Page:Legislative History of the AAF and USAF.djvu/12

 �This Page Declassified lAW EO12958 advantage over the protagonists of air power and were long successful in keeping it in a subordinate role despite considera- ble public and congressional sentiment favor of building up a strong air arm wth independent status, or at least one with a large degree of autonomy. In the interval between the two Wortd Wars a total of well over 50 measures pro- posing either to organize the ar arm as a separate executive department of aviation or to make t one of three coordinate branches (Army, Navy, and Air) in a partment of national defense were intro- duced m Congress. There were also numer- ous investigations, studies, and reports made by congressional committees, and by executive and Army boards, on the subject of air power and the best way to use it in our defense system. No action resulted, however, as those in authority, especially the War Department General Staff, stoutly resisted all such proposals until very near the end oœ the perrod2  Although legislative proposals for a separate air arm rafted of enactment, Con- gress did pass legislation reeogmzing the increasing military importance of air power. After the Army Reorganization Act of 1920 the next important pmce of aviation lation was the Air Corps Act of July 2, 1926. This act changed the name Air Service to Air Corps and emphasized the role of that service in maintaining an air force with great potential strfiung power rather than for the performance of auxiliary services for other branches of the Army. As in the Air Service, the Chxef of the Ar Corps was to have the rank of major general, and there were to be three assistant chiefs with the rank of brigadier general. The chief, two of his assistants, and at least 90 per cent of the officers in each grade were to be fly- mg officers (qualified pilots). Flying units were m all cases to be commanded by flying officers. The regular personnel strength of the Air Corps was to be the ,.tame as that established for the Atr Service by the Army Reorganization Act of 19.0. Various other provisions concerning per- sonnel were made. It was specified that of- ficers of the Air Corps could be given tern- porary rank in accordance with their duties and responsxbilities, provided that this tem- porary rank was not more than two grades above their permanent rank. In time of peace 20 per cent of the total number of pilots employed in tactical units were to be enlisted men. The Secretary of War was directed to investigate and study the "al- leged injustices" existing in the Army pro- motion ht, and to report to Congress thereon. Flying pay, amounting to 50 per cent of their regular pay, was to be re- ceived by all officers and enlisted men of the Air Corps, as well as of the other serv- ices, when their duties required them "to participate regularly and frequently in aeml flights." Greater reco2 mltion of air power's in- creasing importance in natrenal defense was shown by the fact that, under this act, the Air Corps was given staff representa- tion through a provision that an air section headed by an Air Corps officer should be set up in each division of the War Department General Staff. Also the position of Assistant Secretary of War for Air was reestablished (this position had been abolished by the Army Reorganization Act of June 4, 1920). The Air Corps Act also made provisions for an Air Corps expanswn program by authorizing increases m personnel and equipment, to be distributed over a five- year period Under this program, the allot- ment of officers (1,516) to the Air Corps could be increased by 403 officers distrib- uted in grades from colonel to second lieu- tenant, and the allotment of enlisted per- sotreel (16,000) by 6,240 men. The act also authorized the President to call up Ior active duty a maximum of 450 air Corps Reserve Officers as needed. The five-year program also provided for an increase of planes to a strength not ex- ceeding 1,800 serviceable airplanes, as many airships and balloons as the Secretary of War considered necessary for training pur- poses, and the spare parts, equipment, sup- plies, hangars, and installations necessary for their supply and maintenance. But, as will be seen, this expansion program was not implemented by adequate appropria- tions, and at the end of the five years the THIS PAGE Declassified lAW EO12958