Evening star., 1941-03-30
D. {. Air Squadron
Rushing EnIistments
To Complete Unit
Federal Recognition
Of New Force
Still Pending


Activities in the local National
Guard now are being directed to.
ward getting the only remaining
organization ready for acceptance
by the Federal Government anc
subsequent induction into the fielc
service with the other troops. This
organization, although not yet Off
cially a part of the local militia, is
rapidly being whipped into shape
1t was indicated at the local head
quarters.
Officials at brigade headquarters
indicated that they were yet with
out information as to when the
muster-in date might be fixed
While it was indicated that there
we're enough men on the list to per-
NIT 1t to be mustered in, it was
indicated that not all of the can
didateS would be accepted into this
new flying unit. Quite a few OF the
candidates, who have indicated a
willingness to enlist in the outfit
1t was indicated, might be rejected
as unsuitable for this branch of the
service.
There are said to be a number OF
vacancies in the organization. Some
of the personnel already selected
have already had experience in this
branch of the service, and some OF
the officers already hold commits
sions in the Army Air Corps Reserve
While some steps, it was said
have been taken to provide this
training place on the Government
experimental farm at BeltSvllle,
there appears to be some hitch in
the plans. which will involve some
construction, including a hangar in
which might be stored any aircraft
which might be assigned to the
organization for training purposes
and which it is likely that it will
take into the field when called.
AS the organization is a part OF
the goth National Guard Division
of which most of the District OF
Columbia units are part, it is eX-
pected that it will take its training
with that division at Fort George
G. Meade, Md.
The original plans, in connection
with the formation of the unit, II
was said, provided for the conStruc-
ton of hangar at the new WASH
ington Airport, which would nave
made it more accessible to the DIS
trict men on drill nights. Its loca-
ton on the BeltsVille farm, 1t was
said, will only make it more dlf1lcult
for the men to get to on drill nlghIS'
as public transportation to this area
is particularly difficult. But TINS
matter of transportation on drlll
nights apparently has been sub
merged to the important point OF
getting the organization reaoy 1oi
scceptance BY the Government.
1t. Albert Cox, a son OF Brig Gen;
Albert Cox, commander OF the Iocal
militia and District selectlVe service
of4cer has been assigned to the new
unit and plans are being mace 1or
him to attend one OF the Army
air schools within a short time.
Although some discharges are pc
INC made of members Of the DISTRICT
Guard units which already nave
been called into the service, II was
indicated at the local brigade head
quarters that none of the names
would be made public until all dls-
charges had been completed. Al
that time, it is planned TO issue
general order announcing the dis
charges of all concerned.
The force left at the local mead
quarters is engaged in getting the
necessary discharge and other pa
pers ready and bringing the RECORDS
of all of the men up to date. During
the interim that the troops are IN
the field, the records will be thor
oughlv checked by the force winch
has been left behind and they are
exnected to be in first-claSS shape
bv the time the troops are returned
to the city.
But even about this there appears
to be some uncertainty. Whlle orig
inally the authority provided Tor
the troops to remain in the field Tor
q year. the same period fixed 1or
the members of the selective service
group. there has been some talk
that they might be kept out longer
The War Department has indicated
that it is not ready to decide this
matter, but if the conditions con-
tinue in Europe, there still will b'
time to go to Congress and ask 1ol
the necessary authority for the eX'
tention. Much, perhaps, depends
upon the training conditions in the
field. If it is found that the troops
will be thoroughly seasoned within
the year, then they may be returned
at that time, leaving places for calls
of selective service men as they arr
brought into the service. Although
1t might be possible to send the en-
listed personnel back, and although
the officers may have reached
high state of efficiency, it may bt
found necessary to keep the lattel
In the field to take charge OF TIT
new selective service units.
This, then, would leave in the f1elt
only the Regular Army and the Sc
lective service men, together will
such Guard officers as are needed
to carry on the training work. l
Is no secret that many officers felt
when they left for field service, tina
they would not be back within th'
year. Although many of the Sc
lectees are being assigned to Guar'
units and are actively drilling will
them, it was said to be probable tina
they would have reached such
high state of efficiency during thei
period of training, that it might b.
possible to release the Guard unit
at the end of their year and con
tinue the selective service men TO
the duration of their period of train
ing without affecting the efticienc,
of the units.