Philippine Army Air Corps

Ceremony at Camp Murphy in Rizal marking the induction of the Philippine Army Air Corps into the U.S. Army on 15 August 1941. Behind Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, from left to right, are Lt. Col. Richard K. Sutherland, Col. Harold H. George, Lt. Col. William F. Marquat, and Maj. LeGrande A. Diller.

The Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons. In August 1941, the PAAC was inducted into the United States Army and incorporated into the Far East Air Force.

History of the Philippine Army Air Corps

The first Philippine Army airfield was built outside of Manila, Luzon. At this time only three pilot trainers were available in the Philippines. Courses in flying and technical training were given in the mainland United States to selected students.

Aircraft of the Philippine Army Air Corps – 8 December 1941

Numbers in () indicate number of aircraft that were usable, where records are available.

Fighters

• P-12E: 2
• P-26A: 12 [1]

Bombers

• B-10B: 3 (2)
• B-3A: 1

Noncombatant

• D18 (Beech 18): 2
• 0–46: 4
• Other: 50 (Stearman A75L3, PT-1 (73L-3), BT-1 (76D-1) [2]; Stinson Reliant; O-1; and probably O-19)

Aircraft of the Philippine Army Air Corps – 15 May 1945 through 1 July 1947

• P-51
• C-47
• L-4
• L-5

Philippine Army Air Corps – 8 December 1941

This information needs to be checked for accuracy. All designations and their articles need nationality identifiers.

• Philippine Army Air Corps Headquarters
  • 1st Training Squadron
  • Zosa's Depot Detachment
  • Ramos' Depot Detachment
  • Sebastian's Airbase Detachment
  • 5th Photo Detachment
  • 6th Interceptor Squadron
  • Ebuen's Instruction Squadron
  • de Leon's Airbase Detachment
  • 9th Observation Squadron
  • 10th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
  • Aya-ay's Airbase Detachment
  • Primary Flying School
  • Basic & Advanced Flying School
  • Philippine Army Air Corps Supply

Philippine Army Air Corps – 31 July 1941

The corps contained 2,132 enlisted troops, under the command of 275 officers.

• Philippine Army Air Corps Headquarters (109)
• U.S. 4th Composite Group (1,393)
• U.S. 20th Air Base Group (842)
• Tow Target Detachment (42)
• Weather Detachment (21)

See also

• Military history of the Philippines during World War II