List of Air Service American Expeditionary Force aerodromes in France

Air Service recruiting poster, 1917–1918

see also: Organization of the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force

When the United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917, the Air Service of the United States Army existed only as a branch of the Signal Corps, and was known by the name of Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. It consisted of 1,120 personnel, of which 65 were officers. The Army was not ready for the deployment of aviation forces to Europe, and it became necessary to prepare after President Woodrow Wilson's declaration of war.^[1]

Overview

Aerial Gunnery and Armament School Newspaper Saint-Jean-de-Monts The Fly Paper - 18 November 1918

Locations of major Air Service, United States Army stations in France, 1918

As part of the buildup of US forces, aviation units were formed into aero squadrons primarily at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, with additional units being formed at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California.^[1] Once formed, and prior to their deployment to Europe, Camp Taliaferro, north of Fort Worth, Texas, and several airfields near Toronto, Ontario, Canada were used by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to perform flight training for the new aero squadrons. Camp Hancock, near Augusta, Georgia, was used for training service squadrons of aircraft mechanics as well as flight training.^[2]

When ordered to deploy, units departed though Garden City, New York, which was the primary port of embankment. Units there were loaded onto transport ships for the trans-Atlantic crossing. Upon arrival in Europe, Liverpool, England, and Brest, France, were the primary ports of disembarkation, although other ports were also used. Some aero squadrons arriving in England received additional training from the Royal Flying Corps, and later the Royal Air Force (RAF) once it was established, and were then attached to British squadrons, deploying with them to France. Others received further training and were sent to Winchester, Hampshire, where they awaited their cross-channel transfer to France, using the port of Southampton.^[1]

After deployment to France, St. Maixent Aerodrome was the primary reception center for new aero squadrons assigned to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). There, units were classified as pursuit, bombardment or as observation units. Once processed, units were sent to the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome where equipment was issued to the units. If necessary, units were assigned to one of several Air Instructional Centers (AIC) where they received additional combat and gunnery training provided by the French. Once prepared for combat, Gengault Aerodrome (Toul) was used as the assignment center for new squadrons, from which they were transferred to their initial combat station.^[1]

8th Aero Squadron (Observation), Saizerais Aerodrome, France, 11 November 1918

After assignment, the Air Service's deployed units operated primarily from French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA) grass aerodromes (airfields). The exact location of many of these aerodromes is no longer certain as the facilities were only temporary and after the war much of the land on which they sat was returned to agricultural purposes. Today, many are fields that have been in production continuously since the end of the war, and traces of their wartime use are limited. As a result, the locations of many Air Service stations have only been approximated, using a variety of means including aerial photography, maps and the interpretation of other ancillary information.^[2]

After the Armistice came into effect in November 1918, the wartime Air Service was demobilized. This process was completed within a year and the National Defense Act of 1920 then established the United States Army Air Service on a permanent basis, with several new units being formed. Later, some of the temporary wartime units were consolidated to retain the lineage and honors of their wartime service with the AEF.

Stations

Below is a list of the airdromes used by the American Expeditionary Force that were sent to France during World War I.^[3]

American sector

Command and control

• Headquarters, Air Service, AEF, Chaumont, Champagne-Ardenne^[1]

• First Army Air Service ^[1]

Organized at: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 10 August 1918

Moved to: Ligny-en-Barrois, Lorraine, 25 August 1918

Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 21 September – 11 November 1918

• Second Army Air Service ^[1]

Organized at: Toul, Lorraine, 12 October – 11 November 1918

---

I Corps, Air Service, First Army[1] Organized at: Neufchâteau, Lorraine, 10 February 1918 Moved to: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 1 July 1918 Moved to: Coincy, Picardy, 10 August 1918 Moved to: Toul, Lorraine, 16 August 1918 Moved to: Saizerais, Lorraine, 2 September 1918 Moved to: Rarécourt, Lorraine, 12 September 1918 Moved to: Chéhéry, Champagne-Ardenne, 2–11 November 1918 III Corps, Air Service, First Army[1] Organized at: Château-Thierry, Picardy, 2 August 1918 Moved to: Goussancourt, Picardy, 1 September 1918 Moved to: Malancourt, Lorraine, 24 October 1918 Moved to: Dun-sur-Meuse, Lorraine, 10–11 November 1918

