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Celebrating 100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation

Features, On Target  //  April 11th, 2012  //  By Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers

This May, the Marine Corps will celebrate 100 years of aviation history. Since A.A. Cunningham's first flight in 1912 until now, Marines have adapted their aviation abilities to support ground troops, deliver supplies and assist in amphibious assaults. Join the Marine Corps as it celebrates the Aviation Centennial with events Corpswide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joely Santiago)

“Flying … means a new and wonderful weapon of warfare, the value of which is not appreciated in this country.” – 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham, 1916

This May, Marine Corps aviation will celebrate its 100th birthday. On May 22, 1912, 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham arrived at Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Md., to begin aviation training. After only two hours and 40 minutes of instruction, Cunningham took off on the first-ever Marine Corps solo training flight. This flight marked the beginning of the journey of Marine Corps aviation, which has continued to expand over the past century to support ground troops, amphibious landings and assault missions.

As part of the aviation centennial celebration, the Marine Corps published "100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation: An Illustrated History" that highlights the rich history of aviation over the past 100 years. The book contains images, interviews and historical accounts that take the reader on a journey through Marine Corps aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Carrasco)

Since May 2011, the Marine Corps has highlighted its rich aviation history through the Marine Aviation Centennial with air shows and events around the Corps and recently with the release of a new book, “100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation: An Illustrated History.”

The book, published by the Marine Corps and downloadable online, takes the reader on a journey through the history of Marine aviation. The book features rare images and descriptions of the roles Marine aircraft have played in pivotal battles in American history in addition to the people, aircraft and events that have shaped the development of aviation. The book also contains first-hand accounts from Marine aviators, a timeline of aviation history and an overview of each time period in aviation development. As a whole, the book acknowledges and celebrates the importance of aviation as a pivotal element of the Marine Air Ground Task Force and highlights its successful adaptation to ever-evolving warfare tactics.

“For nearly 100 years, Marine Aviation has demonstrated the adaptability, agility and unique ethos that come with the title ‘Marine,’” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos. “Supporting our ground and logistics brothers and sisters, Marine Aviation has forged a lasting legacy of professionalism, innovation and transformation. The centennial of Marine Aviation provides us a unique opportunity to reflect on this legacy of success as we turn our eyes to the future.”

Be sure to log on to the Marine Aviation Centennial website for information about the book release and future celebration events Corpswide.

Upcoming centennial celebration events:

21-22 April: New Orleans Air Show (Blue Angels performing)

21 April: Thunder Over Louisville Air Show

5-6 May: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show (Blue Angels performing)

14-20 May: ACE Symposium & Marine Corps Aviation Association Reunion, Washington

19-20 May: Joint Service Open House, Andrews Air Force Base (Blue Angels performing)

Click here for more information and here to download the book.

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  • Cpl Chief

    I for one appreciate the life long friendships I have with my fellow Marines while serving at MCAS (H) Tustin, CA with 3rd MAW, H&MS-16, and my Squadron HMH-363 “Lucky Red Lions,” as an Power Plants Mechanic for GE T-64 Turbo Shaft Jet from 1984-1987.  I can only give you guys the highest praise for serving our country while at war.  God bless you and your families, and the United States Marine Corps!!!!  OORAH Marines!!!!

  • Gc7497

    I served on the island of tinian in the Mariana’s. I was in squadron VMB-242. I was on the island fwhen the Navy cruiser, Annapolis came to the island to deliver the Atomic Bomb. Some of us went down to the dock to see it unloaded on a flat bed truck and taken up to the B-29 flight line. We went up to the flight line to witness the Enola Gay along with the other B-29s go down the runway for the flight up to Hiroshima to drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan.

    I will never forget that experience.

    Cpl Gordon L Carpenter
    Sqd VMTB-242

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Savage/1795285921 Brian Savage

    As a former AH-64A crew chief I salute the Marines 100 years of superb flying  in combat. ”

    The home page mentioned talking about our favorite aircraft flown by the USMC. For me thats a hard one. Theres the Corsair F4U4 that the likes of Pappy Boyington flew. The legendary F-4 Phantom.  The AV-8 Harrier. The AH-1W. The work horses CH-46, CH-53′s and 54′s and the UH-1N Huey. The F-18 Super Hornet. V-22 Ospray and now the VF-35.

    Just sooo many……  As long as they are flown by Marines they are all  great.

    SGT Savage, USANG

  • Tjnissen

    Marine Aviation (100th Birthday), Semper FI

  • Fran Adams

    I crewed CH-46′s so that is my favorite plane.  Plus the F-4 Phatom Jet was the most menacing looking plane ever.

  • Helomech4

    CH-53D….where I started my 30 year aviation career.

