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The Philippine Department Air Force 1940

Philippine Department Air Force 1940
The first Filipino pilots to complete their twin engine training are ready for aircraft and they form the first transport squadron of the Philippine Air Army Force when they receive 12 DC3 transport aircraft. The US Army also transfers all 15 of its observation aircraft in the Philippines (as it lacks the pilots to fly them in any event). Parsons puts the Filipinos to work conducting a thorough aerial mapping survey of the island as a review of defense plans determines that there is a severe issue with many of the maps of the islands being outdated or minimal in terms of information to begin with. The first priority is Bataan, the Central Luzon Plain, as well as likely Japanese landing sites. The 2nd Composite Group, Philippine Army Air Force, is formed with one observation squadron and one transport squadron.

Construction engineers have built a basic airfield at Del Monte in Mindanao, Baguio, Del Carmen, Cabanatuan, Rosales, Pilar, Mariveles, and Bataan (larger field near Pilar) as well as Matan -Cebu. Discussions about improving Nichols Field are also made as well as building a hard surface concrete runway for Clark (the new home of the Filipino air transport squadron). All are completed by the end of 1940 and are able hold up to a squadron of aircraft although their principal role is training and for giving the transports someplace to land.

The 4th Composite Group, US Army Air Corps, is primarily serving as a training unit for the Philippine Air Force at this point, and as it has no modern aircraft, its pilots are working as flight instructors and squadron leaders for the PAAF. Parsons finds that his senior two aviators, Colonel Harrison Richards (Department Air officer) and Colonel Lawrence Churchill (commander 4th Composite Group) are incapable of working constructively together. Deciding he needs Churchill more (as he is working well with the engineers) he sends Richards to develop a potential air ferry route via Australia as well as missions to discuss coordination with the Dutch and British, thus moving him out of the way. Churchill is given a brevet promotion to Brigadier General, PAAF, and placed in overall command of that organization as well as that of his own 4th Composite Group and all three groups are officially designated Philippine Department Air Force in August 1940.

Parsons requests modern aircraft and at least a fighter group, although he would like a light bomber group, an air defense center, and at Ord's urging, he also requests radar. He also requests at least 2 more coast defense artillery regiments (antiaircraft) or sufficient training staff and weapons to form 2 for the Philippine Army.

Meanwhile the PAAF buys another 12 Beechcraft for use as light transport aircraft, which will allow the PAAF to form a third squadron for its 2nd Composite Group. For 1941 requests are made for 48 fighter aircraft, 24 light bombers and 12 float planes to form the 3rd Composite Group. As there are shortages of just about every type of aircraft due to Lend Lease and US military expansion, the request goes to Hap Arnold who is already considering a plan of his own.
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