V Corps, Air Service, First Army[1] Organized at: Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté, 7 August 1918 Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 7 September 1918 Moved to: Fauconcourt, Lorraine, 20 September 1918 Moved to: Ville-sur-Cousances, Lorraine, 22 September 1918 Moved to: Cheppy, Lorraine, 31 October – 11 November 1918 VI Corps, Air Service, First Army[1] Located at: Saizerais, Lorraine, 23 October – 11 November 1918

Combat airdromes

Amanty Airdrome 48°31′37″N 05°35′54″E / 48.52694°N 5.59833°E Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) NW of Amanty, Lorraine [2] 1st Observation Group School[1] First Army Air Service bomber airfield [1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 2 February-3 May 1918 Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 10–25 September 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 October 1917 – 4 April 1918 91st Aero Squadron (Observation), 14 December 1917 – 24 May 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation), 1 February – 28 May 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 2 February – 3 May 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 April – 13 June 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 May – 1 July 1918 135th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19–30 July 1918 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 July – 31 August 1918 50th Aero Squadron (Observation), 27 July – 4 September 1918 9th Aero Squadron (Night Observation) 28 August – 21 September 1918 96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 18 May – 23 September 1918 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 7–23 September 1918 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 6–24 September 1918 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 21–25 September 1918 Autreville Airdrome 48°27′39″N 05°49′41″E / 48.46083°N 5.82806°E Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) SSW of Autreville-sur-la-Renne, Champagne-Ardenne[2] First Army Air Service reconnaissance airfield [1] 186th Aero Squadron (Army Observation), 18 September 1918 – 29 October 1918 354th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 30 September 1918 – 25 October 1918 278th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 1 October 1918 – 10 November 1918 Belrain Aerodrome 48°51′10″N 05°18′17″E / 48.85278°N 5.30472°E Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) S of Belrain, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1] Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 23 September – 11 November 1918 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 September – 11 November 1918 22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 September – 7 November 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 November 1918 – 14 January 1919 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 31 November – 13 December 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 2 December 1918 – 18 January 1918 Bethelainville Aerodrome 49°09′41″N 05°13′34″E / 49.16139°N 5.22611°E First Army Air Service reconnaissance airfield[1] Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) WNW of Béthelainville, Lorrain[2] Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 29 October – 11 November 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 19 October – 2 December 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–29 November 1918 Bicqueley Airdrome 48°37′34″N 05°54′46″E / 48.62611°N 5.91278°E Undetermined location near Bicqueley, Lorraine First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] 50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8–24 September 1918 Bonne Maison Airdrome 49°18′26″N 03°40′48″E / 49.30722°N 3.68000°E Undetermined location near Fismes, Champagne-Ardenne First Army Air Service pursuit airfield[1] 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10 April – 2 May 1918 Chailly-en-Brie Aerodrome 48°46′28″N 03°07′37″E / 48.77444°N 3.12694°E Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) S of Chailly-en-Brie, Ile-de-France[2] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 12–22 August 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 13–22 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 12–22 August 1918 Chaumont-sur-Aire Airdrome (Hill 402) 48°06′04″N 05°12′51″E / 48.10111°N 5.21417°E Located 3.9 miles (6.3 km) ESE of Chaumont, Haute-Marne[2] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 16 January – 2 February 1918[1] Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 20 September – 11 November 1918[1] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] 91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 15 November 1917 – 14 December 1917[1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 16 January – 2 February 1918 85th Aero Squadron (Observation), 30 September – 4 November 1918[1] 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 December 1918 – 19 February 1919 Coincy Aerodrome 49°09′56″N 03°24′35″E / 49.16556°N 3.40972°E Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Coincy, Picardy[2] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 10–12 August 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 10–13 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 10–12 August 1918 Delouze Aerodrome 48°34′18″N 05°32′03″E / 48.57167°N 5.53417°E Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) NE of Delouze-Rosières, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service bombardment airfield[1] 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 6 September 1918 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 