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.
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.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 31° 49.733′ N, 107° 38.3′ W. Marker is in Columbus, New Mexico, in Luna County. It is on Abandoned Railroad (Route 9), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus NM 88029, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Gadsden Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Commercial Hotel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of Citizens Killed / In Memory of Thirteenth Cavalry (about 600 feet away); El Paso & Southwestern Railroad (about 600 feet away); Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (about 600 feet away); Susan Parks (about 600 feet away); Camp at Columbus (about 600 feet away); William Christopher Hoover (about 600 feet away); Pershing's Review Stand
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 26, 2018
2. First Aero Squadron Airfield Marker
Regarding First Aero Squadron Airfield. The text for the reverse of the marker is from news reports of the marker's placement, May 2019.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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. • Devry Becker Jones 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?
