Page "Air National Guard" Paragraph 22

After the Fall of France, during 1940-1941, approximately 4, 800 experienced National Guard aviation personnel were mobilized from their observation squadrons.

They provided a significant augmentation of the Army's rapidly expanding air arm during a critical period.

Most Guard air units were stripped of many key personnel, and the units were federalized into the regular Army Air Corps and were re-equipped with more modem aircraft.

Some of the early-deploying squadrons maintained a degree of unit integrity and cohesion.

But, most lost their character and identity as Guard organizations during World War II.