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Bombardment and Attack organizations and these are the ones which must be used and must be relied upon for protecting our extended coast line against attack by an overseas enemy."

"4. That part of the air establishment which works directly with ground troops, that is, the Observation Squadrons and Balloon Companies, would not have to begin its operation until the ground organizations themselves were prepared for active operations. On the other hand, a sufficient part of what I have been above called the Air Force, the offensive component of the Air establishment, should be instantly available, ready to take the field and execute its mission the minute war is declared. The necessity for this is obvious. Prior to the declaration of war, the enemy might have a considerable Naval Force including airplane carriers in the vicinity of our coast line ready instantly to launch an aerial attack upon any of our important coastwise cities. With the "Air Force" at present authorised, we have not sufficient strength to protect adequately any one of our larger seaports from such an attack of the sea.
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"9. This extract from the report of the Commanding General of the Hawaiian Department bears strongly upon another kindred matter to which it is desired likewise to invite attention, that is, the urgent necessity for a clear cut definition of the mission of the Army Air Service, and an equally clearly drawn line of demarcation between the missions of the Air Service of the Army and the Navy in the defense of our coasts. This is necessary in order to avoid needless and expensive duplication of effort, and in order that both services may be thoroughly conversant with the work they are expected to do. The air defense of our coast line, insofar as this is carried on from land bases, should be primarily, peculiarly and distinctly a function of the Army Air Service. The Navy has always heretofore objected to being tied to the coast line, has insisted that its major mission is on the high seas, and this is believed to be most sound doctrine. The Naval Air Service should cooperate with the surface and sub-surface craft constituting the fleet in the executing of its mission. The Navy, as heretofore, should be free to seek and destroy the enemy on the high seas and should not even contemplate having to sacrifice part of its strength or detach any of its components in order to provide serial defense at any point on our coast line".
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CONFIDENTIAL