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Lesson 4-1 The Army Air Corps

Lesson 4-1 The Army Air Corps. Lesson 4-1: The Army Air Corps. Key Learning Goals: Why was the Army Air Service created Who was Billy Mitchell and what did he do Describe key advancements in military aviation during the 1920s and 1930s Why did Army Air Service change to Army Air Corps

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Lesson 4-1 The Army Air Corps

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  1. Lesson 4-1 The Army Air Corps

  2. Lesson 4-1: The Army Air Corps Key Learning Goals: • Why was the Army Air Service created • Who was Billy Mitchell and what did he do • Describe key advancements in military aviation during the 1920s and 1930s • Why did Army Air Service change to Army Air Corps • Explain the reasons it took so long for the Air Force to become an independent service

  3. Quick Discussion The next slide will shows some of the some of the key milestones in aviation that you learned about in the previous lesson. How many milestones can you recall?

  4. Aviation Milestones after WWI • 1918 -- First Regular Airmail Service • 1923 -- First non-stop transcontinental flight • 1924 -- First Around-the-World Flight • 1926 -- First Polar flight • 1927 -- First non-stop transatlantic flight • 1929 -- First “Blind” flight • 1931 -- First non-stop transpacific flight • 1933 -- First all-metal aircraft (B-247) • 1937 -- First successful helicopter flight

  5. Quick Discussion After WWI, most countries turned inward. Why?? What was happening to military aviation after WWI?

  6. Quick Discussion As a military pilot, you had some ideas about the future potential of the airplane, but all you really wanted to do was keep flying. To keep flying, what did you do after the war? Why did the Army and Navy remain skeptical. After WWI, what did the President and Congress think the mission of the Army and Navy should be?

  7. State of US Military after WWI • Congress no longer emphasized national defense - WWI was the "War to end all Wars" • National defense based on three pillars: • the Navy’s battle fleet • the Navy’s coastal defenses • the Army’s coastal defenses • Funds were in short supply after the war • Army was tightfisted—didn’t want to pass $$ to its air arm • Many in Army thought of aircraft as longer-range artillery

  8. Military Air Power in the U.S. • 1907-1914: The Aeronautical Division, US Army Signal Corps • Started with balloons and added planes later • 1914-1918: The Aviation Section, US Army Signal Corps • It was up and running during World War I • 1918-1926: Army Air Service, US Army • An actual combat arm of the US Army • Gave Air Service more control, but it still answered to Army generals

  9. Quick Discussion You felt that the only way for aviation to achieve its full potential was to have aviators (pilots) command pilots => Become independentof the Army and Navy So how would you convince the President, Congress, Army and Navy leaders?

  10. Those of us in today’s Air Forceowe a debt of gratitude to a single person who had a vision of the Air Force of the future, who took his vision to American people in the 1920s, and led the effort to create today’s United States Air Force. Billy Mitchell

  11. Brig Gen Billy Mitchell • Brig Gen Billy Mitchell believed that air power would be crucial to winning any future wars • He believed it would be easier to direct air power if the Air Service were equal in stature to the Army and Navy • An independent service would also get a larger share of government money

  12. A Unique Biography • Born in 1879 in France and raised in Wisconsin • Dad was a US Senator • Enlisted in Army during 1898 Spanish-American War and earned an officer’s commission • While in Army Signal Corps in 1906, he predicted future wars would be fought in the air • Worked with Wright Brothers in 1908 in Virginia • Learned how to fly during WWI • Led 1500 aircraft against Germans at Saint-Mihiel • Earned temporary rank of General in 1918

  13. Demonstrations to Gain Independent Air Force • Mitchell launched a major public relations campaign for an independent air force • In 1921, he showed how aircraft could destroy naval ships • USS Iowa • German U-117, G-102, Frankfurt, and Ostfriesland • Navy admirals were not happy, but: • Convinced them they needed to build aircraft carriers • In 1923, Mitchell sunk two more battleships • The USS New Jersey and USS Virginia

  14. Lt. John A. Macready and Lt. Oakley Kelly Demonstrations to Gain Independent Air Force • 1923 non-stop flight across U.S. • 1st Lt Oakley Kelly and 1st Lt John Macready • Finally made New York to San Diego on third try • 26 hours, 50 minutes • 2,520 miles long

  15. Demonstrations to Gain Independent Air Force • In 1924, Mitchell wanted to show it was possible to fly around the world • Started and ended in Seattle, Washington • 4 planes started • 2 planes finished—the Chicago and New Orleans • 26,345 miles • 175 days

