Show PEACETIME MISSION S I Weekend Fliers Are Main Cog In Marine Corps Air Reserve Features ures Week end fliers they're generally dubbed dubbed but these Leatherneck volunteers play an integral role in the marine marin corps aviation reserve program The marine air reserve again is ready to resume its peacetime mission corps officials emphasize in reporting on its first year of activities which ends on July 1 As the initial stet step in launching the or organized reserve pro pro- gram 12 months ago 20 Leatherneck Leatherneck Leather Leather- neck fighting squadrons composed of week end fliers were activated Since then a total of 21 24 fighting squadrons have been formed Motivated by the principle that the reserve is the force needed in inan inan an emergency no effort is spared to tomake tomake tomake make the reserve a ready combat-ready unit according to Brig Gen C. C F. F commander of the marine air reserve training command Every flight Has as been conducted conducted con con- ducted to further the pilots pilot's military proficiency General Insists Training for enlisted enlisted en en- listed men commenced with the first drill period and has been organized on every level of skill from basic training to aircraft engineering he adds For their annual summer maneu maneu- vers vcrs the marine week end fliers will congregate at Cherry Point N. N C. C and El Toro Taro Calif from August August Au Au- August gust 14 through August 29 The 12 RESERVE FLIERS Ready for Combat cast east coast squadrons will assemble at Cherry Point while the 12 west coast air reserve units will pate In the El EI Toro maneuvers The maneuvers are designed to ordinate co-ordinate all individual and squadron squad squad- ron training with problems of close air support of marine ground units While close air support will be the primary function air defense will play an important secondary part Although the fighting squadrons were activated first two other phases of the marine corps' corps postwar postwar postwar post post- war program also have been sized They are formation of the marine ground control intercept squadrons and training of the volunteer volunteer vol vol- reserve reserve The ground control Intercept squadrons successors to the air warning squadrons of World War II are equipped with radar and communications communications com corn gear with the mission of detecting enemy aircraft and controlling controlling controlling con con- trolling friendly aircraft to intercept enemy planes Training of members of the volunteer volunteer volunteer vol vol- reserve has been conducted on marine air stations at both El ElToro ElToro Toro Taro and Cherry Point Reserve units are receiving training as funds and facilities permit |