Naval Air Station Patuxent River will honor 100 years of naval flight and celebrate the unique century-long friendship between Naval Aviation and our local community during this year’s Air Expo kicking off Sept 3-4, 2011.

 The beginning of Naval Aviation is marked by the Navy’s first requisition by Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, officer in charge of aviation, to purchase an aircraft from aviation pioneer and inventor Glenn H. Curtiss.  Naval Aviation has figured prominently on both the national and international stage during both peace and wartime and is emblematic of America’s ingenuity, ability, and forward thinking.  The 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation is a milestone unparalleled by any achievement and worthy of much celebration.
 
From its inception, Naval Aviation has been a “Global Force for Good”. Naval Aviation is a symbol of power and a force for stability in an increasingly unstable and interconnected world.  Naval Aviation involves everything from engaging in combat and warfare support, to keeping waterways safe and open for global commerce, to deterring sea piracy and drug trafficking.  Exceptional people, leading technology, and incredible capabilities all focused on making the world a better place.
 
As we commemorate the past 100 years of progress and achievement in Naval Aviation, we are particularly grateful for our long and cherished friendships with local communities, regions and global neighbors.  We deeply appreciate the sustained support from our service members, their families, our governments, the American public, and friends and allies overseas.  We cannot continue functioning as the most capable naval air force in the world without this support.  We proudly honor our Naval Aviation heritage and courageous forerunners who greatly inspire the men and women of today’s Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  Our hope is the Centennial celebration will inspire others to serve in their wake.
 
The Centennial will serve as the central theme to this year’s Air Expo with booths, historical experts, vintage aircraft demonstrations, and static displays designed to educate and entertain air show attendants.  Merchandise featuring the trademarked Centennial logo will also be available for purchase at the air show.  We hope you will join us as we celebrate the many achievements in naval aviation to date and look forward to the new advancements in naval aviation to come.
 
NAS Pax River CO Capt. Stephen Schmeiser’s Welcome
 
2011 marks a special year for Naval Aviation as we celebrate its 100th Anniversary. On 8 May 1911, Captain Washington Irving Chambers, United States Navy, officer in charge of aviation, prepared the requisition for the Navy’s first ai

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