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 Squad-
ron’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 for-
mal flight training classes, instead were typically self- 
taught or provided ground instructions followed by indi-
vidual 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, ar-
rived 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 ex-
tremely 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. Jo-
seph Carberry, Lt. Thomas Bowen, Lt. Carleton Chap-
man, 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 motor-
cycles; 
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 sup-
port 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 re-
maining 2 were inoperable due to mechanical issues, as 
a result General Pershing ordered the First Aero Squad-
ron 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 air-
planes in Columbus, New Mexico, to support the fight 
against Pancho Villa; 
Whereas the First Aero Squadron continued combat and sup-
port 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the 
First Aero Squadron becoming the United States 
first aviation unit to take part in military oper-
ations; 
(2) celebrates the achievements of the First 
Aero Squadron over the past 100 years; and 
(3) honors and expresses thanks to all United 
States Airmen who fought in defense of the Nation 
in the 100 years since the First Aero Squadron 
began operations. 
Æ 
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