In 1934, the United States Army Air Corps Command planned a mission that would become a landmark in the history of American Aviation: On July 19th, ten new Martin B-10 bombers, led by the by-then lieutenant-colonel Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, departed from Bolling Air Base – close to Washington, D.C. – and, after flying over the Canadian cities of Winnipeg and Edmonton, arrived in Fairbanks (Alaska) on the 24th.
One month earlier, Arnold had gathered the aircraft in Wright Field, where he carefully organized the expedition: He divided the flight into three sections, one of which was under his direct command and, to lead the other two, he chose majors Hugh Knerr and Ralph Royce.
Altogether the mission was composed by fourteen officers and sixteen N.C.O´s.
For about a month, the Martins carried out many exploration flights over Alaska, including aerophotographic reconaissance missions, covering an area of around 60.000 square kilometres.
On July 17th, Arnold led the flight to Washington to start the raid two days later.
On August 16th the aircraft departed from Fairbanks back to Washington and, after flying over Seattle (State of Washington) and Omaha (Nebraska), landed on Bolling Air Base on the 20th, where they were received by the Secretary of War, George H.Dern and the Chief of the Army Air Corps, major-general Benjamin D.Foulois.
The expedition had flown for around 11.265 kilometres, greatly over territory of which there was no previous cartography.
Overall, the expedition was highly successful, allowing the crews to train in long-range flights, in order to defend Alaska in case of emergency and to fly over mainly uninhabited areas, allowing to draw maps of the overflown regions.
It was also necessary a careful planning of the logistics for such a long flight.
The Martins demonstrated its qualities for such flights, since only one plane had to land on water at Cook Inlet (Anchorage) for engine failures, although it was restored to flying condition for the returning flight.
In recognition of his outstanding qualities in leading this significant flight, the mission commander, lieutenant-colonel Arnold, was awarded the 1934 Mackay Trophy.
In the words of the expedition leader: “We proved to be possible to take Air Corps tactical units to Alaska fast and bring them back successfully”.
To be continued with… “Its service in Argentine Naval Aviation”
