We're on Our Way

... WE'RE ON

By Bernard A. Bridgett Colonel Commanding Williams Field, Arizona Williams Field now is more than a growing unfinished flying school. With one class of aviation cadets already commissioned with its wings and another soon to be graduated, this new fledged eagle's nest has become a mature first rate air force advanced flying school.

The greatest credit for its reality is due the people of Arizona. From the nearby community of Mesa, Phoenix, and Chandler, army officials have received generous cooperation and genuine hospitality. The vast extent of land was leased to the Government by the public-spirited, far seeing city of Mesa.

Softball and baseball fields for sports and a soldier's recreation hall have been provided for their use by the residents of Chandler. Phoenix has given the post transportation facilities, food products, equipment, a recreation hall and numerous other concessions.

It is the generous western spirit of the people of Arizona that has made the officers and enlisted men of Williams Field enjoy their station here. We are ever grateful to Arizona and promise that our efforts will continue to prove this appreciation.

By Lawrance O. Brown Lt. Colonel, Air Corps Commanding Thunderbird Airport Thunderbird Airport, a primary field of the West Coast Air Force Training Center, is proud of being a pioneer in Army aviation in the Salt River Valley. It is our determination to turn out increasingly larger numbers of Cadets for basic training. With the splendid cooperation that is being given us by the people of this area and with the advantage of the perfect flying weather which Phoenix offers, accomplishment of our task becomes increasingly simple. We'll do our part to "KEEP EM FLYING."

PAGE FOUR

OUR WAY...

By Ennis C. Whitehead Colonel Commanding Luke Field, Arizona Since the early Spring of 1941, Luke Field has grown from a broad expanse of Arizona desert into a highly organized unit vital in the Nation's air training defense program.

Large numbers of Flying Officers having completed their training at Luke Field, have received Wings and Commissions and gone to join the ranks of our fighting men since the first class of aviation cadets graduated. Fame of the Valley of the Sun has been carried across the seas to our Allies in the Orient by the group of Chinese fliers who received training here.

Of particular importance has been the splendidly cooperative spirit shown by the people residing in the surrounding towns of Glendale, Litchfield, and Phoenix. They have, through the establishment of Recreational Centers, contributed much toward the success of our training program. Both officers and enlisted men will long remember the sincere hospitality shown them by the neighboring cities in the Valley of the Sun.

By W. T. Holloway Squadron Leader, Commanding R. A. F. Falcon Field Twelve months have nearly elapsed since the first group of British students arrived from the United Kingdom to receive their flying training in Arizona. Many trained pilots have now returned home for service in the Royal Air Force, and many more will follow. The British flying training school near Mesa, Arizona, is one of several such schools in America, and with British boys training side by side with American students in United States Army Air Corps schools, the huge RAF pilot training program is receiving invaluable assistance from the United States.

The offer of the President of the United States to allow the training of RAF pilots in the U. S. A. was readily accepted by His Majesty's Government, and training establishments already in operation here went to work immediately on the construction of new schools. With vast resources of materials and man power at their disposal the contractors soon had the project working full speed ahead, and the steady flow of trained pilots from the United States is becoming more apparent as the increased striking power of the RAF is making its mark upon the war production of our enemies.

The State of Arizona is indeed playing her full part in the expansion of the Allied Air Forces, her climate is ideal for flying and the splendid hospitality of the people goes a very long way toward maintaining the necessary standard of morale in boys who are many thousands of miles from their homes. The officers and pupils of Falcon Field join in thanking you, America and Arizona, for everything. We shall not forget your kindness and will always remember your contribution to the furtherance of good will and understanding between our beloved countries.