148th Aero Squadron

148th Aero Squadron
Pilots of the 148th Aero Squadron, Gengault Aerodrome, Toul, France
Active	11 November 1917-24 March 1919
Country	United States
Branch	Air Service, United States Army
Type	Squadron
Role	Pursuit
Part of	American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) Attached to: Royal Air Force (RAF)
Fuselage Code	White Triangle (RAF)
Engagements	World War I
Commanders
Notable commanders	Captain Field E. Kindley
Insignia
148th Aero Squadron Emblem
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Sopwith F-1 Camel SPAD S.XI
Trainer	Curtiss JN-4

Aces: 7

The 148th Aero Squadron was a unit of the United States Army Air Service that fought on the Western Front during World War I.

As a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron. its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines.

The squadron flew combat operations attached to the British Royal Air Force between July–October 1918. In October 1918, the squadron was transferred to the United States Second Army 4th Pursuit Group. However, with Second Army's planned offensive drive on Metz cancelled due to the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron saw no combat with Second Army.

After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, it was demobilized in 1919 as part of the Air Service, Second United States Army.

There is no modern United States Air Force unit that shares its lineage and history.

The squadron was formed at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, on 11 November 1917. The unit was organized with a full complement of men by 17 November, and was ordered transferred to the Royal Flying Corps training school at Camp Taliaferro, Fort Worth, Texas, for training. Camp Taliaferro was made up of three different airfields: Everman Field, to the south, Benbrook Field, to the west and Hicks Field to the north.

The squadron was initially assigned to Everman Field for instruction in airplane engines and rigging. After about a month, the support clerks, motor drivers, quartermasters, etc. were sent to Benbrook Field for training. The squadron was re-assembled at Hicks Field on 24 January. Flying training was begun with eighteen Curtiss JN-4 Jennies. A month was spent at Hicks and the flying cadets completed their training, were commissioned and assigned to duty as flying officers within the squadron. On 14 February 1918, orders were received for overseas movement and the squadron left Texas for Garden City, Long Island, New York, arriving on 19 February.