List of Air Service American Expeditionary Force aerodromes in France

Air Service recruiting poster, 1917–1918

see also: Organization of the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force

When the United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917, the Air Service of the United States Army existed only as a branch of the Signal Corps, and was known by the name of Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. It consisted of 1,120 personnel, of which 65 were officers. The Army was not ready for the deployment of aviation forces to Europe, and it became necessary to prepare after President Woodrow Wilson's declaration of war. ^[1]

Overview

Aerial Gunnery and Armament School Newspaper Saint-Jean-de-Monts The Fly Paper - 18 November 1918

Locations of major Air Service, United States Army stations in France, 1918

As part of the buildup of US forces, aviation units were formed into aero squadrons primarily at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, with additional units being formed at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. ^[1] Once formed, and prior to their deployment to Europe, Camp Taliaferro, north of Fort Worth, Texas, and several airfields near Toronto, Ontario, Canada were used by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to perform flight training for the new aero squadrons. Camp Hancock, near Augusta, Georgia, was used for training service squadrons of aircraft mechanics as well as flight training. ^[2]

When ordered to deploy, units departed though Garden City, New York, which was the primary port of embarkment. Units there were loaded onto transport ships for the trans-Atlantic crossing. Upon arrival in Europe, Liverpool, England, and Brest, France, were the primary ports of disembarkation, although other ports were also used. Some aero squadrons arriving in England received additional training from the Royal Flying Corps, and later the Royal Air Force (RAF) once it was established, and were then attached to British squadrons, deploying with them to France. Others received further training and were sent to Winchester, Hampshire, where they awaited their cross-channel transfer to France, using the port of Southampton. ^[1]

After deployment to France, Air Service Replacement Concentration Barracks in St. Maixent was the primary reception center for new aero squadrons assigned to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). There, units were classified as pursuit, bombardment or as observation units. Once processed, units were sent to one of several Air Instructional Centers (AIC) where they received additional training, then/or to the First Corps Observation Group School on Amanty Aerodrome or to the First Pursuit Organization and Training Center on Villeneuve-les-Vertus Aerodrome. ^[1]

8th Aero Squadron (Observation), Saizerais Aerodrome, France, 11 November 1918

After assignment, the Air Service's deployed units operated from grass aerodromes, at first using airfields already built by the French "Aéronautique Militaire", then from new aerodromes purposely built for the American forces. The exact location of many of these aerodromes is no longer certain as many archives have since disappeared, and as the facilities were only temporary, most of the traces have long vanished through ploughing.^{[ citation needed ]}

After the Armistice came into effect in November 1918, the wartime Air Service was demobilized. This process was completed within a year and the National Defense Act of 1920 then established the United States Army Air Service on a permanent basis, with several new units being formed. Later, some of the temporary wartime units were consolidated to retain the lineage and honors of their wartime service with the AEF.^{[ citation needed ]}

Stations

Below is a list of the barracks and aerodromes used by the American Expeditionary Force that were sent to France during World War I. ^[3] Most of the headquarters and command services used barracks or requisitioned properties not linked with flying grounds, yet some were installed on airfields as in Souilly, Saizerais or in Toul, where the "Gengoult" barracks had been built by the French "Aeronautique Militaire" on the northern edge of the Croix de Metz airfields (misspelt for "Gengault").^{[ citation needed ]}

American sector

Command and control

• Headquarters, Air Service, AEF, Chaumont, Champagne-Ardenne ^[1]
• First Army Air Service ^[1]

Organized at: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 10 August 1918

Moved to: Ligny-en-Barrois, Lorraine, 25 August 1918

Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 21 September – 11 November 1918

• Second Army Air Service ^[1]

Organized at: Toul, Lorraine, 12 October – 11 November 1918

• Third Army Air Service

Organized at: Ligny-en-Barrois, Lorraine, 14 November 1918

Moved to: Longuyon, Lorraine, 22 November 1918

Moved to Germany.

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I Corps, Air Service, First Army [1] Organized at: Neufchâteau, Lorraine, 10 February 1918 Moved to: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 1 July 1918 Moved to: Coincy, Picardy, 10 August 1918 Moved to: Toul, Lorraine, 16 August 1918 Moved to: Saizerais, Lorraine, 2 September 1918 Moved to: Rarécourt, Lorraine, 12 September 1918 Moved to: Chéhéry, Champagne-Ardenne, 2–11 November 1918 III Corps, Air Service, First Army [1] Organized at: Château-Thierry, Picardy, 2 August 1918 Moved to: Goussancourt, Picardy, 1 September 1918 Moved to: Malancourt, Lorraine, 24 October 1918 Moved to: Dun-sur-Meuse, Lorraine, 10–11 November 1918

V Corps, Air Service, First Army [1] Organized at: Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté, 7 August 1918 Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 7 September 1918 Moved to: Fauconcourt, Lorraine, 20 September 1918 Moved to: Ville-sur-Cousances, Lorraine, 22 September 1918 Moved to: Cheppy, Lorraine, 31 October – 11 November 1918 VI Corps, Air Service, First Army [1] Located at: Saizerais, Lorraine, 23 October – 11 November 1918

