Bruce A. Bingle

Building the Air Force: Major General Mason Patrick and the Army Air Service Bruce A. Bingle

As Chief of the Army Air Service from 1921 to 1927, Major General Mason Patrick led the establishment of the Air Service as an institution and pushed forward recognition of air power doctrine as a major part of warfare. He assumed command with the air arm in chaos after the demobilization following World War I and tackled problems in two main areas: doctrine and the fight for autonomy, and laying the bureaucratic foundation for the continuance of branch as an institution. Working within established channels as opposed to the public rhetoric of air power zealots such as Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, Patrick made major strides in advancing the Air Service toward its goal of independence. The Air Corps Act of 1926 was Patrick's crowning achievement proving his abilities as a leader worthy of study.