Page 2 - Nov2024Communicator

Communications history

15 November 1938
Following directions from the War Department,
Headquarters Army Air Corps established the Army
Nov 11 Airways Communications System (AACS). Its
primary mission was to provide air-ground and
ground-air communications between AACS
World War I officially ended when the Treaty aeronautical stations in the continental US to
of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. promote safety and facilitate flying operations. The
However, the fighting ended about seven secondary mission was to provide point-to-point
months before that when the Allies and communications between
Germany put into effect an armistice on the ground radio stations in the continental US. These
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. stations transmitted aircraft movement reports,
For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, was largely weather reports, and messages relating to Army
considered the end of “the war to end all wars” airways traffic between ground stations. Air traffic
and dubbed Armistice Day. In 1926, Congress control was added as an AACS mission in 1939. Maj
officially recognized it as the end of the war, and Wallace G. Smith became the first Control Officer of
in 1938, it became an official holiday, primarily the newly activated AACS. Major Smith selected Capt
a day set aside to honor veterans of World War Russell A. Wilson, Lt Dudley D. Hale, and Lt Lloyd
I. But then World War II and the Korean War Watnee as his Regional Communications Control
happened, so on June 1, 1954, at the urging of Officers with an authorization for 300 enlisted men at
veterans service organizations, Congress 33 stations. The system was placed under the
amended the commemoration again by changing direction and control of the Headquarters Army Air
the word “armistice” to “veterans” so the day Corps Directorate of Communications, within the
would honor American veterans of all wars.
Training and Operations Division.

Contacts:
1977 – 2008 New Members/Renewals: To make a donation or pay for
AACS Alumni Association membership by personal check, make checks payable to
2009 - 2020 AFCATCA and mail to:
AF Communicators & Air Traffic
Controllers Association AFCATCA Treasurer:
2020 - Sarah Cleveland
AF Cyberspace & Air Traffic 6305 Augusta Blvd
Control Association Seminole FL 33777
sarah.u.cleveland@gmail.com

Membership:
(Including Missed Roll Call)
Leslie McCormick
3432 E Galloway St
Springfield MO 65804-4752
leslie.mccormick@ranchmail.net
417-365-1837

Editor:
www.afcatca.org Lori Manske
th
665 N 11 St
Breese IL 62230
Our Facebook site is at manske5@charter.net
https://www.facebook.com/ 618-210-9573
groups/1949469148519504/
View and sign up! PX/BX Sales:
Air Force Cyberspace & Bill Cassatt
Air Traffic Control
Association (AFCATCA) 1200 Homelife Plaza Apt D-3
Rolla MO 65401
clarkwcassatt@gmail.com

2 November 2024 Communicator