Born in Charleston, S. C., February 23, 1885. Graduated from United States Military Academy, appointed second lieutenant. Infantry, February 14, 1908, assigned to llth Infantry, Fort D. A. Russell (now Francis E. Warren), Wyom. In July, 1910, transferred to 28th Infantry, Fort Snelling, Minn., and in May 1912 to 24th Infantry in the Philippines. In October 1914, accompanied 15th Infantry to Tientsin, China. First lieutenant, December 4, 1915. Served with 22nd Infantry, Fort Thomas, Ky., until March 1917. Commandant of Flying Cadets, Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Captain, May 15, 1917, and major (temporary), November 5, 1917. From February 1918 to January 1919 commanded Air Service Mechanics School, St. Paul, Minn. Office of Director of Air Service, Washington, D. C. Major, July 1, 1920. September 1920 to March 1921 attended Air Corps Primary Flying School and Advanced Flying School, March Field, Calif. Bombardment training, Kelly Field, Tex. Office of Chief of Air Service, Washington, D. C., until December 14, 1921. Commandant at Mitchel Field, N. Y., until July 1923. After Commanding Officer, Boston Airport, course at Harvard University until June 1924. Commandant at Boiling Field, D. C., and Middletown Air Intermediate Depot, Middletown, Pa., until April 1927. Special observation course. Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Tex. Commanding Officer, Maxwell Field, Ala. Office of Chief of Air Corps, Washington, D. C., as Chief of Plans Division. Lieutenant colonel. August 1, 1932. Army Industrial College, D. C. Office of Chief of Air Corps as Chief of Information Division. Air Corps procurement planning representative in N. Y. April 1935, Inspector, General Headquarters Air Force, Langley Field, Va. Colonel (temporary), February 15, 1936, and four months later made Commanding Officer, 1st Air Base, Langley Field. Colonel (permanent), May 7, 1937. Maxwell Field, Ala., as Commanding Officer of Air Corps Tactical School in April, 1939. Brigadier general (temporary), October 1, 1940. Commanding Officer, Southeast Air Corps Training Center, Montgomery, Ala., December 17, 1940. Major general (temporary), July 11, 1941. Acting Chief of Air Corps, Washington, D. C., December 30, 1941. Commanding Air Forces Technical Training Command, Southern Pines, N. C., March 7, 1942.
TECHNICAL TRAINING COMMAND
The United States is creating the world's largest air force. For every plane that our vast Air Forces will require, there must be a number of skilled mechanics on the ground to service and repair these planes. The task of the Army Air Forces Technical Tracing Command is to indoctrinate and train, all officers and men necessary to perform the vital ground and technical functions for the Army Air Forces.
"Keep 'em flying" not only symbolizes flying the planes, but it also means keeping the planes in perfect fighting condition. It is the all-important job of the Technical Training Command to provide the highly skilled technicians who are necessary to keep America's fighting craft in the air and in fighting trim.
A plane that cannot fly is one of the most useless things in the world, and planes will not fly unless they have sufficient ground crews of expert mechanics for proper maintenance. There is, and, must continue to be, a mutual respect, admiration, and. trust between the mechanic and the pilot. It would be fatal for a pilot to have a shaken faith in the men who have charge of the maintenance of his ship. When a plane leaves the ground, the pilot must KNOW that the men who conditioned his ship before it took off were skilled, thorough, and dependable. It is the responsibility of the Technical Training Command to see that the individuals who make up the ground crews ate trained to efficiently perform their assigned duties.
As recently as 1938 the Technical Training Command had but one school, Chanute Field, at which only three technical subjects were taught. In a little more than two years the command has expanded, from a handful of schools to include more than 100 at the present time. These schools give instruction in some twenty-two essential and highly technical courses in "airplane maintenance. Some of these courses are given at Air Force Schools; others in civilian mechanic schools; still others in aircraft factories. All, Jiowever, are under the jurisdiction of the Technical Training Command. Their goal is to turn out the maximum number of trained technicians in the minimum amount of time.
An effort is made to give the finest instruction obtainable. Similar courses in civilian life would cost the student several thousand dollars. Out of these courses of instruction must come the men with the ability to guarantee the combat crew fi.gh.ting aircraft which will not fail.
The selection of these soldier-craftsm.en of the Technical Training Command must be as careful as their training. Tests devised by practical personnel experts must assure the Technical Training Command a steady supply of men with real mechanical aptitude—men from every walk. of life who share the great American, genius for mechanics. These men have to be imbued with a deep sense of responsibility. They should need no reminder that theirs is an important assignment. It is essential that they go to their posts with trained hands and strong bodies.
The motto of the Technical Training Command is "Sustineo Alas" (I sustain the wings). Wherever American planes are sent, our mechanics will keep 'em flying. This trust which the Nation has placed in the hands of tizesc men will be safeguarded with zeal.
Major General W.R.Weaver
Commanding the AAF Technical Training Command
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