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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Stars and Stripes -- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 Congress funds powerful new airlifter on skis for US polar operations The Pentagon has secured $194 million to build the first of a fleet of new ski planes that will support troops flying over the Arctic and Antarctic. Funding approved by Congress last month... (more)
Spectrum News1 -- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 6 New York Army National Guard soldiers awarded French medals for acts of bravery (video) ROCHESTER, N.Y. A group of National Guardsmen, largely hailing from Western New York, are being honored for their "exceptionally honorable service" in the Middle East. It was... (more)
Lockport Sun and Journal -- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 Lockport man among Army National Guardsmen awarded a French military honor ROCHESTER A Lockport resident is one of six New York Army National Guardsmen who received the French equivalent of the Bronze Star on Sunday, for efforts to help rescue 34 French special... (more)