Combat aerodromes

Amanty Aerodrome 48°31′37″N05°35′54″E / 48.52694°N 5.59833°E / 48.52694; 5.59833 (Amanty) Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) NW of Amanty, Meuse [2] French, then American Air Service training and operational airfield [1] I Corps Observation Group School [1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 2 February-3 May 1918 Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 10–25 September 1918 1st Aero Squadron (training), 19 October 1917 – 4 April 1918 91st Aero Squadron (training), 14 December 1917 – 24 May 1918 88th Aero Squadron (training), 1 February – 28 May 1918 12th Aero Squadron (training, then observation), 2 February – 3 May 1918 90th Aero Squadron (training), 19 April – 13 June 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation School), 31 May – 1 July 1918 135th Aero Squadron (training), 19–30 July 1918 8th Aero Squadron (training), 31 July – 31 August 1918 50th Aero Squadron (training), 27 July – 4 September 1918 104th Aero Squadron (training), 1–4 August 1918 9th Aero Squadron (Night Army Observation) 28 August – 21 September 1918 96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 18 May – 23 September 1918 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 7–23 September 1918 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 6–24 September 1918 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 21–25 September 1918 Autreville Aerodrome 48°27′39″N05°49′41″E / 48.46083°N 5.82806°E / 48.46083; 5.82806 (Autreville) Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) SSW of Autreville, Vosges [2] RAF operational, then American Air Service training and operational airfield [1] 168th Aero Squadron (training) 2 Sept 1918 - 5 Oct 1918 186th Aero Squadron (training), 18 Sept 1918 – 29 Oct 1918 354th Aero Squadron (training, then Corps Observation), 30 Sept 1918 – 25 Oct 1918 278th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 1 Oct 1918 – 10 Nov 1918 Badonvilliers Aerodrome 48°32′59″N05°35′12″E / 48.54972°N 5.58667°E / 48.54972; 5.58667 (Badonvilliers) Unknown exact location, Badonvilliers, Meurthe-et-Moselle Built by 477th Aero Sqn (Construct.) 1–22 August 1918 Apparently never used Belrain Aerodrome 48°51′10″N05°18′17″E / 48.85278°N 5.30472°E / 48.85278; 5.30472 (Belrain) Located 1 mile (1.6 km) SSW of Belrain, Meuse [2] French, then American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 23 September – 11 December 1918 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 6 November 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 6 November 1918 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 September – 7 November 1918 22d Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 22 September – 7 November 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 30 November 1918 – 14 January 1919 99th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 31 November – 13 December 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 15 – 18 January 1918 Bethelainville Aerodrome 49°09′41″N05°13′34″E / 49.16139°N 5.22611°E / 49.16139; 5.22611 (Bethelainville) Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) WNW of Béthelainville, Meuse [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 29 October – 11 November 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 19 October – 15 January 1919 88th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 4–29 November 1918 Bicqueley Aerodrome 48°37′34″N05°54′46″E / 48.62611°N 5.91278°E / 48.62611; 5.91278 (Bicqueley) Undetermined location near Bicqueley, Meurthe-et-Moselle French and American Air Service operational airfield [1] 50th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 8–24 September 1918 Bonne Maison Aerodrome 49°16′34″N003°43′09″E / 49.27611°N 3.71917°E / 49.27611; 3.71917 (Bonne Maison) Located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) ESE of Fismes, Marne French 6th Army Air Service airfield from January 1917 (previously 5th Army) 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10 April – 2 May 1918 Chailly-en-Brie Aerodrome 48°47′42″N03°09′05″E / 48.79500°N 3.15139°E / 48.79500; 3.15139 (Chailly-en-Brie) Located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) E of Chailly-en-Brie, Seine et Marne [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 12–22 August 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 13–22 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 12–22 August 1918 Chaumont-Hill 402 48°06′04″N05°12′51″E / 48.10111°N 5.21417°E / 48.10111; 5.21417 (Chaumont-En-Bassigny (40Z)) Located 3.9 miles (6.3 km) ESE of Chaumont, Haute-Marne [2] Headquarters, Second Army Observation Group, 25 Oct 1918 - 4 Nov 1918 [1] Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 24 Sept 1918 – 11 Nov 1918 [1] Air Service HQ and operational airfield [1] 91st Aero Squadron (ground training) 15 Nov 1917 – 14 Dec 1917 [1] 12th Aero Squadron (ground training) 16 Jan 1918 – 2 Feb 1918 85th Aero Squadron (Observation, Second Army), 30 Sept 1918 – 4 Nov 1918 [1] 99th Aero Squadron (General Duties) 13 Dec 1918 – 19 Feb 1919 Coincy Aerodrome 49°09′30″N003°23′54″E / 49.15833°N 3.39833°E / 49.15833; 3.39833 (Coincy) Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) W of Coincy, Aisne [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit, advanced airfield) August 1918 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 10–12 August 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 10–13 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation) 10–12 August 1918 Croix-de-Metz Aerodrome (Toul) 48°41′53″N05°55′02″E / 48.69806°N 5.91722°E / 48.69806; 5.91722 (Gengault) Located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) NE of Toul, Meurthe et Moselle [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 6 July 1918 – c. 24 September 1918 Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 5 May 1918 – 28 June 1918 Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 29 June 1918 – 23 September 1918 Headquarters, 4th Pursuit Group, 26 October 1918 – 15 April 1919 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 22 August 1918 – 19 September 1918 1st Pursuit Organization and Training Center, then 1st