7 September 1918 100th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 16 August – 30 October 1918 163d Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 30 September – 1 November 1918 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 1 September 1918; 7–12 September 1918 Epiez Aerodrome 48°32′43″N 05°37′10″E / 48.54528°N 5.61944°E Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) W of Épiez-sur-Meuse, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service pursuit airfield[1] 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 April – 1 June 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1–7 April 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 April – 4 May 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 22 April – 1 June 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–8 August 1918 Ferme des Greves Aerodrome 49°01′11″N 03°29′25″E / 49.01972°N 3.49028°E Located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) ESE of Château-Thierry, Picardy[2] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4 August – 4 September 1918; 9–12 September 1918 Flin Aerodrome 48°29′52″N 06°39′18″E / 48.49778°N 6.65500°E Undetermined location near Flin, Lorraine First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 13–29 June 1918[1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13–29 June 1918 Foucaucourt Aerodrome 48°59′45″N 05°07′17″E / 48.99583°N 5.12139°E Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) ESE of Foucaucourt-sur-Thabas, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1] Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 20 September – 4 November 1918 Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 6–1 November 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 15 February 1919 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 15 December 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 5 January 1918 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 15 December 1918[1] 99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 September – 4 November 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 September – 4 November 1918 Francheville Aerodrome 48°51′10″N 03°02′32″E / 48.85278°N 3.04222°E Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) N of Mouroux, Île-de-France[2] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 6–30 July 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7 July-4 August 1918 Gengault Aerodrome (Toul) 48°41′53″N 05°55′02″E / 48.69806°N 5.91722°E Located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) SE of Toul, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1] Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 29 June – 20 September 1918 Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 5 May – 28 June 1918 Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 29 June – 23 September 1918 Headquarters, 4th Pursuit Group, 26 October – 11 November 1918 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 22 August – 21 September 1918 Headquarters, IV Corps Observation Group, 29 September – 11 November 1918 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 June – 23 September 1918 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 November – 12 December 1918 25th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 October 1918 – 15 April 1919 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1–28 June 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 15–16 July 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2 August – 23 September 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 April – 30 June 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 May 1918–28 June 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 July – 7 August 1918 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 30 June – 24 September 1918 141st Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 October 1918 – 15 April 1919 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1–28 June 1918 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 3 November 1918 – 15 April 1919[1] 1st Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 August – 21 September 1918 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 29 September – 22 October 1918[1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 August – 20 September 1918 22d Aero Squadron (Observation), 16 August – 22 September 1918 85th Aero Squadron (Observation), 4–11 November 1918[1] 135th Aero Squadron (Observation), 30 September 1918 – 10 February 1919 168th Aero Squadron (Observation), 5 October – 11 November 1918[1] 278th Aero Squadron (Observation), 10–11 November 1918[1] Gondreville-sur-Moselle Aerodrome 48°41′02″N 05°57′56″E / 48.68389°N 5.96556°E Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) S of Gondreville, Lorraine[2] First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 6–22 September 1918 24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 22 August – 22 September 1918 91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 May – 21 September 1918[1] Detachment operated from Souilly Aerodrome 9–18 October 1918; 27 October-6 November 1918 Goussancourt Airdrome 49°09′57″N 03°40′10″E / 49.16583°N 3.66944°E Undetermined location near Goussancourt, Picardy First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–9 September 1918 Haussimont Airdrome 48°44′51″N 04°10′03″E / 48.74750°N 4.16750°E Undetermined location near Haussimont, Champagne-Ardenne First Army Air Service observation airfield[1] 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 11 March – 31 May 1918 Detachment of 95th Aero Squadron, (Pursuit) 11 May – 24 June 1918

