Columbus in Luna County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
First Aero Squadron Airfield
Photographed By Craig Doda, December 26, 2018
1. First Aero Squadron Airfield Marker
The 1st Aero Squadron is the U.S. military's oldest aviation unit, created on March 5, 1913. In 1916 the squadron, which comprised 8 airplanes, 11 pilots, and 34 enlisted men, became the first U.S. Army air combat unit. As a response to Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho” Villa's attack on Columbus, New Mexico, General John J. Pershing ordered the squadron to fly reconnaissance sorties from Columbus airfield on March 15, 1916.
Continued
The squadron, flying Curtiss JN-3, known as Jennys, flew 540 sorties from March 1916 to January 1917. Jennys were used for aerial reconnaissance and photography and for delivering mail and official dispatch from airfields in Columbus and Casas Grandes, Mexico. Presently designated as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, the squadron is the oldest continuously active unit in the U.S. Air Force. Extant buildings dating from Villa's raid and Pershing's military response are located in nearby Pancho Villa State Park and the Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong National Historic Landmark district.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1913.
Location. 31° 49.733′ N, 107° 38.3′ W. Marker is in Columbus, New Mexico, in Luna County. Marker is on Abandoned
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of Citizens Killed / In Memory of Thirteenth Cavalry (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (about 600 feet away); United States Custom House (about 800 feet away); Pancho Villa State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Last Hostile Action by Foreign Troops (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Pancho Villa State Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pancho Villa’s Raid (approx. 0.3 miles away); Columbus (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Regarding First Aero Squadron Airfield. The text for the reverse of the marker is from news reports of the marker's placement, May 2019.
Photographed By Craig Doda, December 26, 2018
2. First Aero Squadron Airfield Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A closeup photo of the marker's reverse. • Can you help?
