In this painting from the National Guard historical series, members of the 1st Aero Company, New York National Guard, return from the first mass flight--12 JN-4"Jenny" aircraft-- in U.S. history from Mineola, Long Island to Princeton, N.J. and back, that was conducted Nov. 18-19, 1916.
The descendants of the 1st Aero Company, the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, is based on Long Island today, flying air rescue missions out of Francis Gabreski Airport; the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States.
The 1st Aero Company was organized as an Signal Corps observation balloon company by the New York National Guard on 30 April, 1908.
One hundred soldiers gathered in the 71st Regiment Armory in New York City eventually formed the company, which in 1915 switched from balloons to airplanes.
DMNA Press Releases
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VFW.org -- Mon, 26 Jan 2026 Harlem Hellfighters Recognized VFW remembers the Harlem Hellfighters, members of the 369th Infantry Regiment who last year received the Congressional Gold Medal More than a century after their sacrifices in World War I,... (more)
News USA Today -- Sun, 25 Jan 2026 NY Winter Storm: Travel Bans, National Guard Deployed Jan 2024 A powerful winter storm is poised to blanket much of New York State with a foot or more of snow, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to initiate travel restrictions and mobilize the National Guard.The... (more)
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