Julvecourt Aerodrome 49°03′49″N 05°10′49″E / 49.06361°N 5.18028°E Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Julvécourt, Lorraine Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5–11 November 1918 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 22 November 1918 – 5 January 1919 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 5–21 November 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–21 November 1918 La Noblette Aerodrome 49°06′57″N 04°23′27″E / 49.11583°N 4.39083°E Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) SE of Mourmelon-le-Grand, Champagne-Ardenne 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 February – 10 April 1918 Lay-Saint-Remy Aerodrome 48°41′09″N 05°44′55″E / 48.68583°N 5.74861°E Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Lay-Saint-Remy, Lorraine 41st Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 15–30 November 1918 138th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 14–30 November 1918 638th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 14–30 November 1918 Lemmes Aerodrome 49°04′11″N 05°16′19″E / 49.06972°N 5.27194°E Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Lemmes, Lorraine 186th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 7–24 November 1918 Lisle-en-Barrois Aerodrome 48°54′05″N 05°08′11″E / 48.90139°N 5.13639°E Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) ENE of Lisle-en-Barrois, Lorraine Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 20 September – 6 November 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 September – 6 November 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 September – 6 November 1918[1] Luxeuil-les-Bains Aerodrome 47°47′26″N 06°22′21″E / 47.79056°N 6.37250°E Located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) SSW of Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 7 August – 7 September 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 1 July – 7 September 1918 Flight operated from Corcieux Airdrome, 19–24 July 1918 Flight operated from Dogenville Airdrome, 24 July – 26 August 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8 August – 8 September 1918 Now: Luxeuil Air Base (BA 116) Maulan Aerodrome 48°39′57″N 05°15′03″E / 48.66583°N 5.25083°E Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) SSW of Maulan, Lorraine Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 25 September – 11 November 1918 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 24 September 1918 – 17 January 1919 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 23 September 1918 – 16 January 1919 96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 23 September 1918 – 10 January 1919 166th Aero Squadron (Dau Bombardment), 25 September – 22 November 1918 May-en-Multien Aerodrome 49°04′25″N 03°01′39″E / 49.07361°N 3.02750°E Undetermined location near May-en-Multien, Île-de-France Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5–10 August 1918 I Corps Observation Group, 5–10 August 1918[1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–10 August 1918 Mercy-le-Bas Aerodrome 49°23′07″N 05°45′08″E / 49.38528°N 5.75222°E Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) N of Mercy-le-Bas, Lorraine 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 November – 6 December 1918 Moras Ferme Aerodrome 48°56′32″N 03°10′19″E / 48.94222°N 3.17194°E Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) E of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 5 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 3 August 1918 Ourches Aerodrome 48°39′47″N 05°41′12″E / 48.66306°N 5.68667°E Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Ourches-sur-Meuse, Lorraine Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 1 April – 29 June 1918 Headquarters, IV Corps Observation Group, 1 July – 29 September 1918 Headquarters, 2d Day Bombardment Group, 1–11 November 1918 100th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 30 October – 11 November 1918[1] 163d Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 1–11 November 1918[1] 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 4 April – 29 June 1918 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 August – 29 September 1918[1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3 May – 13 June 1918 24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 6–22 August 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 June – 20 September 1918 135th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 July – 30 September 1918 Flight "C" 255th Aero Squadron (Service) 27 July – 11 November 1918 Parois Airdrome 49°08′18″N 05°07′02″E / 49.13833°N 5.11722°E Undetermined location near Aubréville, Lorraine Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 4–11 November 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–31 November 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–30 November 1918 Pretz-en-Argonne Airdrome (Bregnet Field) 48°57′23″N 05°08′49″E / 48.95639°N 5.14694°E Undetermined location near Pretz-en-Argonne, Lorraine 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 14–20 September 1918 Rembercourt