SKY WARRIORS — Aviation in the California Army and Air National Guards —

Characteristics

Description

This book is part of the Osprey colour series, focusing on aviation in the California Army and Air National Guards. It provides a detailed look at the military aeronautics in the United States, specifically in California. The cover image showcases three military jets flying over a desert landscape, likely representing the 'Sky Warriors' of the California National Guard. The book appears to offer an in-depth exploration of military aviation history and operations within this specific state's military branches.

Units of the National Guard, the oldest military forces in the United States, are unique as they have status both as federal and state forces.

( … ) The units trace their origin to the aeronautic unit which was formed on March 12th, 1911, in the 7th Company, Coast Artillery Corps of the California Guard and the Aeronautical Section of the California Naval Militia which was mustered on December 11th 1915. However, neither received federal recognition and the true forebear of aviation units of the California Guard is the 115th Observation Squadron which was activated on June 16th, 1924 at Clover Field, Santa Monica. Called to active duty on March 3rd, 1941, the 115th served during the war in the China - Burma - India theatre of operations. Re - organized in the California Guard as a bombardment squadron in October 1946, it is now the 115th Tactical Airlift Squadron and flies C - 130E Hercules from the Van Nuys A.N.G.B. in the suburbs of Los Angeles.

Post - War, three fighter squadrons were also organized in California and a fifth A.N.G. unit was activated in 1955. Separation between Air National Guard and Army National Guard resulted from the National Security Act of 1947 which created a separate Department of the Air Force, the overseer of A.N.G. units. Ar.N.G. units were then placed under much older Department of the Army. ( ... )

René J. Francillon

Vallejo, California, July 1987