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should be parts of the service using them, commissioned or enlisted in it.  Aviation personnel used by other departments of the Government should similarly be parts of those departments.  Departments using aircraft should also be free to develop by experiment the characteristics of such type of craft and accessories as are peculiarly adapted to its work.

Because it is a necessity, in our means of offense and defense in time of war, there remains the vital necessity of organizing and operating in the Air Department a separate air force.  The functions of this force are raiding operations and air fighting; it must always be remembered that a strong and well organized air fighting force is the only known means of defense against invasion by air.  On account of the fact that raiding and air fighting are specialties, only in the infancy of their development, I am satisfied that our efficiency in those lines will not develop properly unless a separate force for this purpose is created as a part of the Air Department.  A separate tactical organization with its controlling personnel permanently assigned to this duty seems indispensable for prompt perfection of these new methods in warfare and for the creation of an esprit which is so essential to any offensive or defensive force.

This Air Force can either be operated under its own leaders independently or, if strategic necessity demands, it can be assigned to operate under either the high command of the Army or the Navy, and, while so assigned, will become an integral part of those forces.

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