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The ground forces may be deprived entirely of the assistance of aircraft when the air forces of the enemy are so greatly superior as to be able to drive friendly planes from the air. Aircraft are subject to rapid attrition. They may be absent when needed.

On the other hand, fixed defenses are hard to put out of action. They are always at hand when needed. They have demonstrated their ability to keep hostile naval vessels out of the harbors they defend.

It is up to the youngest member of the team to measure up to the standard already set. Maintenance difficulties in operation aircraft and the probable scarcity of planes for harbor defense require that Army and Navy aviators assigned to this duty should perfect plans for interchange of duties and materiel, and for supporting each other in air operations. For example a single airplane could probably inspect and patrol the mine fields of both the Harbor Defenses and the Naval District forces.

During periods of relative inactivity, when offshore reconnaissance is the principal duty for aircraft, inshore patrol might be taken over entirely by Army aircraft to divide the burden of flying duty. It is obvious that joint operations of the Army and Navy air components may be rendered more efficient if the tactical methods and procedure of both air components are the same as far as practicable. An entire similarity of air operations of the two services is probably neither necessary nor possible. However, better cooperation may be secured by standardizing certain methods and practices. For example the Navy uses the 24-hour

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