Pursuit Group from 5 May (First Army) 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 April 1918 – 29 June 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 May 1918 – 28 June 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1 – 26 June 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1 – 28 June 1918 2nd Pursuit Group (First Army, part of the 1st Pursuit Wing from 6 July) 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 June 1918 – 23 September 1918 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 30 June 1918 – 24 September 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 July 1918 – 7 August 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2 August 1918 – 23 September 1918 22d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 16 August 1918 – 22 September 1918 28th Aero Squadron (3rd Pursuit Group, First Army) 15–16 July 1918 (transfer from Orly to Vaucouleurs). I Corps Observation Group (First Army) 1st Aero Squadron (Observ.), 22 August 1918 – 21 September 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observ.), 22 August 1918 – 20 September 1918 IV Corps Observation Group (First Army, then Second Army from 14 October - HQ in Remicourt then Julvécourt) 8th Aero Squadron (Observ.), 29 September 1918 – 23 October 1918 135th Aero Squadron (Observ.), 30 Sept 1918 – 21 November 1918 168th Aero Squadron (Observ.), 5 October 1918 – 21 November 1918 85th Aero Squadron (Observ.), 10–24 November 1918 4th Pursuit Group 822nd Aero Squadron, then 6th Air Park Oct 1918 - April 1919 141st Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 October 1918 – 19 April 1919 25th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 October 1918 – 15 April 1919 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 November 1918 – 12 December 1918 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 November 1918 – 11 December 1918 278th Aero Squadron (VII Corps Obs. Group/First Army, 14 Nov to Second Army) 14 November 1918 - 15 April 1919 [1] Delouze Aerodrome 48°34′18″N05°32′03″E / 48.57167°N 5.53417°E / 48.57167; 5.53417 (Delouze) Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) NE of Deouze, Meuse [2] American Air Service airfield [1] 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 26 August – 1 September 1918; 7–12 September 1918 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 26 August – 6 September 1918 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 26 August – 7 September 1918 100th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 26 August – 26 October 1918 163d Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 30 September – 1 November 1918 Epiez Aerodrome 48°32′43″N05°37′10″E / 48.54528°N 5.61944°E / 48.54528; 5.61944 (Epiez) Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) W of Epiez-sur-Meuse, Meuse [2] American, then French Air Service airfield [1] 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit, training) 24 April – 1 June 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit, training) 1–7 April 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit, training) 1 April – 4 May 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit, training) 22 April – 1 June 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation, on transit) 4–8 August 1918 Flin Aerodrome 48°29′52″N06°39′18″E / 48.49778°N 6.65500°E / 48.49778; 6.65500 (Flin) Undetermined location near Flin, SE of Chenevières OTAN/USAFE airfield, Meurthe-et-Moselle American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 13 – 29 June 1918 [1] 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 – 29 June 1918 Foucaucourt Aerodrome 48°59′45″N05°07′17″E / 48.99583°N 5.12139°E / 48.99583; 5.12139 (Foucaucourt) Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) ESE of Foucaucourt, Meuse [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 20 Sept 1918 – 4 Feb 1919 99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 Sept – 4 Nov 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 Sept – 4 Nov 1918 Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 6 Nov 1918 – 31 Dec 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 15 February 1919 [4] 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 15 December 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 5 January 1919 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 29 January 1919 [1] Francheville Aerodrome 48°51′10″N03°02′32″E / 48.85278°N 3.04222°E / 48.85278; 3.04222 (Francheville) Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) N of Mouroux, Seine et Marne [2] French and American Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 6–30 July 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7 July-4 August 1918 Gondreville-sur-Moselle Aerodrome 48°41′02″N05°57′56″E / 48.68389°N 5.96556°E / 48.68389; 5.96556 (Gondreville-sur-Moselle) Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) S of Gondreville, Meurthe et Moselle [2] American, then French (after Armistice) Air Service airfield [1] Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 6–22 September 1918 91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 May – 21 September 1918 [1] 24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 22 August – 22 September 1918 Goussancourt Aerodrome 49°09′57″N03°40′10″E / 49.16583°N 3.66944°E / 49.16583; 3.66944 (Goussancourt) Located on the SW side of Goussancourt, Aisne. French Air Service airfield [1] 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–9 September 1918 Les Grèves (ferme) Aerodrome 49°01′11″N03°29′25″E / 49.01972°N 3.49028°E / 49.01972; 3.49028 (Ferme des Greves) Located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) ESE of Château-Thierry, Picardy [2] French Air Service airfield [1] 88th Aero Squadron (Obs) 4 Aug – 4 Sept 1918; 9 – 12 Sept 1918 Julvécourt Aerodrome 49°03′49″N05°10′49″E / 49.06361°N 5.18028°E / 49.06361; 5.18028 (Julvecourt) Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Julvécourt, Lorraine French then American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5 November 1918 – 15 April 1919 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 5–21 November 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–21 November 1918

