Functions of Army and Navy Air Components
- General functions.
- It is the general function of Army and Navy air components, respectively, to conduct the air operations derived from the approved respective functions of the Army and Navy stated in chapter I, Policy Governing the Respective Functions of the Army and of the Navy. Under this policy:
- The air component of the Army conducts air operations over the land and such air operations over the sea as are incident to the accomplishment of Army functions.
- The air component of the Navy conducts air operations over the sea and such air operations over the land as are incident to the accomplishment of Navy functions.
- Aircraft, by their nature, are capable to a degree, dependent upon their design and upon the skill and training of their personnel, of performing either Army or Navy air functions. Available air strength should therefore be used whenever possible by either service in support of the other.
- Army aircraft may temporarily execute Navy functions in support of or in lieu of Navy forces. Conversely, Navy aircraft may temporarily execute Army functions under like conditions.
- Primary functions.
- The air component of each service has a primary function to which its principal efforts are to be directed, both in peace and in war.
- These primary functions are:
- The Army air component to operate as an arm of the mobile Army, both in the conduct of air operations over the land in support of land operations and in the conduct of air operations over the sea in direct defense of the coast.
- The Navy air component to operate as an arm of the Fleet.
- Secondary functions.
- Secondary functions of the air component of the Army are:
- Reconnaissance and observation of fire for harbor defenses.
- Air operations in connection with the defense of important industrial centers and military and naval installations.
- Air operations in support of or in lieu of naval forces.
- Secondary functions of the air component of the Navy are:
- Air operations, by aircraft forming part of naval local defense forces, for the patrol of the coastal zones and for the protection of shipping therein.
- Air operations in support of or in lieu of Army forces.
- Provisions to minimize duplication.
- The functions assigned to the Army air component require the Army to provide and maintain all types of aircraft primarily designed for use in support of military operations, or in the direct defense of the land and coastal frontiers of continental United States and its overseas possessions, or in repelling air raids directed at shore objectives or at shipping within our harbors, or in supporting naval forces to assure freedom of action of the fleet.
- The functions assigned to the Navy air component require the Navy to provide and maintain all types of aircraft primarily designed and ordinarily used in operations from aircraft carriers or other vessels, or based on aircraft tenders, or for operations from shore bases for observation, scouting and patrolling over the sea, and for the protection of shipping in the coastal zones.
- Projects of the Army and Navy relating to their respective air components shall, in peace time, with a view to insuring the minimum of overlap and duplication, be considered by the Aeronautical Board prior to being used as a basis for action.
- When estimated aircraft production and procurement do not meet the requirements of the Army and the Navy under any specific war plan, The Joint Board will make allocation in numbers and priorities of airplanes to the Army and Navy, respectively.
- Allocations of production and procurement facilities for airplanes to meet the needs of any joint war plan shall be made to the Army and Navy, respectively, by The Joint Board upon the recommendation of the Army and Navy Munitions Board. Allocations may be proposed to the Army and Navy Munitions Board by the Aeronautical Board.
Table of Contents * Previous Chapter (3) * Next Chapter (5)