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Mid-January Start Slated For Willow Run Reserves

Mid-January Start Slated For Willow Run Reserves image
Parent Issue
Ann Arbor News, December 29, 1955
Day
29
Month
December
Year
1955
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
OCR Text

WILLOW RUN - Flying operations of an Air Force Reserve squadron based at Willow Run Airport are scheduled to start in mid-January, an AF spokesman said today,
Following official notification last week from Air Force headquarters, the 10th AF Base at Selfridge Field has begun moving men and equipment of the reactivated 472nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron here.
The Reserve unit, eventually comprising some 400 reservists, is based at the Packard Hangar on the east side of the airfield. Together with some 23 adjoining acres, the building is the only airport property owned by the government, which early this year announced intentions of basing a reserve unit here, Recruiting Planned
Forming a nucleus. for the 472nd will be about 35 men from the Washtenaw county area who currently drive to Selfridge Field for their training. A recruiting campaign has also begun here to fill the squadron.
When in full operation, the spokesman stated. the unit here will have a permanent complement of some 80 officers and military men and civilian employee. All will have to find housing in neighboring communities, as there is no available space at the new base for permanent living headquarters.
The reservists will be commanded by Maj. Phillip G. Kuhn, 39-year-old World War II flying ace from Wyandotte. Weekend Schedule Set Up
Maj. Kuhn, said today all flying activities of the reservists will be on weekends and adjusted to "stay away as much as possible" from the more heavily populated areas here.
The Air Force decision to move a unit here was made in the hope of increasing voluntary active participation in the Air Force Reserve program by bringing training facilities closer to reservists, Gen. Robert E. L. Eaton, commander of the 10th, said yesterday at Selfridge Field.
Gen. Eaton also announced that the squadron, when at full strength, will boast 25 jet fighter bombers, plus trainers and other supporting aircraft. In the initial move here, however, only 10 jets will be involved for the weekend flying.