Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
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to clear the way. The 67th had retired from Guadalcanal for a welldeserved<br />
rest, but pilots of the 44th, 68th, 7oth, and 3 39th Fighter<br />
Squadrons took up the burden.<br />
Most significant among these encouraging events was the activation<br />
of the Thirteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, occurring, appropriately enough, on<br />
13 January 1943. Although operational control remained with<br />
COMSOPAC, AAF units henceforth were trained and administered<br />
by a theater air force, under General Twining. It was this air force,<br />
evolved from such pioneer units as the xith Group and the 67th<br />
Fighter Squadron, that was destined to move up through the Solomons<br />
until it rested on the Admiralties beyond Rabaul, then to swing<br />
along the north coast of New Guinea, through successive forward<br />
strides, anticipating the day when its mission reports would come<br />
in headed-Tokyo.<br />
50<br />
56 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1945