-
ton of airways weather information,
position reporting of airplanes and other
service which have come to be indis-
penSable to air transport operations.
1t has been suggested that the mill
munications service be organized into a
single Reserve unit SO that in time of
trouble requiring military mobilization
they might be taken over as body and
continued on duty in the airways serv-
ice, at the same time becoming avail
able for duty as instructors of military
personnel In addition to their regular
functions.
In this manner the functioning Of the
airways would be assured during the
period Of emergency, when they would
be more than ever Of value to the Ma
tion and at the same time the military
services would be assured of the serv-
ices of the splendid body of highly
trained specialists for instruction pur-
poses or for other duty after substitute
personnel had been trained for airway
duty.
The matter is regarded by airways Of
f1cials as being of sufficient importance
to the country as whole to warrant a
thorough study of the problems involved
and the working out Of an emergency
plan IN case Of need.
Transport Squadron Created.
The new Army Air Corps policy look
ing to the establishment Of an air trans
port group has borne its first fruit with
the creation at the San Antonio Air
Depot, Duncan Field, Tex, Of the I'd
Provisional Transport Squadron, it has
been announced by Air Corps head
quarters here
At present Army air transport activi-
ties In various parts of the country are
conducted under direction of the COM
basis of meeting current needs and
without any organized transport policy
The Air Corps has organized transport
units on an experimental basis during
the holding of field maneuvers of large
air forces, and the new transport policy
Is result of such experiments.
While the Duncan Field squadron is
regarded still as an experimental prof.
ect and its organization, as indicated by
the squadron designation, is merely pro-
visional. 1t Is expected to be followed
by the creation Of similar squadrons at
the other three great Air Corps depots
at Middletown. Pa: Fairfield, Ohio, and
Rockwell Field, Calf.
With the creation of these four
scuadronS there will come into being
the 1st Provisional Air Transport Group
which will be an experimental and
embryonic organization subject, If sue
cessful, to great expansion in time OF
necessity. The basic function of the
group will be the supplying Of tactical
organizations Of the Air Corps In the
field. A secondary function. and per-
haps the most important function OF
the transport units during peace times
will be the transportation of supplies
from the depots to Air Corps stations
In their control areas. Such a trans
port service has been In operation for
many months from the depots, trans
port planes making regular rounds for
the CARRYING OF spare parts, materials
Tor supply and requirements. motors
and equipment requiring overhauling
and repair at the depots and for other
service between the repair depots and
flying fields.
Faster Transports Used.
The I'd Provisional Air Transport
Squadron has as its commanding off,
Ger and operations oficer the operations
omcer Of Duncan Field. Its personnel
Is made up Of enlisted pilots assigned
to the depot for general transport duty.
The Air Corps not only Is changing
It's policy as regards transport organ
ization but also is making changes in