UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES
1st STRATEGIC AIR DEPOT • VIII SERVICE COMMAND • EIGHTH AIR FORCE
SQUADRON & COMPANY GUIDONS
The strategic air depots were non-TOE units and the senior air depot group commander was designated as the depot commander. Strategic air depots were structured with two air depot groups and an array of attached support units, typically a quartermaster battalion, several ordnance units and a medical supply detachment, that were allotted to the air depot groups as required. In direct support of the depot were a station complement squadron, a signal company, a separate firefighting platoon, and a military police detachment.
The strategic air depots were not authorized a distinguishing flag. They may, however, have 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.