La Noblette Aerodrome 49°06′57″N04°23′27″E / 49.11583°N 4.39083°E / 49.11583; 4.39083 (La Noblette) Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) SE of Mourmelon le Grand, Marne French Air Service airfield. 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 February – 10 April 1918 Lay-Saint-Remy Aerodrome 48°41′09″N05°44′55″E / 48.68583°N 5.74861°E / 48.68583; 5.74861 (Lay-Saint-Remy) Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Lay-Saint-Remy, Lorraine American Air Service airfield. Headquarters 5th Pursuit Group 15 Nov 1918 – 15 April 1919 41st Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 15 Nov 1918 – 15 April 1919 138th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 5 Nov 1918 – 15 April 1919 638th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 14 Nov 1918 – 15 April 1919 Lemmes Aerodrome 49°04′11″N05°16′19″E / 49.06972°N 5.27194°E / 49.06972; 5.27194 (Lemmes) Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) N of Lemmes, Meuse French Air Service airfield. 186th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 7–24 November 1918 Lisle-en-Barrois Aerodrome 48°54′05″N05°08′11″E / 48.90139°N 5.13639°E / 48.90139; 5.13639 (Lisle-en-Barrois) Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) N of Lisle-en-Barrois, Meuse. [5] French then American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 20 September – 6 November 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 21 September – 5 November 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 5 November 1918 [1] Longuyon area 49°26′47″N05°36′03″E / 49.44639°N 5.60083°E / 49.44639; 5.60083 (Longuyon) Five former German wartime airfields used by American Aero Squadrons before entering Germany in December 1918 Noërs Aerodrome located 1 mile (1.6 km) SW of Longuyon. 94th Aero Squadron (observation) 20 Nov - 31 Dec 1918 Joppécourt Aerodrome 10 miles (16 km) SE of Longuyon. 166th Aero Squadron (observation) 21 Nov - 5 Dec 1918 Mercy le Bas located 8 miles (13 km) SE of Longuyon. 1st Aero Squadron (observation) 21 Nov - 6 Dec 1918 Mercy le Haut located 11 miles (18 km) SE of Longuyon 462nd Aero Squadron (Construct.) 20 Nov - 2 Dec 1918 IV Corps Observation Group HQ 21 Nov - 4 Dec 1918 12th Aero Squadron (observation) 21 Nov - 6 Dec 1918 Preutin Aerodrome located 10 miles (16 km) SE of Longuyon 9th Aero Squadron (comm. duties) 21 Nov - 5 Dec 1918 91st Aero Squadron (observation) 21 Nov - 2 Dec 1918 Luxeuil-les-Bains Aerodrome 47°47′26″N06°22′21″E / 47.79056°N 6.37250°E / 47.79056; 6.37250 (Luxeuil-les-Bains) Located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) SSW of Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté French (from 1916) and American Air Services airfield. V Corps Infantry Liaison School 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 1 July – 7 September 1918 Flight operated from Corcieux Aerodrome, 19–24 July 1918 Flight operated from Dogneville Aerodrome, 24 July – 26 August 1918 Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, formation 1 – 7 Sept 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation for V Corps [6] ) 8 Aug – 8 Sept 1918 Now: Luxeuil Air Base (BA 116) Manonville Aerodrome Located south of Thiaucourt, near Toul, it is only a possible airfield, where 85th Aero Squadron stayed 4–10 November 1918. [7] Maulan Aerodrome 48°38′23″N05°13′39″E / 48.63972°N 5.22750°E / 48.63972; 5.22750 (Maulan) Located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) SSW of Maulan, Lorraine. [8] (French) and American Air Services airfield. Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 25 Sept – 17 Jan 1919 11th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 24 Sept 1918 – 17 Jan 1919 20th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 23 Sept 1918 – 16 Jan 1919 96th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 23 Sept 1918 – 10 Jan 1919 166th Aero Squadron (Day Bomb.), 25 Sept – 22 Nov 1918 May-en-Multien Aerodrome 49°04′25″N03°01′39″E / 49.07361°N 3.02750°E / 49.07361; 3.02750 (May-en-Multien) Located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of May-en-Multien, Île-de-France, along the D 405, towards Meaux. French and American Air Services airfield. Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5–10 August 1918 [1] 1st Aero Squadron 5–10 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–10 August 1918 Ferme de Moras Aerodrome 48°56′32″N03°10′19″E / 48.94222°N 3.17194°E / 48.94222; 3.17194 (Ferme de Moras) Located 2 miles (3.2 km) E of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France French and (temporary) American Air Services airfield. Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 30 July - 5 August 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 5 August 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 3 August 1918 Ourches Aerodrome 48°39′47″N05°41′12″E / 48.66306°N 5.68667°E / 48.66306; 5.68667 (Ourches) Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Ourches-sur-Meuse, Lorraine American Air Services airfield. Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 1 April – 29 June 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 4 April – 29 June 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3 May – 13 June 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 28 May – 7 July 1918 Headquarters, IV Corps Observation Group, 1 July – 29 September 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 June – 20 September 1918 135th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 July – 30 September 1918 24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 6–22 August 1918 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 August – 29 September 1918 [1] Headquarters, 2d Day Bombardment Group, 1–11 November 1918 100th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 30 Oct – 11 Nov 1918 [1] 163d Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 1–11 Nov 1918 [1] Parois Aerodrome 49°08′18″N05°07′02″E / 49.13833°N 5.11722°E / 49.13833; 5.11722 (Parois) Undetermined location near Aubréville, Lorraine American Air Services airfield. 50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 28 Oct - 6 Nov 1918 Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 4–11 November 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–31 November 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–30 November 1918 Pretz-en-Argonne Aerodrome (Bregnet Field) 48°57′23″N05°08′49″E / 48.95639°N 5.14694°E / 48.95639; 5.14694 (Pretz-en-Argonne) Undetermined location near Pretz-en-Argonne, Lorraine French and American Air Services airfield. 