Aerodrome 48°55′08″N 05°12′46″E / 48.91889°N 5.21278°E Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) ENE of Rembercourt-Sommaisne, Lorraine Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 1 September – 11 November 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 3 September – 12 December 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 20 November 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 2 September – 11 December 1918 Flight Operated from: Verdun Airdrome, 7 November 1918 – unknown 1919 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 12 December 1918 Flight operated from: Verdun Airdrome, 25 September 1918 – unknown 1919 185th Aero Squadron, (Night Pursuit)) 7 October – 11 November 1918 Remicourt Aerodrome 48°57′03″N 04°50′57″E / 48.95083°N 4.84917°E Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) W of Remicourt, Champagne-Ardenne Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 21 September – 5 November 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 September – 5 November 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 20 September – 3 November 1918 50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 September – 28 October 1918 Saints Aerodrome 48°46′04″N 03°03′33″E / 48.76778°N 3.05917°E Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) N of Saints, Île-de-France Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 9 July – 1 September 1918 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 29 June – 6 July 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 3 September 1918 Flight operated from Verdun Aerodrome, 25 September–November 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 2 September 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918 Saizerais Aerodrome 48°47′46″N 06°01′25″E / 48.79611°N 6.02361°E Located 1 mile (1.6 km) WNW of Saizerais, Lorraine Headquarters, VI Corps Observation Group, 25 October – 11 November 1918 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 October – 11 November 1918 354th Aero Squadron (Observation), 25 October – 11 November 1918 Souilly Aerodrome 49°02′06″N 05°17′45″E / 49.03500°N 5.29583°E Located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) N of Souilly, Lorraine Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 7–20 September 1918 Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 20 September – 29 October 1918 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 16 December 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – 7 December 1919 22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 7 November 1918 – 29 January 1919 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 12–14 September 1918; 20 September – 4 November 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7–20 September 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8–20 September 1918 Detachment of 24th Aero Squadron (Observation), 9–18 October 1918, 27 October – 6 November 1918 Touquin Aerodrome 48°43′43″N 02°59′17″E / 48.72861°N 2.98806°E Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) WSW of Touquin, Île-de-France Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 28 June – 9 July 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 30 June – 9 July 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 Vavincourt Aerodrome 48°48′56″N 05°12′44″E / 48.81556°N 5.21222°E Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) SSE of Vavincourt, Lorraine Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 22 September – 11 November 1918 24th Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 September 1918 – 7 May 1919 91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 September 1918 – 7 May 1919[1] 9th Aero Squadron (Night Observation) 21 September – 21 November 1918 Detachment operated from Souilly Aerodrome, 9–18 October 1918, 27 October-6 November 1918 Vaucouleurs Aerodrome 48°37′47″N 05°38′57″E / 48.62972°N 5.64917°E Located 2.1 miles (3.4 km) NNW of Vaucouleurs, Lorraine Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 30 July – 20 September 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 16 July –20 September 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 2 August 1918 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 24 September 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 August –20 September 1918 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 26 July – 24 September 1918[1] 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 May – 30 June 1918[1] Verdun Aerodrome 49°09′33″N 05°24′47″E / 49.15917°N 5.41306°E Undetermined location near Verdun, Lorraine Detachment of 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 25 September 1918 – unknown 1919 Detachment of 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – unknown 1919 Villeneuve les Vertus Aerodrome 48°56′14″N 04°03′30″E / 48.93722°N 4.05833°E Located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) NE of Vertus, Champagne-Ardenne 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 5 March –1 April 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 18 February – 1 April 1918