  • Anonymous

    An amazing career and a “first” in Marine aviation: Lt. General Frank E. Petersen. In Into the Tiger’s Jaw: America’s First Black Marine Aviator: The Autobiography of Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen (1998,
    Presidio Press), the general tells a truly
    amazing story of a career that spanned the brutal years of segregation
    at its worst until the present days of a new era.
    The general began his military career in 1950 as a seaman’s apprentice in the Navy. He wanted to be a pilot, and through
    intellect, determination, and guts, he won a place in the Naval
    Aviation Cadet program. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the
    Marine Corps in October of 1952 and was a combat pilot in both Korea and
    Vietnam.  The general turned 80 on March 2. Lt. Gen. Petersen is one of
    my heroes.

  • Anonymous

    My father, the late B. Gen. Edward C. Dyer, USMC, knew no greater honor than being a Marine and an aviator. Among his other contributions: he made among the first night landings on aircraft carriers (Lexington and Saratoga), before radar was in use. Later he helped organize and was first commander of HMX-1 at Quantico, the very first helicopter squadron.

  • Anonymous

    I grew up on Marine Corps bases in the South, West, and Hawaii. My father is the late B. Gen. Edward C. Dyer

  • Anonymous

     I am so proud of my Marine father the late B. Gen. Edward C. Dyer: with the help, intelligence, vision and spirit of a bunch of great Marines, in 1947 he organized and commanded the first Marine Helicopter Squadron at Quantico, Virginia, HMX-1 (Helicopter Marine Experimental 1 ) Today Marine 1 has the mission of safely taking our president to his destinations.
    Elle Thornton

  • 7254

     OORAH ATC. Approach control at Cherry Point.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Timothy-Hernandez/100003690005149 Timothy Hernandez

    Congratulations on 100 years of aviation excellence.  As an Army Aviator I am proud to have shared the air space with such an outstanding force and enjoyed supporting those devil dogs on the ground with fire support from from an AH64D Apache Long Bow.  God bless the Marines Corps and here is to 100 more years of aviation excellence.

  • Celticfox Campbell

    Being in Marine aviation gave me a career path that has been good for me and my family and am proud to have served with some of the finest people on the planet,

    Semper Fi Cpl. Charles Campbell HMH 362 MCAS (H) New River 1983-1986

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Donna-Mae-Jenkins/1467527261 Donna Mae Jenkins

    100th birthday of the U.S.  Marine Corps

  • Eddie Landrum

    MAG 39, 3rd MAW 1992

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Patrick-McDonald/100001580507728 Patrick McDonald

     I.O.U. NAVY Hospital Corps School San Diego BUMED MARINE CORPS TEAM. I.O.U. i care about you. Your men your team your mission is important. Thank You for your service to America and to your mates. Marines are your Brothers and Sisters;Semper Fidelis Honorable Marines. Stand together.

  • Hwfryman

    My 93 yr. old Tech. Sgt. dad was a WWII B-25 crew chief.  He is still proud of that plane.  But I’ve seen so little of it in Marine Corps publicity.  If you have sources of photos and history I would appreciate you posting that info. 

    My son is now a Lance Corporal in Afghanistan.  I am co-founder of our local Marine Corps League.  Semper Fi runs through our blood.

  • Thomas Walls

    Where can I buy a paper copy of the book? I don’t want a PDF

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1007596242 Paul Campbell

     VMA 241 = VMSB 241 Battle of Midway Major Lofton Henderson C.O. = Henderson Field.
      I was a proud member of VMA 241 flying A-4 started out as a plane captain end my tour as Flight Line NCOIC. I am proud to be a Marine and honored to have part of Marine Aviation
      SGT P. D. Campbell

  • Larry Butts

    Former Marine Air Control Squadron radar operator. Semper Fi!

  • MJ Roberts

    I earned my wings in 1971, CH-53A Crew Chief HMH-361, MCASH Tustin. Marine Aviation is a forever moving experience. Wish I could do it all over again!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Paul-Ricci/100000176113679 Paul Ricci

    I served proudly as a VMFA-122 “Crusader” and was happy to deliver steel on target
     

  • http://www.facebook.com/dave.geisert Dave Geisert

     Top! 

    …and here I was, feeling old, for having been around to get myself a 75th anniversary patch, while stationed at MCAS New River.

    Semper Fi!
    GySgt Dave Geisert (ret)

  • Asociaciondeim

    We do not even have helicopters and least with this current government that we deserve the well-born Argentine

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000448904826 Charlotte Pinder

    My grandson did join 15 months ago.  We are all so proud of him!

  • Leonard Culotta

    I feel honored to have been  a part of Marine Aviation from 1942 to 1968. God Bless and take care of our Marines at all times…

    MSgt Leonard Cuotta (Ret)

  • ReadyFront

    Join the Corps?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=635920256 Jason Clarke

    MV-22 Osprey glad to see the new improvements. 

  • guillermo

    i want to join

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This entry was posted on April 11th, 2012 at 2:51 pm and is filed under the Features, On Target category. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.