Field Service Regulations, Operations - FM 100-5 War Department Field Manual

70. The air force is the largest taciical unit of. the Anny Air Forces. It may coniain a strategic air force, a tactical air force, an air dck'n'ie command, and an;iir service command. The orfjanization of an air force is not rigid but conforms lo ihc task io he performed. The combined action of these forces is necessary for the successful accotnplishmcin of the air mission and for missions coortlinated with jG;roinid anti sea forces. The air commander is resjjonsible for tlic conjunction and cooperation of tlie stibordinate air forces. TItc coordination of air, ground and sea forces is a fu:ution of Command and is ihc responsibility of the theater or task force commander exercising command over these three forces. 71. The Armv Air Forces opoiate asf;iinst hostile air power, sea power, and land power indej endently or in conjunction with ground and na al forces. 72, Air operations may be resiricied l)y hostile air lorce operations. h aiiiiaircrafi measures, by the lark of air bases, and l) adverse weather f)iidiiions. 73, The inherent (lexibilin of air power is its greatest;!'isef, Its nidbilit). sp-jcd. and range make it jossil le to apply air power in mass against selected arca.s in turn. To exploit tltis capability ftdly ilie control of available air jjower is centralized and command is exercised throus;li the air force commander..

Sticcessfttl ceturalvei! oiiirol akn Involves flexible advance pintis suliicientiv tletailed to meet any development. 74. Definition of air forte luniis: a. Combat aviation iritis to bonibardiiKjnt and lighter aviation. b. Bomhdfdmcnt nviaiian a[jplies to aircraft and units whose primary function i.s the attack of surface oljjectives. c. rightcr nx)i(tlion apjjlio.s to all aircraft;ind units whose primary function is aii" fighting, riglitpr-bonib- (')■ aircraft are fighters nuxHIi-.d to attack surface objectives. d. Recnnnaissduce aviation npjjlies to iiin'ts whose primary function is to secure informatifin for military cftniniands, both ground and air, through visual and photographic means. e. Pho/ographir nvialinr) ajiplies to air units which perforin )hotogra[)hic recfinnais.sance beyond the re-.sponsibilities or cajjafjilities of reconnaissance aviation and perform special photograimnetric mapping missions for engineer tojjograjjhic troops. Its services are nsiially reserved for the use of tlieater or oificr similar !ieadf]tiarters. f. Troop carrier aviation (including gliflers) a]jplies to air units which cany aiiljorne troojis. groimd troops, and cargo. g. Liaison aviation is the term applied lo aircraft,and air imits wiiose primary fiiiiciions inchide courier or messenger service and observation of artillery fire. Liaison aircraft are light and unarmed. They can use small and iiastily prepared landing fields. They are vtdnerable to small arms fire and are seldf)ni used over fir near defended hostile areas. They may be an integral jjart of ground units. h. Air transport aviation is employed to transport by air, jjersonnel. material, and mail for all War Department agencies. 1. Service renter is a niobite organization provided lo establish and operate the necessary third echelon maintenance, reclamation and supply points within close siippt)rting distance oi combat air units. Service renters iKirnittlly are set up on ihv hasit, of otit: for each ■.wf) conibai groLtjJS. 75. The siralt'iiic fiir foyci' i ilu loii! lange;ivni of the:iiv force.s. It roniisi.s of lmiI I'liuipped n'ith lotif range bonibaidmen! avi;iii(H!

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