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US Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Training Program

By the early 1940s, the Army Air Corps faced another war and was again short of flyers. In June 1941, Congress created the grade of aviation cadet, and the Army launched a massive flight-training program. Within two years, its annual output would soar to more than 65,700 pilots, 16,000 bombardiers, and 15,900 navigators. In time, the cadet program would expand to train nonrated officers in such fields as communications, armament, weather, and radar.

To get that many applicants, the Army had to lower its age and education requirements. When I applied a few weeks after the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, I had just turned eighteen and was a high school senior.

Ramon entered the Aviation Cadet Program in 1941/42 and eventually earned the highest achievable position, B-17 heavy bomber pilot. Not only was he responsible for flying the B-17, but he was also responsible for his 9 crew members.

Aviation cadet centers:

  • Gulf Coast Army Air Corps Center (GCAACTC)– Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas (1931–47).

  • West Coast Army Air Corps Training Center (WCAACTC) – Moffett Field, Sunnyvale, California (1940–41). Santa Ana Army Air Base (SAAAB); Santa Ana, California (1942–1947).

  • Southeast Army Air Corps Training Center (SAACTC) – Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama (1940–47). From 1942, classification and pre-flight took place at Nashville AAC, Tennessee.[1]:549

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