United_States_Army Flight_officer

u.s. army air forces flight officer rank insignia used during world war ii.



the gallet flight officer chronograph (1939), commissioned harry s truman s senatorial staff issue flight officers , pilots of army air forces during wwii.

flight officer united states army air forces rank used during world war ii, 1942 1945; rank being created on sep 10, 1942 on 5 november 1942 military glider pilots commissioned flight officers after completion of training. new rank insignia nicknamed blue pickle .

the rank equivalent warrant officer junior grade (wojg) today s warrant officer (nato grade: w-1). enlisted , aviation cadet trainees passed air qualification training appointed flight officers , served rated pilots, navigators, flight engineers, bombardiers , glider pilots. @ end of world war ii, army air forces discontinued use of rank of flight officer. of service s flight officers had either been promoted commissioned officer ranks during course of war or discharged.

in late 1940s, following creation of separate air force in 1947, united states army required more pilots. however, congressionally-imposed commissioned officer strength levels prevented pilot expansion. army requested authority establish flight officer/warrant officer program. proposal rejected because army had 3 groups of personnel – -enlisted, warrant officer , commissioned officer. fall position, department of army decided grade of flight officer in reality warrant officer grade restriction warrant officer junior grade rank (wojg).

the warrant officer flight program begun in 1949 , first pilots graduated in 1951. of warrant officers trained fly helicopters; army had begun helicopter pilot training course officers in 1948. flight warrant officer candidates had between ages of 18 , 28 when began training, though begin training if have 18th or hadn t yet had 29th birthday.

army commissioned- , warrant officer pilots under transportation corps 1947 1983, after army aviation had own branch. allowed artillery spotting, reconnaissance, , casualty evacuation roles, air force had lock on else.