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 14–20 September 1918 Rembercourt Aerodrome 48°55′08″N05°12′46″E / 48.91889°N 5.21278°E / 48.91889; 5.21278 (Rembercourt) Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) ENE of Rembercourt aux Pots, now part of Rembercourt-Sommaisne, Lorraine French then American Air Services airfield. Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 1 September – 11 November 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 3 September – 12 December 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 20 November 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 2 September – 11 December 1918 Flight Operated from: Verdun Aerodrome, 7 Nov 1918 – unknown 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 12 December 1918 Flight operated from: Verdun Aerodrome, 25 Sept 1918 – unknown 185th Aero Squadron, (Night Pursuit)) 7 October – 11 November 1918 Remicourt Aerodrome 48°57′03″N04°50′57″E / 48.95083°N 4.84917°E / 48.95083; 4.84917 (Remicourt) Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) W of Remicourt, Champagne-Ardenne French then American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, VII Corps Observation Group, 30 Aug – 23 Nov 1918 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 21 Sept – 5 Nov 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 September – 5 November 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 20 September – 3 November 1918 50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 September – 28 October 1918 Saints Aerodrome 48°46′04″N03°03′33″E / 48.76778°N 3.05917°E / 48.76778; 3.05917 (Saints) Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) N of Saints, Île-de-France French and American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 9 July – 1 September 1918 1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918 12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918 Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 29 June – 6 July 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 3 September 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 2 September 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918 Saizerais Aerodrome 48°47′46″N06°01′25″E / 48.79611°N 6.02361°E / 48.79611; 6.02361 (Saizerais) Located 1 mile (1.6 km) SW of Saizerais, Lorraine French then American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, VI Corps Observation Group, 25 Oct 1918 – 15 April 1919 8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 Oct – 21 Nov 1918 354th Aero Squadron (Observation), 25 October – 15 April 1919 Souilly Aerodrome 49°02′06″N05°17′45″E / 49.03500°N 5.29583°E / 49.03500; 5.29583 (Souilly) Located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) N of Souilly, Lorraine French and American Air Service airfield Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 7–20 Sept 1918 99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7–20 September 1918 104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8–20 September 1918 Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 20 Sept – 29 Oct 1918 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 12–14 Sept 1918; 20 Sept – 4 Nov 1918 90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 20 Sept – 29 Oct 1918 13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 16 December 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – 7 December 1919 22d Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – 29 January 1919 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – late January 1919 Det. of 24th Aero Squadron (Obs), 9–18 Oct 1918, 27 Oct – 6 Nov 1918 Det. of 91st Aero Squadron (Obs), 16 Oct 1918 – Nov 1918 186th Aero Squadron (Observation), 29 Oct 1918 – 15 April 1919 Touquin Aerodrome 48°43′43″N02°59′17″E / 48.72861°N 2.98806°E / 48.72861; 2.98806 (Touquin) Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) WSW of Touquin, Île-de-France French and American Air Service airfield. Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 28 June – 9 July 1918 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 30 June – 9 July 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918 Vaucouleurs Aerodrome 48°37′47″N05°38′57″E / 48.62972°N 5.64917°E / 48.62972; 5.64917 (Vaucouleurs) Two airfields (French and American Air Services): first built 2.1 miles (3.4 km) NNW of Vaucouleurs, Lorraine, then second field 0.5 miles (0.80 km) west of the city, on the "Plateau de Bussy". Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 30 July – 20 September 1918 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 16 July –20 September 1918 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 2 August 1918 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 24 September 1918 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 August –20 September 1918 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 26 July – 24 September 1918 [1] 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 May – 30 June 1918 [1] Vavincourt Aerodrome 48°48′56″N05°12′44″E / 48.81556°N 5.21222°E / 48.81556; 5.21222 (Vavincourt) Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) SSE of Vavincourt, Lorraine American Air Service airfield and depot Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 22 September – 11 November 1918 24th Aero Squadron (Obs) 22 September 1918 – 15 April 1919 91st Aero Squadron (Obs) 21 September 1918 – 21 November 1918 [1] Det. operated from Souilly, 9–18 Oct 1918, 27 Oct-6 Nov 1918 9th Aero Squadron (Night Observation) 21 Sept – 21 Nov 1918 Verdun area 49°09′33″N05°24′47″E / 49.15917°N 5.41306°E / 49.15917; 5.41306 (Verdun) Allied airfields at undetermined locations around Verdun, Lorraine Detachment of 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 25 Sep – 12 Dec 1918 Detachment of 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 -11 Nov 1918 Villeneuve-les-Vertus Aerodrome 48°56′14″N04°03′30″E / 48.93722°N 4.05833°E / 48.93722; 4.05833 (Villeneuve-les-Vertus) Located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) NE of Vertus, Champagne-Ardenne French Air Service airfield 1st Pursuit Organization and Training Center January 1918 – 5 May 1918 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 5 March – 1 April 1918 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 18 February – 1 April 1918

