Article - The Centennial of Naval Aviation - 2011

The Centennial of Naval Aviation

On 12th February 2011, the United States Navy kicked off a yearlong celebration with a parade of flight and open house on Naval Air Station North Island. The event heralded the US Navy Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations and was an event that will live long in the memory of the people who attended.

On the 17th February 1911, Glenn Curtiss taxied his seaplane to the battleship USS Pennsylvania which was anchored in San Diego bay, the aircraft was hoisted aboard and then lowered back into the bay before taxiing back to dry land. This single event prompted the US Navy to purchase its first aircraft, the A1 Triad and the rest, as they say is history. Fast forward 100 years to the centennial celebration of that milestone achievement to the place where it all began in San Diego. The Centennial of Naval Aviation, Parade of Flight and Open House on Naval Air Station North Island was the kick-off event, years in the planning, culminating in a once-in –a-lifetime aerial review involving over two hundred aircraft linked to United States naval air power; past, present and future. Many of the aircraft on show were painted in special schemes to mark the celebrations.

The Heritage Scheme Project was initiated to create a living history and appreciation of the US Navy’s heritage for the centennial celebrations. The paint project schemes were interpretations of historical directives, tailored to the different airframes in use today with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard. In all, 28 aircraft were painted, 17 Fleet and 11 Training Command. Many of the different schemes were on show however; the final aircraft wasn’t completed until March 2011.

In perfect weather, the main event, the aerial review began at 13:00 with the US Navy’s official parachute team, the Leap Frogs, descending from above as the National anthem rang out. As the final parachutist landed, the Blue Angles appeared in formation to mark the start of the aerial review. During the review, the US Marine Corps demonstrated a revised version of its Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration and the US Coast Guard demonstrated its Search and Rescue role. Two hours passed before the final act, the John C Stennis air wing CVW-9 appeared in large formation over the Pacific Ocean. The formation comprising of 29 x F-18 Hornets, 3 x EA-6 Prowlers, 2 x E-2 Hawkeyes and 1 x C-2 Greyhound flew slowly over the top of the crowd before disappearing over the San Diego skyline.

I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the Public Affairs’ Office on NAS North Island who were instrumental in arranging one of the best public events I have ever had the opportunity to visit.

Author and Photography by Jason Grant