2d Pursuit Group | |
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Staff of the 2d Pursuit Group, Belrain Aerodrome, France
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Active | 1918–1919 |
Country | United States |
Branch | Air Service, United States Army |
Type | Group |
Role | Command of pursuit squadrons |
Part of | American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) |
Engagements |
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The 2d Pursuit Group was an Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I as part of the Air Service, First United States Army. It was demobilized in France on 10 April 1919. There is no modern United States Air Force unit that shares its lineage and history.
The group was organized on 29 June 1918 at Gengault Aerodrome, Toul, France. The 22d Aero Squadron was initially the only unit assigned. The 2d Pursuit Group immediately began operations against the enemy. The 139th Aero Squadron was assigned to the group the next day, and by 15 August the 13th and 49th Aero Squadrons filled out the unit's complement of squadrons. All the group's squadrons were equipped with French SPAD S.XIIIs. In theory the group totaled 72 aircraft and an equal number of pilots. The reality was that it was rare for the number of pilots to equal the number of aircraft or for the aircraft to be fully standardized across the entire group.