Support aerodromes and depots

Colombey-les-Belles Aerodrome Headquarters, Commanding General, Services of Supply 1st Air Depot. : Two airfields: Main depot, with flying ground in its northern part 48°31′51″N05°53′02″E / 48.53083°N 5.88389°E / 48.53083; 5.88389 (Colombey-les-Belles Depot) , and a new airfield built in April 1918 east of Colombey: 48°31′28″N05°54′28″E / 48.52444°N 5.90778°E / 48.52444; 5.90778 (Colombey-les-Belles Airfield) Initial supply and equipment depot for new units. Army personnel/medical center. In charge of demobilizing American Air Service units after Armistice. Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Colombey-les-Belles, Lorraine [2] Advance Air Depots at Behonne Aerodrome, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Bar-le-Duc, and at Vavincourt Aerodrome, a further 2 miles (3.2 km) in the same direction. Courban Aerodrome and Depot 47°54′30″N04°44′10″E / 47.90833°N 4.73611°E / 47.90833; 4.73611 (Courban Depot) , 3rd Aircraft Depot/3rd Aeroplane supply Depot (?) from May 1918 to March 1918, replaced by a French "Depot de Matérial Aéronautique No 3", in charge of demobilizing French units. The depot was built on both sides of the railway station of Courban, with surprisingly traces still visible today. Grand Aerodrome Located 6.0 miles (9.7 km) west of Neufchâteau, Vosges. Airfield: 48°22′18″N05°27′48″E / 48.37167°N 5.46333°E / 48.37167; 5.46333 (Grand Airfield) Airfield built during summer 1918; it did not see any operational use. 258th Aero Squadron arrived on 18 November 1918, followed in early 1919 by a few other squadrons bound for demobilization at Colombey-les-Belles. All were gone by mid April, then the airfield was turned back to agriculture. Latrecey Depot 47°58′50″N04°52′42″E / 47.98056°N 4.87833°E / 47.98056; 4.87833 (Latrecey) 2d Air Depot, located 6.0 miles (9.7 km) south of the village, along the railway line. Nearing completion by the day of the Armistice, it was never fully operational.

Orly Aerodrome and Depot, Paris 48°43′39″N02°22′07″E / 48.72750°N 2.36861°E / 48.72750; 2.36861 (Orly) Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1 Now: Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) Ravennefontaines Depot 48°02′08″N005°36′16″E / 48.03556°N 5.60444°E / 48.03556; 5.60444 (Ravennefontaines) 6th Air Depot, operational late October 1918 - June 1919. Romorantin Aerodrome 47°21′31″N01°44′50″E / 47.35861°N 1.74722°E / 47.35861; 1.74722 (Romorantin) Air Service Production Center No. 2. Receiving point for all Liberty DH-4 planes shipped from the United States as well as a salvage area for wrecked airplanes. [2] Located near Romorantin-Lanthenay, Centre St. Maixent Replacement Barracks 46°24′52″N00°12′38″W / 46.41444°N 0.21056°W / 46.41444; -0.21056 (St. Maixent) Air Service Replacement Concentration Center Primary reception and classification center for new units assigned to AEF. Located in Saint-Maixent-l'École, Poitou-Charentes Vinets Aerodrome 48°31′41″N004°13′32″E / 48.52806°N 4.22556°E / 48.52806; 4.22556 (Vinets-sur-Aube) 5th Air Depot Undetermined location near Vinets, Champagne-Ardenne Châtenay sur Seine 48°25′08″N003°05′43″E / 48.41889°N 3.09528°E / 48.41889; 3.09528 (Chatenay-sur-Seine) Air Service Spare Depot

