OK. That is probably the best way and it's also the way I start any campaign.
If you want to play around w/ the OOB just highlight the flag/s at the top for what country or countries you want to view.
Then click on Air (first box on left side under country flags) and then you should get a drop down menu. Select Air Forces and you will get another drop down menu showing all the air fields controlled by the countries you selected. Any air base that has a + next to it has a squadron/s stationed there.
You can look a those squadrons by clicking on the + sign next to the air field. Right click on any squadron and you will get a pop up box with options for that squadron (join, set by HQ, etc.).
Also if you right click any air base you will get a pop up menu for status, add package, etc.
The rest is up to you...
Hope this was helpful and Merry X-mas!