Unit question?

Question

Ok. might be a dumb question, but i really do not have a clue. My grandfather served in New Guinea with the army air corps. First question, is that what they called the air force back than? 2nd question. when people say unit, is there such thing as a sub unit? He served with the 27th air depot group, but i have the foggest idea what that means. Is there one big unit that has people doing diff things? thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi

This is really your lucky day.

They served starting in Mobile, Alabama, then Australia, then, New Guinea, then Japan.

Below is their unit history:

A history of the 27th air depot group... /Sydney, ST Leigh & co., 1945/ 96 leaves. illus., col. plates. 28 l/2cm. Editor, S/Sgt. Charles T. Miles.

If you email I will try and get a copy either from the USAF Academy here or elsewhere.

Ben Myers Associations and Alumni Database
27th Air Depot Group

I do not know if the contact below is still active:

Mr. Sidney Ronningen 507-732-5786
590 Park Ave
Zumbrota MN 55992-1178
VFW 5-05
Add Your Organization or Association To Database!

Answer 2

Yes hat is what they called the Air Force back then, it didn't become the "Air Force" uuntil 1947,; Units very from service to service. When I speak of my unit I speak about my platoon which is made up of 4 squads, then there are four platoons in a Division, four Divisions in a Regiment and so on!

Answer 3

YES THE ARMY WAS THE AIR FORCE, BACK THEN. I SERVED WITH THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION, WHICH IS MADE OF SUPPORT BRIGADES AND SUCH.. BUT IIN THE ARMY A UNIT WOULD BE YOUR ACTUAL REGIMENT SERVED IN, AND GO DOWN AS FAR AS THE COMPANY SERVED IN, FOR EXAMPLE, IF I WAS ASKED WHAT UNIT THID I SERVED I WOULD SAY.. Bco 1st Batallion-5 Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, but i will break it up more indepth to help u better under stand so here it goes.

ARMY= 50,000 + soliders. Typically commanded by a lieutenant general or higher, an army combines two or more corps. A theater army is the ranking Army component in a unified command, and it has operational and support responsibilities that are assigned by the theater commander in chief. The commander in chief and theater army commander may order formation of a field army to direct operations of assigned corps and divisions. An army group plans and directs campaigns in a theater, and is composed of two or more field armies under a designated commander. Army groups have not been employed by the Army since World War II.

CORPS= 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers. Two to five divisions constitute a corps, which is typically commanded by a lieutenant general. As the deployable level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations, the corps provides the framework for multi-national operations.

DIVISION = 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers. Usually consisting of three brigade-sized elements and commanded by a major general, divisions are numbered and assigned missions based on their structures. The division performs major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements.

Brigade = 3,000 to 5,000 solders. A brigade headquarters commands the tactical operation of two to five organic or attached combat battalions. Normally commanded by a colonel with a command sergeant major as senior NCO, brigades are employed on independent or semi-independent operations. Armored cavalry, ranger and special forces units this size are categorized as regiments or groups.

Battalion - 300 to 1,000 soldiers. Four to six companies make up a battalion, which is normally commanded by a lieutenant colonel with a command sergeant major as principle NCO assistant. A battalion is capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope. An armored or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is called a squadron. NOW KEEP IN MIND THIS IS WHERE SOME ONE WOULD REFER TO AS THEIR UNIT! THE ACTUAL BATTALION.

Company =62 to 190 soldiers. Three to five platoons form a company, which is commanded by a captain with a first sergeant as the commander's principle NCO assistant. An artillery unit of equivalent size is called a battery, and a comparable armored or air cavalry unit is called a troop.

Platoon - 16 to 44 soldiers. A platoon is led by a lieutenant with an NCO as second in command, and consists of two to four squads or sections.

Squad - 9 to 10 soldiers. Typically commanded by a sergeant or staff sergeant, a squad or section is the smallest element in the Army structure, and its size is dependent on its function