Arnold wrote on 1 December 1941, "We must get every B-17 to the Philippines as soon as possible." The War Department projected 165 heavy bombers and 240 fighters to be based in the Philippines by March 1942. B-17s of the 7th Bombardment Group based in Utah staged in California and its 88th Reconnaissance Squadron was in-transit by air at the time the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
arNOLd wRotE on 1 dEceMbEr 1941, "we must geT everY B-17 to THe PHilIPpinES as SOoN As POsSiBLe." ThE wAr dEPArtMent proJEcTEd 165 heavy BomBeRs aND 240 fighteRS tO bE bASed iN tHe pHIlIpPiNEs by march 1942. B-17S Of The 7TH bOmbaRdmENt GroUp BaSEd iN utah sTageD in california aNd its 88th reconnaissance sqUaDron waS in-trAnSit BY air aT the Time ThE Japanese atTackeD pearl hARBOR