A.A.F.O.T.S.?

Anyone have any idea what the A.A.F.O.T.S. was? Whatever it was, it was located in Miami, and obviously had something to do with the air force, because it's part of a return address on an envelope that includes a small image of three aircraft flying in formation, and the words, 'Keep 'Em Flying.' You can see the envelope at <http://www.ingraham.ca/bob/aafotscvrcolorclip30.jpg>

Could it have been the 'Army Air Force Observer Training School'? Someone suggested 'Army Air Force Officer Training School,' by I don't think those were called 'Officer *Candidate' Schools.'

Any help would be appreciated.

Bob Ingraham.

: force, because it's part of a return address on an envelope that : includes a small image of three aircraft flying in formation, and the : words, 'Keep 'Em Flying.' You can see the envelope at : <http://www.ingraham.ca/bob/aafotscvrcolorclip30.jpg>

: Could it have been the 'Army Air Force Observer Training School'? : Someone suggested 'Army Air Force Officer Training School,' by I don't : think those were called 'Officer *Candidate' Schools.'

Apparently it was an 'Officer Candidate School' at Miami Beach that was opened in 1942. The AF did not open an 'Officer Training School' until after the war. However, I would venture a guess that officer candidates going to OCS might have been assigned to an 'Officer Training Squadron' while undergoing training.

A.A.F.O.T.S. is the Army Air Forces Officer Training School. The OTS was established in Miami, Florida hotels in April 1942 alongside the OCS (Army Air Forces Officer Candidate School).

OTS was a training and indoctrination school for professionals and technicians who had already received direct officer's commissions, i.e. direct commissions.

OCS was a training and indoctrination school for former Aviation Cadets, active duty enlisted men, and others who were candidates for a future officer's commission upon graduation from OCS.

The OTS and OCS schools were consolidated under the same administration in June 1942, but they maintained their separate training curriculum and training methods. OTS trainees were treated as commissioned officers attending a college, and OCS trainees were treated like cadets at the West Point Military Academy with student ranks and hazing.

Just guessing, Army Air Force Operational Training School. Do you know anything about this Lt. McKenzie? He would appear to be a Canadian in the USAAF, which would be a switch.

[...] [...]

No, that is wrong. The Officer's Training School (OTS) was established along with the Officer's Candidate School in the Miami Hotels at the same time in April 1942. OTS was for professionals and technicians who were already officers who had received direct commissions as officers of any rank in the Army Air Forces. OCS was for Air Cadets, active duty enlisted personnel, and others who were candidates for receiving commissions as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from OCS. The OTS program was consolidated within the OCS administration in June 1942, but it remained a separate curriculum and environment as originally established. The modern U.S. Air Force Officer's Training School (OTS) was established in 1960.

OCS (Army Officer Candidate School) existed in numerous locales other than Miami for the purpose of providing the Army with junior officers for all of its branches of service in addition to those needed by the Army Air Corps. AIR, regardless of which branch got them, they were called 'Ninety Day Wonders'. (^-^)))

George Z.

Thanks to those who have responded to my query, both to the newsgroup and with personal e-mails. It seems like 'Officer Training School' is the best candidate. I wonder whether Lt. McKenzie might have been seconded to the U.S.A.A.F. for training. I don't know whether that was done; it certainly is true that many Americans volunteered for the R.C.A.F. before the U.S. entered the war.