  16. Demonstrations to Gain Independent Air Force • 1924 transcontinental US flight in 1 day • New York to San Francisco • 1st Lt Russell Maughan in a Curtiss PW-8 aircraft • Why Important? • Showed that if the country were attacked on its coastlines, airplanes could fly in one day to defend it

  17. Creation of the Army Air Corps • 1925 Morrow Board – a group of experts who made three important proposals: • Rename Army Air Service to Army Air Corps • Give Army Air Corps a seat on the Army General Staff • Appoint an assistant secretary of war for air power • July 2, 1926 -- The Air Corps Act becomes law

  18. The Army Air Corps • Creation of the Army Air Corps was significant • Boosted idea that the air arm was no longer only in “service” to ground troops • The Air Corps could conduct independent missions • Corps:A branch or department of the armed forces having a specialized function

  19. Growth of the Army Air Corps • War shadows grew darker in Europe in 1938 • January 12, 1939, FDR spoke to Congress about the need to rebuild the US military • Called US military forces “utterly inadequate” • In April, Congress approved increasing the number of pilots from 1,200 to 3,203

  20. Civilian Flight Schools • Maj Gen Henry “Hap” Arnold, knew the Air Corps couldn’t train more than 550 pilots a year • So, how to solve the problem? • Use civilian flight schools? • Lawmakers said no, but Arnold went ahead with his plan anyway • July 1939--Congress finally authorized contracts for civilian flight schools

  21. Civilian Flight Schools • Step 1: Army physical and psychological test • Step 2: Attend civilian flight school to earn pilot license • Step 3: Military “check ride” • Step 4: Begin combat training at an Army base

  22. Civilian Reserve Pilots • In 1939 Air Corps tried another idea • Civilian Pilot Training Program • Civilians could volunteer to become civilian pilots • These pilots would be in “reserve” and available in case of a national emergency • By 1944, about 300,000 reserve pilots earned their private-pilot certificates

  23. African-American Pilots • Blacks not permitted in the Army Air Corps or in the Civilian Pilot Training Program • Two African-American pilots—Dale White and Chauncy Spencer—refused to accept this • In May 1939, they flew 3,000 miles to Washington D.C. • Convinced Senator Truman to get Congress involved • March 22, 1941 -- The 99th Pursuit Squadron of Tuskegee, Alabama, was born

  24. Military Aircraft Development in 1930s • A main focus of the Army Air Corps • Most airplane manufacturers were focusing on commercial aircraft • To get these manufacturers more involved in military aircraft, Army Air Corps held design competition for a new multiengine bomber • In 1935, Boeing built the Boeing 299 (4-engine) and won the Army competition easily

  25. The B-17 • The Air Corps ordered 13 of the B299 aircraft and renamed the plane the B-17 • Speed: 250 mph • Range: 3300 miles • Payload: 10,500 pounds • Ceiling: 30,000 feet • The Air Corps could finally fly long-range strategic bombing missions using one of the most important aircraft of all time

  26. The B-17 The B-17 at the time was faster than any pursuitaircraft or fighter plane in the US

  27. Pursuit Planes • The B-17 made the Army realize that it needed better pursuit planes • It signed contracts for the Curtiss P-36 and the Seversky P-35 (The “P” stands for “pursuit”) • These aircraft would guard American bombers and attack enemy bombers

  28. The Air Force’s Path Toward Independence • After Brig Gen Mitchell’s resignation in 1926, others, like Gen “Hap” Arnold carried on his ideas forward • With the B-17, Mitchell’s vision of long-range bombing missions could become a reality • Air power could be used as an offensive weapon • 20 June 1941: Army Air Corps becomes Army Air Forces • Remained under the command of the Army • Could now oversee its own functions in combat, training, and maintenance • 1st Commander: Maj Gen “Hap” Arnold

  29. Creation of GHQ Air Force • In 1935, War Department formed a General Headquarters Air Force (GHQ) • GHQ remained in Air Corps and answered to Army • GHQ would command the aerial combat arm • Air Corps would retain training and logistical duties • GHQ set up at Langley Field, Virginia • Langley today is where Air Combat Command is located • 1st Commander of GQ: Gen Frank Andrews • Andrews AFB is in Wash DC where Air Force One is located

  30. Creation of the United States Air ForceSept 18, 1947 • National Security Act of 1947 gave the Air Force complete autonomyand independence as an equal fighting force with the US Army and Navy

  31. Next…. • Done—the Army Air Corps • Next—air power in World War II

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