AirSols

AirSols was a combined, joint command of 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 forces in the Solomons during the major Allied offensive of 1943–44, Operation Cartwheel.[1] Discussing the initial command structure of AirSols, Marine Corps historians Henry I. Shaw and Douglas T. Kane, wrote: 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.
MarinesAir ForceSouth Pacific AreaAlliedair unitsSolomon Islands campaignWorld War IIPacific Ocean AreasCactus Air ForceUnited States NavyUnited States Marine CorpsRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceUnited States Army Air Forces11th Air FleetFourth Air ArmyRabaulNew BritainOperation CartwheelCharles P. MasonFrancis P. Mulcahy2nd Marine Aircraft WingAubrey W. FitchSouth PacificSouth West Pacific AreaU.S. Far East Air ForcesMarine Aircraft Group 23VMF-214VMF-22318th Fighter Group347th Fighter Group4th Reconnaissance Group5th Bombardment Group42nd Bombardment Group307th Bombardment Group419th Night Fighter SquadronNo. 1 (Islands) GroupNo. 14 Squadron RNZAFNo. 15 Squadron RNZAFMarc A. MitscherNathan TwiningRalph J. MitchellHubert R. HarmonField HarrisJames T. MooreFifth Air ForceRAAF CommandMorison, Samuel EliotHistory of United States Naval Operations in World War IIOffice of the Chief of Military History