UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES
VIII SERVICE COMMAND • EIGHTH AIR FORCE
DISTINGUISHING FLAG • SQUADRON & COMPANY GUIDONS
VIII Service Command embodied four strategic air depots, each with two air depot groups and various attached service and support units. In direct support of the the Command headquarters were a station complement squadron, military police and quartermaster truck detachments, an ordnance battalion (mobile reclamation & repair), a firefighting platoon, aviation), and two medical supply detachments (aviation).
Broadly speaking, a service command and its subordinate units were responsible for two functions: supply and maintenance. On the supply side, the service command received, stocked and distributed items specific to air operations, mainly organizational equipment and repair parts and materials. On the maintenance side, the service commands carried out fourth-echelon maintenance: restoration of worn or damaged aircraft to serviceability; periodic major overhaul of engines, unit assemblies, accessories, and auxiliary equipment; performance of technical compliance changes as directed; replacement, repair, and service checking of auxiliary equipment; recovery, reclamation, or repair of aircraft incapable of flight; and fabrication of parts on an emergency basis.
The strategic air depots were non-TOE units and were not authorized a distinguishing flag. Probably, however, they received an Air Corps guidon displaying the branch insignia only, as shown below. Separate TOE platoons were not authorized guidons. For detachments of squadrons and companies the guidon is depicted though in practice it would have remained with the headquarters element.
Credits: The drawings on this page are based on the specifications given in Army Regulation 260-10 dated 25 October 1944, a copy of which was kindly provided by FOTW Mailing List member Joseph McMillan. Order of battle information was taken from Dr. Leo Niehorster’s outstanding and essential website, World War II Armed Forces: Orders of Battle and Organizations.
