The first major route opened in 1942 to Brazil and across the south Atlantic to Africa and the Middle East, flying much needed weapons, ammunition, and supplies to the British and other Allied forces who were fighting the German Afrika Corps. The ATC built chains of airfields with concrete runways around the world so that heavy transports could operate anywhere. ![]() The ATC’s Air Transportation Division quickly established a vast national and international route network. From there, the aircraft were flown to overseas destinations including war zones. The ATC’s Ferrying Division, which included the famous Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), replaced the Army Air Forces Ferrying Command and delivered newly-built aircraft from their factories to training bases or ports of embarkation. The ATC functioned as an enormous international airline, combining the efforts of the Ferry Command, which moved combat aircraft around the world, and the Air Service Command, which moved cargo and personnel. Smith, who served as executive officer.Īir Transport Command flight crew wore a distinctive khaki uniform. They benefited immensely from the experience of American Airlines president Maj. ![]() The airline pilots possessed critical knowledge and experience in how to operate a regularly scheduled service over long distances. Airline pilots and flight crew, many of whom were reserve officers in the military, were also called into the ATC and joined their military counterparts. “Hap” Arnold, who wanted to unify civilian and military air transport operations. The ATC was formed in June 1942 at the order of U.S. ![]() Two hundred of the nation’s 360 airliners – particularly the superlative Douglas DC-3s - were drafted for the war effort and placed under the control of the Air Transport Command (ATC). The airline opened regular transatlantic service in 1942. TWA transferred its entire fleet of five Boeing 307s, along with their flight crews, to the ATC.
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