WW2: ORGANIZATION OF ARMIES

Air Observation Squadron, Special¹

 21 February 1942

Table of Organization 1-287

 

Table title changed from 15 June 1943 (Change1):

Army Air Forces

Reconnaissance Squadron, Separate

 

1. Administrative

1.1 Squadron Headquarters

1.2 Mess Section

1.3 Transportation Section

2. Technical

2.1 Engineering Section

2.2 Supply Section

2.3 Communication Section

2.4 Armament and Chemical Section

2.5 Photographic Section

3. Flight

3.1 Operations and Intelligence Section

3.2 Flight A

3.3 Flight B²

3.4 Flight C³

 

Total Squadron: 24 Officers, 163 Enlisted, 187 Carbines, 72 Aircraft machine guns, 1 Light car, 1 Truck 0,25-ton, 3 Trucks 0,75-ton, 2 Trucks 1,5-ton, 3 Trucks 2,5-ton cargo, 12 Airplanes, 3 Trailers

 

4. Attached Medical

 

Total Squadron (with Medical): 25 Officers, 171 Enlisted, 187 Carbines, 72 Aircraft machine guns, 1 Light car, 1 Truck 0,25-ton, 3 Trucks 0,75-ton, 2 Trucks 1,5-ton, 3 Trucks 2,5-ton cargo, 2 Field ambulances, 12 Airplanes, 3 Trailers, 1 Squadron aid station

 

Note:

 

1. 1 air observation squadron, special, is to be assigned to each of the following special service school: Cavalry School, Coast Artillery School, Field Artillery School, Infantry School
2. Not authorized for Coast Artillery School; substitute airplane, observation, 2-engine, equipped for towing - requiring addition of aircraft mechanics to comprise ground crew for 2-engine airplanes, and combat crew as follows: 1 pilot, 1 copilot, 1 enlisted man, engineer, 1 enlisted man, radio operator, 1 enlisted man, armorer.
3. Not authorized for Field Artillery School; substitute airplane, light observation, single engine. Substitute flight B for flight C.
4. Change2 20 December 1943: Redesignate the communication officer, first lieutenant as personal equipment officer (Responsible for inspection of all personal flying equipment of crews on each mission);
5. 24 Officers = 1 Major + 6 Captains + 13 1^st Lieutenants + 4 2^nd Lieutenants;
6. 25 Officers (with Medical) = 1 Major + 7 Captains + 13 1^st Lieutenants + 4 2^nd Lieutenants;
7. 163 Enlisted = 1 Master Sergeants + 11 Technical Sergeants (including 1 First Sergeant) + 18 Staff Sergeants + 36 Sergeants + 53 Corporals + 44 Privates First Class and Privates;
8. 171 Enlisted (with Medical) 1 Master Sergeants + 11 Technical Sergeants (including 1 First Sergeant) + 18 Staff Sergeants + 37 Sergeants + 56 Corporals (including 2 Technical Grade 5) + 48 Privates First Class and Privates;
9. 72 Aircraft machine guns = 28 cal. .30 fixed + 20 cal. .30 flexible + 24 cal. .50 fixed;
10. 3 Trucks 0,75-ton  = 2 Carry all +  1 Weapon carrier;
11. 2 Trucks 1,5-ton = 1 Cargo +  1 Panel delivery;
12. 3 Trucks 2,5-ton cargo = 1 with winch + 2 without winch;
13. 3 Trailers = 2x 1-ton cargo + 1 250-gallon water tank;
14. 12 Airplanes = 4 Observation airplanes 2-engine (light bombardment) + 4 Light observation airplane single engine + 4 Dive bombardment airplanes, single engine;
15. The combat crews for each airplanes will consist of: for 2-engine observation (1 pilot + 1 observer gunner + 1 radio operator-gunner, 1 armorer-gunner), for single-engine bombardment (1 pilot + 1 armorer-gunner) and for light observation single-engine (1 pilot).

 

 

 

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