Support aerodromes

Colombey-les-Belles Aerodrome Headquarters, Commanding General, Services of Supply 1st Air Depot. 48°31′51″N 05°53′02″E / 48.53083°N 5.88389°E Airfield: 48°31′28″N 05°54′28″E / 48.52444°N 5.90778°E Initial supply and equipment depot for new units. Army personnel/medical center Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Colombey-les-Belles, Lorraine[2] Latrecey Aerodrome 47°58′50″N 04°52′42″E / 47.98056°N 4.87833°E 2d Air Depot Orly Airport, Paris 48°43′39″N 02°22′07″E / 48.72750°N 2.36861°E Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1 Now: Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) Ravennefontaines Airdrome 48°01′55″N 005°35′58″E / 48.03194°N 5.59944°E 6th Air Depot

Romorantin Aerodrome 47°21′31″N 01°44′50″E / 47.35861°N 1.74722°E Air Service Production Center No. 2. Receiving point for all Liberty DH-4 planes shipped from the United States as well as a salvage area for wrecked airplanes.[2] Located near Romorantin-Lanthenay, Centre St. Maixent Replacement Barracks 46°24′52″N 00°12′38″W / 46.41444°N 0.21056°W Air Service Replacement Concentration Center Primary reception and classification center for new units assigned to AEF. Located in Saint-Maixent-l'École, Poitou-Charentes Vinets Aerodrome 48°31′41″N 004°13′32″E / 48.52806°N 4.22556°E 5th Air Depot Undetermined location near Vinets, Champagne-Ardenne

Training schools

Aviation Instruction Centers

1st Aviation Instructional Center (1st AIC) Reuilly Barracks, Paris (Headquarters) Mechanics Training School Schools located at following factories: Hispano-Suiza Factory Renault Factory Breguet Factory Brasier Factory Nieuport Factory Bleriot Factory 2d Aviation Instructional Center (2d AIC) Tours Aerodrome 47°25′50″N 00°43′08″E / 47.43056°N 0.71889°E Preliminary observation, radio, photography and gunnery school Located near: Tours, Centre[1] Now: Tours Val de Loire Airport 3d Aviation Instruction Center (3d AIC) Issoudun Aerodrome 46°57′16″N 01°59′18″E / 46.95444°N 1.98833°E Advanced pursuit and observation school Located near: Issoudun, Centre[2] 4th Aviation Instruction Center (4th AIC) Avord Aerodrome [2] 47°03′14″N 02°37′59″E / 47.05389°N 2.63306°E Advanced flying school Location: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) NW of Avord, Centre Now: Avord Air Base (BA 102)[1]

5th Aviation Instruction Center (5th AIC) Location Bron (Rhone), France 45°43′46″N 04°56′20″E / 45.72944°N 4.93889°E Mechanics training school (closed late 1917)* 6th Aviation Instruction Center (6th AIC) Pau (Basses-Pyrenees), France 43°22′19″N 00°25′20″W / 43.37194°N 0.42222°W Advanced flying school[2] 7th Aviation Instruction Center (7th AIC) Clermont-Ferrand Aerodrome [2] 45°47′08″N 03°09′45″E / 45.78556°N 3.16250°E Bombardment training school Located near Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne Now: Clermont-Ferrand Airport 8th Aviation Instruction Center (8th AIC) Foggia Aerodrome 41°26′17″N 15°32′38″E / 41.43806°N 15.54389°E Foggia, Italy

* The 5th Aviation Instruction Center at Bron (now Lyon–Bron Airport) was located at the French Air Service Mechanics School. The first Americans were sent to the school in mid-September, 1917. The school was overcrowded and was lacking in proper quarters and mess facilities for the Americans. Also a lack of English-speaking instructors led to the decision to withdraw the Americans from the school. Students were sent to the 3d AIC at Issodun, with the last departing on 4 December 1917.^[4]

Artillery Aerial Observation Schools 1st Artillery Aerial Observation School (1st AAOS) 47°56′43″N 002°09′00″W / 47.94528°N 2.15000°W Ecoles De Saint-Cyr Coetquidan (Camp de Coetquidan), France 2d Artillery Aerial Observation School (2d AAOS) 44°49′42″N 000°42′56″W / 44.82833°N 0.71556°W Sourge (Camp de Souge), France Now: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport 3d Artillery Aerial Observation School (3d AAOS) 48°44′11″N 004°08′55″E / 48.73639°N 4.14861°E Haussimont (Mailly), France 4th Artillery Aerial Observation School (4th AAOS) 47°45′43″N 02°46′56″W / 47.76194°N 2.78222°W Locmaria-Grand-Champ (Camp De Meucon), France 5th Artillery Aerial Observation School (5th AAOS) 47°09′21″N 06°17′38″W / 47.15583°N 6.29389°W Le Valdahon (Camp La Valdehon), France Artillery Officers School (Aviation Detachment) 47°11′27″N 00°03′11″W / 47.19083°N 0.05306°W Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg (Saumur Artillery School Aerodrome), France Observation School for Artillery Officers