Training schools

Aviation Instruction Centers

1st Aviation Instructional Center (1st AIC) Reuilly Barracks, Paris (Headquarters) Mechanics Training School, with troops dispatched to the following factories: Hispano-Suiza Factory Renault Factory Breguet Factory Brasier Factory Nieuport Factory Bleriot Factory 2d Aviation Instructional Center (2d AIC) Tours Aerodrome 47°25′50″N00°43′08″E / 47.43056°N 0.71889°E / 47.43056; 0.71889 (2d AIC) French pilot school from October 1915, control transferred to American Air Service on 1 November 1917. Preliminary observation, radio, photography and gunnery school Located near: Tours, Centre [1] Now: Tours Val de Loire Airport 3d Aviation Instruction Center (3d AIC) Issoudun Aerodrome 46°57′16″N01°59′18″E / 46.95444°N 1.98833°E / 46.95444; 1.98833 (3d AIC) Advanced pursuit and observation school Located near: Issoudun, Centre [2] 4th Aviation Instruction Center (4th AIC) Avord Aerodrome [2] 47°03′14″N02°37′59″E / 47.05389°N 2.63306°E / 47.05389; 2.63306 (4th AIC) Largest French Air Service flying school for advance training and night flying; effective operation of 4th AIC to be confirmed... Location: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) NW of Avord, Centre Now: Avord Air Base (BA 102) [1]

5th Aviation Instruction Center (5th AIC) Bron Aerodrome (Rhone), near Lyons, France 45°43′46″N04°56′20″E / 45.72944°N 4.93889°E / 45.72944; 4.93889 (5th AIC) Mechanics training school (closed late 1917)* 6th Aviation Instruction Center (6th AIC) Numerous advance flying schools organized by French Air Service from 1915 on several airfields (one field was former Wright brothers' airfield of 1909), near Pau (Pyrenees Atlantiques), France. Effective operation of 6th AIC to be confirmed... 7th Aviation Instruction Center (7th AIC) Aulnat Aerodrome, [2] east of Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne. 45°47′08″N03°09′45″E / 45.78556°N 3.16250°E / 45.78556; 3.16250 (7th AIC) Bombardment training school with French Air Service bombardment school. Now: Clermont-Ferrand Airport 8th Aviation Instruction Center (8th AIC) Foggia Aerodrome 41°26′17″N15°32′38″E / 41.43806°N 15.54389°E / 41.43806; 15.54389 (8th AIC) Foggia, Italy

* The 5th Aviation Instruction Center at Bron (now Lyon–Bron Airport) was located at the French Air Service Mechanics School. The first Americans were sent to the school in mid-September, 1917. The school was overcrowded and was lacking in proper quarters and mess facilities for the Americans. Also, a lack of English-speaking instructors led to the decision to withdraw the Americans from the school. Students were sent to the 3d AIC at Issodun, with the last departing on 4 December 1917. ^[9]

Artillery Aerial Observation Schools 1st Artillery Aerial Observation School (1st AAOS) 47°56′43″N002°09′00″W / 47.94528°N 2.15000°W / 47.94528; -2.15000 (1st AAOS) Coetquidan training range near Guer, in Brittany, France 2d Artillery Aerial Observation School (2d AAOS) 44°49′42″N000°42′56″W / 44.82833°N 0.71556°W / 44.82833; -0.71556 (1st AAOS) Souge training range, near Bordeaux, France Now: Former Army training grounds (airfield closed), northwest of Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport 3d Artillery Aerial Observation School (3d AAOS) Mailly-le-Camp (Mailly training range), Aube. 48°39′21″N004°13′46″E / 48.65583°N 4.22944°E / 48.65583; 4.22944 (3d AAOS) Aircraft of attached 99th Aero Squadron (11 March to 31 May 1918) were stationed at Haussimont Aerodrome 48°44′05″N04°09′10″E / 48.73472°N 4.15278°E / 48.73472; 4.15278 (Haussimont) , 1 km south of Haussimont, Marne. 4th Artillery Aerial Observation School (4th AAOS) 47°45′43″N02°46′56″W / 47.76194°N 2.78222°W / 47.76194; -2.78222 (4th AAOS) Locmaria-Grand-Champ Aerodrome, near the Meucon training range, north of Vannes, in Brittany, France 5th Artillery Aerial Observation School (5th AAOS) 47°09′21″N06°17′38″W / 47.15583°N 6.29389°W / 47.15583; -6.29389 (5th AAOS) Le Valdahon training range, 20 km east of Besançon, France Artillery Officers School (Aviation Detachment) 47°11′27″N00°03′11″W / 47.19083°N 0.05306°W / 47.19083; -0.05306 (Artillery Officers School) Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg Aerodrome, on the Saumur Artillery School training grounds, south of Saumur, France Observation School for Artillery Officers

Miscellaneous AEF Schools Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center 44°32′01″N01°07′34″W / 44.53361°N 1.12611°W / 44.53361; -1.12611 (Cazaux Aerodrome) French aerial and anti-aircraft gunnery school created in 1915 on Cazaux Aerodrome, France; detachment of the American 2nd Aviation Instruction Center (Tours). Now: Cazaux Air Base (BA 120) Saint-Jean-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School 46°45′53″N02°02′09″W / 46.76472°N 2.03583°W / 46.76472; -2.03583 (St Jean de Monts Aerodrome) Saint-Jean-de-Monts Aerodrome, France I Corps Aeronautical School** Gondrecourt-le-Château, France II Corps Aeronautical School 47°50′54″N04°34′50″E / 47.84833°N 4.58056°E / 47.84833; 4.58056 (Chatillon-Sur-Seine Aerodrome) Chatillon-Sur-Seine Aerodrome, France

