Action of 9 April 1914 The Action of 9 April 1914 was an important turning point in naval and aviation history . On the said date one of the first naval / air skirmishes took place . This engagement took place off the coast of western Mexico during the Mexican Revolution . The action was part of the naval campaign off Topolobampo at the edge of the Gulf of California . A Constitutionalist biplane dropped bombs on two Huertista gunboat s ; they all missed . Background . After four engagements with the Federals , Lieutenant Hilario Malpica , of the gunboat " Tampico " , was awarded the rank of Captain , apparently by a Constitutionalist commander , General Álvaro Obregón . " Tampico " sat inside the bar at Topolobampo , partially sunk and blockade d . When President Francisco I . Madero took office , he sponsored five Mexicans to travel to Long Island , New York , to train as pilots at the Moisant International Aviators School . The " Famous Five " were Gustavo Salinas Camiña , Alberto Salinas Carranza , Horacio Ruiz Gaviño with two of his brothers , Juan Pablo Aldasoro and Eduardo Aldasoro Suárez . Camina would eventually be in service during the Mexican Revolution where he was summoned by General Obregon to break the blockade of Topolobampo . Action . On April 9 , 1914 , Captain Camina lifted off from an airfield constructed behind Topolobampo for an attack run on the gunboats " Guerrero " and " Morelos " , which were under the command of Captain Navio Torres of the " Guerrero " . Camina was armed with five explosives , which when dropped would detonate upon impact . He flew a Glenn L . Martin Company biplane . The " Guerrero " was armed with four 4 inch guns ; it is not known what " Morelos " was armed with but most likely 4 inch guns as well . In addition , the crews of the gunboats had rifles and pistols . Captain Camina entered Topolobampo Bay , there he sighted the two Huertista gunboats at anchor . Little is known but Camina remained high in the air . The aircraft was spotted by lookouts aboard " Guerrero " and " Morelos " , the crews were ordered to take up small arms and fire on the biplane . With shots whizzing by , Captain Camina continued his attack run until over the target , he quickly looked over the side and dropped the five bombs over the warships which were anchored close to each other . The bombs fell and Camina turned and headed for home . It is believed the rebel biplane was not hit by small arms fire . The bombs all failed to hit the target , although a couple did detonate near " Guerrero " . Captain Camina was too high in the sky to have a good chance of hitting the gunboats , either way the small engagement became one of the first naval actions involving aircraft . Aftermath . The commanders of " Guerrero " and " Morelos " would be subsequently forced to abandon the blockade of Topolobampo , in order to resupply and coal their vessels . The end of the blockade gave " Tampico " a chance to take the fight to the federal gunboats . She would encounter only one , the " Guerrero " , at the final Fourth Battle of Topolobampo . " Morelos " would not participate , she was destroyed during the Siege of Mazatlan , where she ran aground in the harbor and over time was destroyed by both the rebel and federal forces .