Rapid Fleet Air Arm expansion created a shortage of experienced squadron commanders and flight leaders, contributing to the time needed to return repaired carriers to service. The preferred training cycle would send experienced pilots ashore as instructors before using them to form the core of new squadrons. Wartime pressure instead encouraged dividing an existing squadron's experienced personnel between two units. A deputy commander, some flight leaders, and roughly half the experienced pilots formed the new squadron, while new pilots filled both. This adaptation increased the number of squadrons while spreading their experienced personnel more thinly.
Notable Point · 54:13-55:35
Rapid Fleet Air Arm expansion diluted squadron experience
New Fleet Air Arm squadrons needed experienced leaders as well as aircraft, creating a personnel constraint during the carriers' return to service.