IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 644 

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the First Aero Squadron’s participation 

as the first aviation unit to take part in military operations, and the 

group’s contribution to the Nation’s airpower heritage. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 15, 2016 

Mr. PEARCE (for himself, Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico, 

Mr. JONES, Mr. ASHFORD, and Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 

Services 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the First Aero Squadron’s participation as the first aviation unit to take part 

in military operations, and the group’s contribution to 

the Nation’s airpower heritage. 

Whereas, on March 5, 1913, the United States formed the 

First Aero Squadron; 

Whereas the pilots who made up this unit did not have formal flight training classes, instead were typically selftaught or provided ground instructions followed by individual practice; 

Whereas in one instance a pilot received flight training and 

instruction through mail correspondence with Orville 

Wright; 


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•HRES 644 IH 

Whereas, on March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa raided Columbus, 

New Mexico, looting the town and killing 18 people in the 

United States; 

Whereas President Woodrow Wilson immediately directed 

General John J. Pershing to pursue and disperse Pancho 

Villa in response to the raid on Columbus, New Mexico; 

Whereas, on March 10, 1916, Secretary of War Newton 

Baker ordered the use of the First Aero Squadron in the 

pursuit of Pancho Villa; 

Whereas, on March 15, 1916, the First Aero Squadron, 

under the command of Captain Benjamin Foulois, arrived in Columbus, New Mexico; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron arrived with 8 Curtiss JN– 

3s, known as ‘‘Jenny’’ series airplanes; 

Whereas the Jenny was considered one of the most advanced 

aircraft built to date, yet the airplane was still an extremely new technology that experienced significant 

maintenance issues in flight and on the ground; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron was made up of 10 pilots, 

Capt. Benjamin Foulois, Capt. Townsend Dodd, Lt. Joseph Carberry, Lt. Thomas Bowen, Lt. Carleton Chapman, Lt. Herbert Dargue, Lt. Edgar Gorrell, Lt. Walter 

Kilner, Lt. Ira Rader, and Lt. Robert Willis; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron upon arrival in Columbus, 

New Mexico, consisted of 82 support soldiers, 8 JN–3 

airplanes, 10 four-wheel drive motor trucks, and 6 motorcycles; 

Whereas Columbus, New Mexico, as a result of the First 

Aero Squadron’s deployment has come to be known as 

‘‘The Cradle of American Airpower’’; 


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•HRES 644 IH 

Whereas, on March 19, 1916, General Pershing called the 

First Aero Squadron to the front lines in the fight 

against Pancho Villa’s troops; 

Whereas, on March 20, 1916, the First Aero Squadron flew 

the first combat flights in United States military history; 

Whereas from March 20, 1916, to April 20, 1916, Captain 

Foulois and his Squadron flew hundreds of hours in support of General Pershing’s operation against Pancho 

Villa; 

Whereas, on April 20, 1916, 4 of the JN–3s had crashed, 2 

had been scrapped for replacement parts, and the remaining 2 were inoperable due to mechanical issues, as 

a result General Pershing ordered the First Aero Squadron back to Columbus, New Mexico; 

Whereas, on May 1, 1916, replacement airplanes, Curtiss R– 

2s, began to arrive in Columbus, New Mexico, allowing 

the First Aero Squadron to resume flights in support of 

General Pershing’s efforts; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron received a total of 51 airplanes in Columbus, New Mexico, to support the fight 

against Pancho Villa; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron continued combat and support flights until General Pershing withdrew from Mexico 

in February 1917; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron went on to support United 

States military operations in World War I and every 

major United States military engagement since; 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron, now known as the First 

Reconnaissance Squadron, continues to operate in the 

United States Air Force; and 


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•HRES 644 IH 

Whereas the First Aero Squadron’s actions in 1916 formed 

the foundation of the modern day United States Air 

Force: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the 

3 First Aero Squadron becoming the United States 

4 first aviation unit to take part in military oper5 ations; 

6 (2) celebrates the achievements of the First 

7 Aero Squadron over the past 100 years; and 

8 (3) honors and expresses thanks to all United 

9 States Airmen who fought in defense of the Nation 

10 in the 100 years since the First Aero Squadron 

11 began operations. 

Æ 


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