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
NY National Guard In the News
Stars and Stripes -- Wed, 14 May 2025 10 New York National Guard soldiers injured in 2024 drone attack receive Purple Hearts Ten New York National Guard soldiers received the Purple Heart last Saturday at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, N.Y., according to an Army news release. The 101st... (more)
Governing -- Wed, 14 May 2025 The Surprisingly Expansive Role of the National Guard While primarily a military reserve force, the National Guard also responds to a wide variety of state-level missions some familiar kinds of missions, some more unusual. In Brief: Workforce... (more)
Newsday -- Wed, 14 May 2025 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach to get first helicopter training simulator in Northeast, mimicking perilous conditions Pilots stationed at the New York Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach will soon be able to safely train for a host of perilous conditions, as the base at Francis S. Gabreski... (more)