** The I Corps Aeronautical School was a temporary school, located at the French Air Service machine-gun training school at Gondrecourt-le-Château. About 225 men were sent to the school during March and April, 1918. ^[9]

British sector

Allonville Aerodrome 49°56′47″N02°22′24″E / 49.94639°N 2.37333°E / 49.94639; 2.37333 (Allonville) Approximate location:0.5 miles (0.80 km) NE of Allonville, Picardy [2] 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit),11–18 August 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Auxi-le-Château Aerodrome 50°13′54″N02°06′46″E / 50.23167°N 2.11278°E / 50.23167; 2.11278 (Auxi-le-Château) Undetermined location near Auxi-le-Château, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 August – 20 September 1918 Detachment operated from Beugnatre Aerodrome, 10–20 September 1918 Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC [1] Baizieux Aerodrome 49°27′29″N03°16′45″E / 49.45806°N 3.27917°E / 49.45806; 3.27917 (Remaisnil) Undetermined location near Baizieux, Picardy 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September –15 October 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Bray-Dunes Aerodrome 51°04′15″N02°31′29″E / 51.07083°N 2.52472°E / 51.07083; 2.52472 (Bray-Dunes) Undetermined location near Bray-Dunes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2–5 May 1918 Cappelle Aerodrome 50°59′56″N02°21′50″E / 50.99889°N 2.36389°E / 50.99889; 2.36389 (Cappelle) Undetermined location near Cappelle-la-Grande, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 30 June – 22 July 1918 Squadron attached to British 3d Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Petite Synthe Aerodrome 51°01′15″N02°20′39″E / 51.02083°N 2.34417°E / 51.02083; 2.34417 (Petite Synthe) Undetermined location near Petite-Synthe, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 June – 19 August 1918 Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC

Remaisnil Aerodrome 50°12′02″N02°14′45″E / 50.20056°N 2.24583°E / 50.20056; 2.24583 (Remaisnil) Undetermined location near Remaisnil, Picardy 148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 August – 20 September 1918 Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1] Beugnâtre Aerodrome 50°07′49″N02°52′35″E / 50.13028°N 2.87639°E / 50.13028; 2.87639 (Beugnâtre) Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Beugnâtre, Nord-Pas-de-Calais [2] Detachment of 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10–20 September 1918 Crochte Aerodrome 50°56′04″N02°23′14″E / 50.93444°N 2.38722°E / 50.93444; 2.38722 (Crochte) Undetermined location near Crochte, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 8 June – 4 July 1918 Guinness Aerodrome 50°52′06″N01°52′13″E / 50.86833°N 1.87028°E / 50.86833; 1.87028 (Guines) Undetermined location near Guînes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 24–26 June 1918 Saint-Omer Aerodrome 50°45′00″N02°15′07″E / 50.75000°N 2.25194°E / 50.75000; 2.25194 (Saint-Omer) Undetermined location near Saint-Omer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24–27 June 1918 Leffrinckoucke Aerodrome 51°03′03″N02°26′18″E / 51.05083°N 2.43833°E / 51.05083; 2.43833 (Leffrinckoucke) Undetermined location near Leffrinckoucke, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 5 May – 18 June 1918 Sonchamp Aerodrome 48°34′34″N01°52′35″E / 48.57611°N 1.87639°E / 48.57611; 1.87639 (Sonchamp) Undetermined location near Sonchamp, Île-de-France 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 4 November 1918

^{[2] [10] [11]}

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

1. "Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C."
2. Reference for Geographic coordinates of Aerodromes
3. "United States Air Service – USAS". usaww1.com.
4. With Second Army Air Service from 11 December ?
5. An airfield was briefly used in 1915 by the French Air Service at the "ferme de Vaudoncourt" in the same area
6. Before the V Corps Observation Group was formerly created
7. As there is no known Construction Squadron working there, it could be only a temporary stop of the ground part of the squadron on its way from Chaumont-Hill 402 to Croix-de-Metz Aerodrome, in the very last days of the war...
8. An airfield was first set up closer to Maulan in September 1914 by the French Aeronautique Militaire at "Le Petit Maulan", but soon to be abandoned after it was wrecked by a storm; a French squadron spent some time at "Maulan" in 1917 and 1918, but it is today difficult to know whether this was at the former site or already at the airfield later used by the American Air Service
9. US National Archives, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, Series J Volume 10 Histories of the 5th (Bron), and 6th (Pau) Aviation Instruction Centers, Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center, St. John-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School, 1st-5th Aerial Observation Schools, I and II Corps Aeronautical Schools, and Detachments at the Artillery Candidates School, and French, English, and Italian Aviation Schools via http://www.fold3.com
10. Maurer, Maurer (1978), The US Air Service In World War I, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF
11. Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN   0-405-12194-6. LCCN   70605402. OCLC   72556.