The Air Corps Tactical School

The intellectual underpinnings for the development of American air power after the First World War took place at the Air Corps Tactical School, located at Langley Field, Virginia from 1920 to 1931 and thereafter at Maxwell Field in Alabama. Chapter Two traces the true changes in air power thought and theory that began at ACTS in 1930s. Graduates of ACTS included air power luminaries included Harold George, Haywood “Possum” Hansell, Hoyt Vandenberg, George Kenney, Ira Eaker, Claire Chennault, and Kuter, “Larry” to his friends. This chapter is important because it shows these theorists, not only great thinkers, but men, who lived, laughed, argued, and drank with each other. Finally, this chapter discusses the schism that developed between the adherents of strategic bombardment theory and those who focused on pursuit (fighter) aviation. It was not just a doctrinal dispute, but one that tore friendships apart.