Pre-war upgrades and expansion Far East Air Force (United States)

boeing b-17d flying fortress

the 14th bombardment squadron, assigned best crews , 9 b-17s of 11th bomb group in hawaii, detached group pioneer air ferry route philippines, arriving 12 september in middle of typhoon. 2 squadrons of 19th bombardment group followed in october–november. 14th , 28th bomb squadrons attached 19th bg , total of 35 b-17 flying fortresses constituted feaf s heavy bombardment force.

arnold wrote on 1 december 1941, must every b-17 philippines possible. war department projected 165 heavy bombers , 240 fighters based in philippines march 1942. b-17s of 7th bombardment group based in utah staged in california , 88th reconnaissance squadron in-transit air @ time japanese attacked pearl harbor.

the personnel of 2 squadrons of 35th pursuit group (the 21st , 34th, pilot rosters @ half strength), , 3 of 27th bombardment group (light), moved convoy of 2 transports escorted cruiser louisville, without airplanes, , disembarked @ manila on 20 november 1941. pursuit squadrons attached 24th pursuit group , acquired p-35s other squadrons training purposes. shipment of 24 crated p-40es arrived in manila freighter on 25 november, first of 50 intended 35th pursuit group, , trucked philippine air depot @ nichols field assembly.

from force of 5 squadrons (one bombardment, 1 observation , 3 pursuit) , 110 operational aircraft in may 1941, philippine department had thirteen squadrons , 195 combat aircraft. however, ten squadrons had airplanes (four bombardment, 5 pursuit, , 1 observation), , although of new equipment considered first-line army air forces, none of first-rate standards of air forces engaged in aerial combat. further, overwhelming majority of fighter pilots sorely lacking in meaningful flying experience.

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