Miscellaneous AEF Schools Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center Cazaux Aerodrome, France 44°32′01″N 01°07′34″W / 44.53361°N 1.12611°W Now: Cazaux Air Base (BA 120) St. John-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School Saint-Jean-de-Monts Aerodrome, France 46°45′53″N 02°02′09″W / 46.76472°N 2.03583°W I Corps Aeronautical School** Gondrecourt-le-Château, France II Corps Aeronautical School Chatillon-Sur-Seine Aerodrome, France 47°50′54″N 04°34′50″E / 47.84833°N 4.58056°E

** The I Corps Aeronautical School was a temporary school, located at the French Air Service machine-gun training school at Gondrecourt-le-Château. About 225 men were sent to the school during March and April, 1918.^[4]

British sector

Allonville Aerodrome 49°56′47″N 02°22′24″E / 49.94639°N 2.37333°E Approximate location:0.5 miles (0.80 km) NE of Allonville, Picardy[2] 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit),11–18 August 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Auxi-le-Château Aerodrome 50°13′54″N 02°06′46″E / 50.23167°N 2.11278°E Undetermined location near Auxi-le-Château, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 August – 20 September 1918 Detachment operated from Beugnatre Airdrome, 10–20 September 1918 Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC [1] Baizieux Airdrome 49°27′29″N 03°16′45″E / 49.45806°N 3.27917°E Undetermined location near Baizieux, Picardy 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September –15 October 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Bray-Dunes Airdrome 51°04′15″N 02°31′29″E / 51.07083°N 2.52472°E Undetermined location near Bray-Dunes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2–5 May 1918 Cappelle Airdrome 50°59′56″N 02°21′50″E / 50.99889°N 2.36389°E Undetermined location near Cappelle-la-Grande, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 30 June – 22 July 1918 Squadron attached to British 3d Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Petite Synthe Aerodrome 51°01′15″N 02°20′39″E / 51.02083°N 2.34417°E Undetermined location near Petite-Synthe, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 June – 19 August 1918 Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC

Remaisnil Airdrome 50°12′02″N 02°14′45″E / 50.20056°N 2.24583°E Undetermined location near Remaisnil, Picardy 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 August – 20 September 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Beugnâtre Airdrome 50°07′49″N 02°52′35″E / 50.13028°N 2.87639°E Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Beugnâtre, Nord-Pas-de-Calais[2] Detachment of 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10–20 September 1918 Crochte Airdrome 50°56′04″N 02°23′14″E / 50.93444°N 2.38722°E Undetermined location near Crochte, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 8 June – 4 July 1918 Guinness Aerodrome 50°52′06″N 01°52′13″E / 50.86833°N 1.87028°E Undetermined location near Guînes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 24–26 June 1918 Saint-Omer Aerodrome 50°45′00″N 02°15′07″E / 50.75000°N 2.25194°E Undetermined location near Saint-Omer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24–27 June 1918 Leffrinckoucke Airdrome 51°03′03″N 02°26′18″E / 51.05083°N 2.43833°E Undetermined location near Leffrinckoucke, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 5 May – 18 June 1918 Sonchamp Aerodrome 48°34′34″N 01°52′35″E / 48.57611°N 1.87639°E Undetermined location near Sonchamp, Île-de-France 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 4 November 1918

^{[2] [5] [6]}

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

1. "Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.".
2. Reference for Geographic coordinates of Aerodromes
3. "United States Air Service - USAS". usaww1.com.
4. US National Archives, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, Series J Volume 10 Histories of the 5th (Bron), and 6th (Pau) Aviation Instruction Centers, Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center, St. John-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School, 1st-5th Aerial Observation Schools, I and II Corps Aeronautical Schools, and Detachments at the Artillery Candidates School, and French, English, and Italian Aviation Scools via http://www.fold3.com
5. Maurer, Maurer (1978), The US Air Service In World War I, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF
6. Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.

External links