Major Leo H. Vanderhoven was the Department's director, the assistant director was Capt. Lawrence R. Lyman. The Department of Armament Training began in 1921 at Chanute Field, Illinois, and was transferred to Lowry Field, Colorado in February, 1938. At one time Buckley Field was a sub-station for Armament Training, and at that time, the peak student load was approximately 15,000. Thousands of personnel have been trained in the various phases of Armament Training presented at Lowry Field. The Armament Department is divided into 6 Branches, of which 14 different courses are taught. Training included the loading and dropping of bombs while also graduating trained Master, Advanced, and Airplane Armorers. The first ten armament students graduated on March 19, 1938. The courses in the Department of Armament by Branches are as follows: a. AIRPLANE ARMAMENT OFFICERS' BRANCH The Airplane Armament Officers' Course in which officer personnel are trained to supervise air and ground crew units in all maintenance phases of aircraft armament and chemical materials and equipment. b. AIRPLANE ARMORERS BRANCH The Airplane Armorers Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform 1st and 2nd echelon of maintenance on all armament except bomb sights and remote control turret systems and related sights. c. POV/ER TURRET AND GUN SIGHT BRANCH (1) Power Turret and Gun sights Mechanic Course in which enlisted personnel arc taught to perform 1st and 2nd echelon maintenance on locally controlled power turrets and related sights and equipment. (2) Power Turret and Gun Sight Repairman Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform all echelons (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) of maintenance on locally controlled power turrets, sights, and related equipment. d. BOMB SIGHT MAINTENANCE BRANCH (1) Bomb Sight Mechanic Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to porform 1st and 2nd echelon maintenance on bomb sights and related automatic pilots. (2) Bomb sight and Automatic Pilot Repairman Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform all echelons (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) of maintenance on bomb sights and automatic pilots. e. REMOTE CONTROL TURRET BRANCH (1) Remote Control Turret Mechanic Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform 1st and 2nd echelon maintenance on aircraft remote control turret systems. (2) Remote Control Turret Repairman Course in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform all echelons (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) of maintenance on aircraft remote control turret systems. f. AVIATION ORDNANCE BRANCH (1) Armory Maintenance and Repair Officer Course in which officer personnel are trained in the maintenance, repair and inspection of small arms and AAF ordnance material. (2) Aviation Ordnance Officer in which officer personnel are trained to perform the duties of Ordnance Officers assigned to tactical squadrons and groups, service companies and groups, and air base units within the Air Forces. (3) Ammunition Supply Officer in which Officer personnel are trained in the technical aspects of Ammunition and Ammunition Supply as is required of an Ammunition Supply Officer. (4) Weapons Repairman, Small Arms in which enlisted personnel are trained to perform all echelons (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) of maintenance on all types of automatic hand and shoulder weapons, applicable small arms, and ground and anti-aircraft mounts used by the Air Forces. (5) Ammunition Supply Technician in which enlisted personnel are taught to inspect, grade, renovate, and destroy ammunition, as well as procedures of Ammunition Supply and how to estimate and operate ammunition supply points. (6) Ammunition Renovator in which enlisted personnel are trained to pack and repack, inspect and renovate Air Force ammunition.

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