AirSols

AirSols was an abbreviation of Commander, Aircraft, Solomons, the Allied air units in the Solomon Islands campaign of World War II, from April 1943 to June 1944. "Commander, Aircraft, Solomons (ComAirSols), directed the combat operations of all land-based air in the Solomons during" Operation Cartwheel.

"Rear Admiral Charles P. Mason was the first officer to hold the title ComAirSols; he assumed command on 15 February 1943 at Guadalcanal. Actually, Mason took over a going concern, as he relieved Brigadier General Francis P. Mulcahy, who had controlled all aircraft stationed at the island during the final phase of its defense. Mulcahy, who became Mason's chief of staff, was also Commanding General, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The fact that a general headed the staff of an admiral is perhaps the best indication of the multiservice nature of AirSols operations. Since Mason brought only a few officers with him to help run the new command with its enlarged scope of activity, he kept Mulcahy's veteran staff. Experience, not rank, seniority, or service, determined the assignments. Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch, as Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific (ComAirSoPac), was Admiral Mason's immediate superior."

AirSols units came from the United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). AirSols superseded and absorbed the Cactus Air Force of 1942–43. RNZAF units that formed part of the command included at times No. 14 Squadron RNZAF and No. 15 Squadron RNZAF.

The Allied fliers fought the Japanese 11th Air Fleet and 4th Air Army, based at Rabaul, New Britain.

On 15 June 1944, AirSols was replaced by AirNorSols (Air North Solomons), which would have 40 squadrons (including 23 USMC squadrons). That same day, responsibility for Allied units west of 159° East Longitude and south of the Equator passed from POA to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). However, seven USAAF squadrons in AirNorSols were transferred, as part of the Thirteenth Air Force, to the U.S. Far East Air Forces (SWPA) and eight USN and RNZAF squadrons were moved to garrison duty in South Pacific.

Commanders

 * Rear Admiral Charles P Mason
 * RAdm. Marc A. Mitscher (USN): 1 April 1943.
 * Major General Nathan Twining

A full list of commanders can be seen at James A. Winnefeld, Joint Air Operations: Pursuit of Unity in Command and Control, 1942-1991, 34, drawing on Sherrod, 1952.

Web

 * Account of U.S. Marine involvement in air war over Solomon Islands and Rabaul.
 * Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945 (RAAF)
 * The Pacific
 * Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945 (RAAF)
 * The Pacific
 * Air War Against Japan, 1943–1945 (RAAF)
 * The Pacific