Evening star., 1941-07-27
D. T.. Guard Aero
Squadron 10 Get
Another AirpIane
Advanced Training
Ship to Be Added
To Equipment Here

Gradually the 121st Observation
Squadron of the District National
Guard expects to gather together
enough planes with which to keep
the flying personnel ready for field
training or any other duty which the
War Department may feel called
upon to assign it. Notice was re-
ceived last week that another plane
will be sent here and it will be put
into service Immediately. AS far as
known at this time, the unit will
continue to base its equipment at
Boiling Field
The new plane, it was said. is
an advanced dual-control training
plane With the arrival of more
planes, it will be possible to give the
ground personnel more time and ex-
perience in the air. While there are
certain personnel now required to
take to the air, it was pointed out
that giving them flights gives them
first-hand knowledge of the condi-
tions which must be met by the
actual flyers. and serves to train
them better to handle the main
tenance work while they are on the
ground and in the shops.
Taking Short Flights.
During the past several weeks, al
most all Of the ground personnel of
the local organization have been
given short flights, but there are still
few to have their first ride. 1t had
been intended 10 take them up in
the air last Sunday, but it was said
that they could not find time to
present themselves at Boiling Field.
For those who can find time to get
away today. there will be pilots at
the field ready to take them up.
Aside from the actual flying the
members are giving every possible
minute during their regular drill
period each week to perfecting their
organization and taking the courses
outlined for the various specialists.
which are sandWiched in between
the regular drill work of the soldiers.
With the inductance order eX-
pected at almost any time, the of
flcers are trying to round out the
organization so that it will have its
full complement of enlisted men
when it is called into the service.
Carpenters and cooks are badly
needed, although there was said to
be some vacancies for privates who
have no special training of any
kind, even as technicians. but who
would like to go into the air service
from an outfit from their own home
town.
1t had been expected that the
local aero outfit would be in the
service by this time and officers in
dicated that they were unable to
determine the reason for the delay.
especially in view of the fact that
the President is trying to have Con-
gress extend the time for the Guard
in the field
ArmOry Not Completed.
1t was explained that il the serv-
ice OF the local units is to be ended
upon completion of their one year
OF training they will have to return
to their old armories,. as the new
building will not be completed. The
first unit which would return under
the one-year limitation is the 26Oth
Coast Artillery, which is quartered
at Fort Bliss, Tex. The armory of
this unit is located on the Wash
lngton Channel water front and
since it departed from the city a
branch OF the War Department has
been moved into the building. The
return of the troops would seriously
complicate the Office needs. There
is a large garage at the rifle range
at Camp Simms, Congress Heights
D. c., where at least a part of the
equipment might be stored and ad-
ditional buildings are being erected
there.
Not even the drill hall will be
ready for the troops and equipment
cannot be stored there, it was said.
because the contract has Just been
let for the laying of the floor, which
will take some months. The troops
quarters Of the new armory are not
expected to be completed before