Ce
To conduct all air operations necessary to the execution
of Operation SANDSTONE.
3. OFFICE OF THE AIR COMMANDER ORGANIZED
An analysis of the function of the Air Forces in Operation SANDSTONE
showed that two definitetypes of activity wore necessary:
First, that of
staff operations in Headquarters, Joint Task Force SEVEN; and second,
operations in the field, or the actual accomplishment of the mission. The
Office of the Commander, Air Forces, was designated to perform the first
of these two functions, and Task Group 7.4 was organized to accomplish the
seconde
The problem of staff operations was complicated by the necessity
for a close relationship between the Headquarters of the Task Force with
the Commander, Air Forces, and with the many agencies that had to be dealt
with in the Task Force as a whole, as well as coordination with other agenoies
outstide of the Task Force supporting the operations.
In organizing the staff of the Air Commander, it was realized that
the main function to be performed was the direction of air operations.
The
preparation of operational plans and orders to implement this direction
required a diversified and well-balanced start.
An analysis of these re-
quirements resulted in the formation of the Office of the Air Commander on
12 November 1947 with assignments as indicated on Chart 4.
It should be
noted here thatall of the personnel assigned did not arrive on that date,
and that a complete discussion of the assignments and arrival of personnel
is contained in Annex “A", Part Two of this report.
A study of this chart will emphasize the fact that the Office of the
Air Commander was one of operations, with sufficient personnel assigned to
accomplish the administrative aspects of operations.
In connection with