Evening star., 1941-08-24
D. T.. Guard Airmen
Enthused Over
Field Duty Orders
Troops Will Be
Reudy TO Deport
Soon After Inducted

Full of enthusiasm over the fact
that they are soon to be in the field
where they will be able to go through
daily their tasks of flying, men,
berS of the 12lst Observation
Squadron of the District National
Guard are getting their equipment
ready for shipment to Pope Field
at Fort Bragg. N c., where they
will be temporarily located.
AS the induction date has been
definitely set for September /, ii
was said that they do not expect
much equipment to be received
here from now on because it will
have to be reshipped to their new
destination.
Much of their regular equipment
will be ready for them or will be
sent to their new post shortly after
they arrive there, so that they can
get on with their training almost
Immediately. This will include q
number of additional planes. It
also will include a large amount
of automotive equipment. not the
least of which is full photo
graphic laboratory on motor
truck, so that 1t can be taken to any
base in the field and be prepared
to handle quickly any pictures which
the airmen take. Also it was said
there is to be a complete radio
station, equipped so that it can
send and receive messages to the
planes of the outfit while they are
in the air.
No Automotive Equipment.
Because no automotive equipment
has yet been received here 1t is
planned to send the major part OF
the personnel to the new post by
train. Certain of the officer person
mel will fly the two planes which
were assigned here some time ago
Now that they are about to leave
the city. members point out that
the citizens might show some recog-
milton of their efforts to bring an
air organization here. even against
great odds, by providing them with
some of the sports gear which will
be needed for their enjoyment while
in the field.
They are in need of athletic
equipment, such as baseballs, bats.
and uniforms. With the football
season also approaching they will
need football gear.
The officers say the organization
was brought here by the local flyers
with practically no support from the
city government which opposed al
location of funds for the construc-
ton of hangar and headquarters
for them.
Forced Into Maryland.
1t was pointed out that the Off
GERS had to go into Maryland, and
with Federal funds, start the loca-
tion of a site for their training when
they return from their field train
ing. The plant there has been un-
der way for some time on the site of
the Agricultural Experimental Farm
at Beltsville. 1t was added that
considerable additional funds will
have to be spent on it when the
troops return; that it, of course, If
there is no demand for disarma-
ment again after the present world
conflict ends.
Of11cers pointed out that the
local outfit is in such good condition
from preparedness standpoint,
that they expect to be ready to leave
the city within a few days after
September /, and will not require
the full 10 days which was allo-
Gated by the War Department as a
limit when troops must be in the
field after their formal induction.
After a period at Fort Bragg, 1t
was said, the troops would be sent
to their permanent camp at Colum-
bia, S. c., where field headquarters,
hangers and other utilities have
been under construction for some
time. They say that they are yet
without information as to the per-
centage of completion of the pro-
Ject, but the fact that they are
being sent to Fort Bragg indicates
oiAdb eiic 4udl tCIS all tiOO dfdildDlC
for the troops at least.
Oficers here are without infor-
nation as to whether any of the
District of Columbia troops will be
returned home shortly after the first
of the year under the new Army
plan. While it appears to be prob
able that officers will be retained in
the field to carry on the training
and instruction work for the new
selectees, there has been indica-
tion that the troops may be re-
turned. This has raised the ques-
ton, it was said, as to what plan
will be formulated for carrying on
the drill work of the organized
guard when they return to the city.
Certainly, it was said. the orsaniza-
tions and smaller units will need
officers, but these might be COM
u,issinnsd from the ranks. 1t was
G1paAined