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TO ALL MEMBERS  -7-  February 16, 1943

be properly referred to as, "Government Contract Operation."

The air lines at the present time indulge in two types of operations; one, of course, is their regular domestic service, which they operate under their regular certificates of convenience and necessity which are issued by the CAB. In addition, they are transporting men and material for the armed forces under contract with the United States government. In the first place, "Army Cargo" is not correctly descriptive because in most instances both supplies and men are being transported -- not just cargo. The proper terminology for this service is "Government Contract Operation" and the flying done in connection with this service is termed improperly when it is referred to as "Army Cargo flying." It should, in the opinion of Headquarters, be referred to as "Government Contract flying."

SEMIMILITARY UNIFORMS FOR AIR LINE PILOTS

The question of uniforms for pilots engaged in government contract flying has been the subject of much discussion during the past several weeks. It seems that several months ago, the Air Transport Command asked the Air Transport Association to make recommendations regarding a uniform for the pilots operating in the overseas government contract flying and, as usual, this organization promptly barged into the picture and just as promptly botched it up. Our own skirts in this situation are not entirely clean because it seems that the ATA, in order to involve the air line pilots, asked several of them to serve on a Uniform Committee, and without notifying Headquarters, they promptly participated. 

Subsequently, some of the pilots appeared in these uniforms, and an endless string of complaints introduced this subject to Headquarters. There was no complaint against the basic style and art of the uniform because it is a replica of the uniform of Army Air Corps officers, but, according to the complaints received, the decorations are "tinny" and when worn, a pilot looks little more than a walking billboard for the Air Transport Association. In short, the Kitty Hawk insignia is the commercial insignia of the Air Transport Association, and this insignia is woven throughout practically all of the decorations on the uniform. The breast wings are tinny, and upon investigation we found that they were merely an enlargement of QB wings. We certainly have nothing against QB wings, but we feel that they should remain QB wings and not be made a part of a semimilitary uniform. 

Finally, I was called in to discuss a number of matters with H.L. George, Commanding General, Air Transport Command, and the problem of the uniform for pilots engaged in Government Contract Operation came up. As a result of this discussion, the subject was carried before our Central Executive Council at its January 20, 1943 meeting and they recommended certain changes in the uniform's decorations and ruled that the Geneva Conference Immunity Triangle should be worn at all times. This is an insignia that has great International significance and must be worn by all civilians operating in war zones to insure them of being accorded the privileges of war in the event of capture or internment.