<text id=00he0212><title>World War I Influence</title>
<history>US Air Force: Events History</history>
<article><hdr>World War I Influence</hdr><body>
<p>In Europe, World War I was raging and airplanes were in daily use. The bombing and fighting aircraft designs were far in advance of anything the US had to offer. By December 1916, German Zeppelins had bombed London; air-to-air combat was a reality, as were the synchronized machine-guns, firing through the propeller disc, that made it practical; airmen had developed the arts of artillery regulation and of tactical support, and were planning strategic bombing with an independent force whose heavy four-engined bomber was already well advanced in development and construction.
</p>
<p>In August 1916, Congress had authorized $13,281,666 for aeronautical development, a quantum leap over the paltry sums of earlier years. It was felt that war was coming to the US, and the country had to be ready. Seven aero squadrons were authorized that year, but only the 1st was equipped and ready for action, even though its antique aircraft would have been useless in the skies of France.
</p>
<p>Perhaps 125 US airplanes were in commission at the end of 1916. All of them were trainers, or communications and reconnaissance types, and not one was suited for combat. The majority—fewer than 80—were Curtiss JN-4s and JN-4Bs. Another 17 or so were also Curtiss, the Models R-2 and R-4, best described as a larger and more powerful JN. The rest were five different trainers built by five different companies: LWF, Martin, Sloane, Standard and Sturtevant.
</p>
<p>They were based at three training fields and three 'operational' bases. Signal Corps Aviation Schools had been established at North Island, California; at Mineola, on Long Island, New York; and at Memphis, Tennessee. The 1st Aero Squadron was stationed at Columbus, New Mexico, and equipped with 11 Curtiss R-2 and three R4 machines. The 2nd Aero Squadron had been formed at San Antonio, Texas and was operating five Curtiss JN-4s and three R-4s. And that was the total strength of American air power just before the country entered World War I. Within less than two years, it was to become a major force in the air, and had begun to develop the concepts and doctrines that became the foundation stones of the United States Air Force in later years.
