Evening star., 1936-09-06

planes, which we expect to attain be-
tween 1910 and 1912. Our estimated
present number is 1,205, as of July /,
1886. A year from that date, July l,
1887 it is estimated that we will have
1,464.
TOR the full treaty strength we
should need 1890 pilots and
measures are now in hand which will
provide the number required for any
given number of aircraft. These
measures consist not only Of con-
tinuing to recruit pilots from the
regular Navy but also the employment
on active duty for certain periods of
Navy cadets. The Army Reserve cadets
are similarly recruited and trained
and they have analogous objectives.
In other words, we are all defending
the same country. The Navy is pre-
pared as always to patrol the sea ap-
proaches to the continental United
States and our overseas possessions,
but there will inevitably be situations
where cooperation between Army
air forces and Navy will be essential.
Before the advent of aviation the
patroling forces consisted of surface
vessels and submarines, but these are
now augmented by the Navy flying
boats. Both surface and air, these
forces automatically provide off-shore
observation for the enemy's approach.
In case the Navy force was too weak
to meet this enemy, the Army would
be called upon for all available air
forces to assist, even as the Navy
would come to its aid in case of need"
what about the use Of dirigibles?"
7 asked him.
1.-THE round trips Of the Hindenburg
to this country properly arouse inter-
est and give particular prominence
and emphasis to the report of the
Durand Committee, submitted in jan
uary, upon which the Navy will very
soon announce rigid airship policy.
have a strong feeling that the pos
sibilities of dirigibles have yet to be
recognized and fully explored. The
performances of the Graf and the
Hindenburg furnish evidence as to
their commercial usefulness and Incl
dentally indicate their role for military
purposes as the scout cruisers of the
air."
Only block away, In the Munitions
Building, is the Office of Maj. Gen.
Oscar Westover, chief of the Army Air
Corps. When I asked him what he
considered the most vital need for air
defense, he answered: 1.-THE perfec-
ton. of the organization, equipment
and training of the present General
Headquarters Air Force to a point
where 1t will be In readiness at all
times to meet the requirements Of the
commander Of the field forces Of the
United States. believe that to have
q f1rst-line flying air force, which
win provide sufficient protection to
meet any attack at the present time,
we should have 1880 airplans, includ-
ing National Guard, but not naval
aircraft. To man these planes we
need 1850 Regular Army pilots, 1850
In the organized reserve and q maxi
mum Of 2,50o flying cadets.
TN THESE figures I include q small
number of Regular Army ofs1cers
who do not have a pilots rating, but
are engaged In important administra-
tive and technical duties At present,
no officers are being commissioned in
the Regular Army Air Corps who do
not have pilots rating. SO that with
in q few years all on active duty will
have it, even though some Of them,
through accumulated physical defects.
will no longer be active pilots. For
mechanics and other ground crew.
10000 enlisted men Of all rShks are