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94-436: On 1 October 2010, Langley Air Force Base was joined with Fort Eustis to become Joint Base Langley–Eustis . The base was established in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission . The legislation ordered the consolidation of the two facilities which were nearby, but separate military installations, into a single joint base , one of 12 formed in

188-579: A British two-seat biplane day bomber of the First World War . It was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland (hence "DH") for Airco , and was the first British two-seat light day-bomber capable of defending itself. It was designed and developed specifically as a bomber , as well as aerial reconnaissance missions. The DH.4 was to have been powered by the new 160 hp (120 kW) Beardmore Halford Pullinger (BHP) engine, but problems with that resulted in numerous other engines being used, perhaps

282-709: A DH.4 power plant, was adopted. The Liberty was also eventually adopted by the British to power the DH.9A variant of the type. After the war, a number of firms, most significant of these being Boeing , were contracted by the U.S. Army to remanufacture surplus DH.4s to the improved DH.4B standard. Internally referred to by Boeing as the Model 16 , deliveries of 111 aircraft from this manufacturer took place between March and July 1920; reportedly, roughly 50 of these were returned for further refurbishments three years later. During 1923,

376-463: A coast-to-coast, transcontinental airmail service, between San Francisco and New York, a distance of 2,680 mi (4,310 km), involving night flight, the first services starting on 21 August 1924. The DH-4 continued in Post Office service until 1927, when the last airmail routes were passed to private contractors. War-surplus DH-4s were available cheaply in sufficient quantities to stimulate

470-577: A defensive fortification at the mouth of Hampton Roads about 15 miles (24 km) east at Old Point Comfort in what is now the city of Hampton . A few miles upstream along the James River , a satellite facility, Camp Wallace , was established in 1918 as the Upper Firing Range of for artillery training. Consisting of 30 barracks, six storehouses, and eight mess halls. Camp Wallace included some rugged terrain and bluffs overlooking

564-524: A few more into target tugs ( DH.4M-1K ). Thirty of the aircraft ordered by the Army were diverted to the Navy for Marine Corps use, these designated O2B-1 for the base model, and O2B-2 for aircraft equipped for night and cross-country flying . The Airco DH.4 was a conventional tractor two bay biplane of all-wooden construction. It was entirely built of traditional materials. The forward fuselage section and

658-488: A fleet of ships headed upriver bringing supplies from England and a fresh determination to stay. He literally turned the situation around by convincing the colonists, who had just abandoned Jamestown, to turn their ships around and go back to colonizing in the area, rather than return to England. Phettiplace (Peter) Clouse was one of the early colonists. Born in Bremen, Germany in 1593, he came to Jamestown, Virginia in 1608 at

752-613: A golf course and firing ranges at Fort Eustis. Phettiplace Clouse survived the Indian Massacre of 22 March 1622, as he was listed among the living on the Jamestown Colony muster of 16 February 1623. As a landowner, he was a member of the House of Burgess, Jamestown, Virginia Colony and recorded in attendance 16 October 1629, representing Mulberry Island along with another owner, Thomas Harwood. Among those who almost left

846-487: A group of four RNAS DH.4s were jointly credited with the sinking of the German U-boat UB 12 on 19 August 1918. The DH.4 proved a huge success and was often considered the best single-engined bomber of World War I. Even when fully loaded with bombs, with its reliability and impressive performance, the type proved highly popular with its crews. The Airco DH.4 was easy to fly, and especially when fitted with

940-517: A link with renowned transportation units of the past. The Training Brigade was reflagged the 8th Transportation Brigade, honoring the 8th Transportation Group in Vietnam. The 8th Transportation Group enjoyed an outstanding reputation in Vietnam for its support of numerous tactical operations and for the development of the "gun truck," a highly armored 5-ton truck usually sporting multiple M2 .50 caliber machine guns. The 2nd Battalion, Training Brigade,

1034-530: A new mission, to develop special detector equipment used in antisubmarine warfare. Langley units played a vital role in the sinking of enemy submarines off the United States coast during the war. The field was also used for training purposes. On 25 May 1946, during the beginning of the Cold War , the headquarters of the newly formed Tactical Air Command were established at Langley. The command's mission

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1128-456: A portion of the base is still referred to as the LTA (lighter-than-air) area. In the early 1920s, Langley became the site where a new air power concept was tried and proven. Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell led bombing runs from Langley by the 1st Provisional Air Brigade over captured German warships anchored off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina. These first successful tests set the precedent for

1222-714: A second prototype, equipped with the Rolls-Royce engine, conducted its first flight. In response to its favourable performance, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) decided to place an initial order for the type during late 1916. Separately to the RFC's interactions with the DH.4, it had received substantial interest from the Royal Navy as well. The Admiralty decided to order a further pair of prototypes, configured to suit

1316-484: A site near Hampton in Elizabeth City County was selected. In 1917, the new proving ground was designated Langley Field for one of America's early air pioneers, Samuel Pierpont Langley . Langley had first made tests with his manned heavier-than-air craft, launched from a houseboat catapult, in 1903. His first attempts failed and he died in 1906, shortly before a rebuilt version of his craft soared into

1410-743: A soldier's affiliation with the Transportation Corps. Upon completion of the Transportation Officer Basic Course, officers are automatically inducted into the Corps, Warrant Officers' are inducted upon completion of the Warrant Officer Candidate Course and enlisted soldiers are inducted upon completion of Advanced Individual Training. Major General Fred E. Elam, the first Regimental Commander, named General Frank S. Besson, Jr. as

1504-543: Is a United States Army installation in Newport News, Virginia . In 2010, it was combined with nearby Langley Air Force Base to form Joint Base Langley–Eustis . The post is the home to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command , the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School , the 7th Transportation Brigade , and Joint Task Force - Civil Support . Other significant tenants include

1598-645: The Air Force Command and Control Integration Center field operating agency and Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC). Langley is also home to the F-22 Raptor Demo Team . This team, who travel all over the world performing different maneuvers used in air combat, is used to help recruit for the United States Air Force. Performing at airshows and other special events, the squadron is the only demonstration team to use

1692-605: The Armistice of 11 November 1918 , many DH.4s were sold to civil operators where it was found to be particularly useful as a mailplane . Early commercial passenger airplane service in Europe was initiated with modified variants of the DH-4. War-surplus DH-4s became key aircraft in newly emerging air forces throughout the world. The U.S. Army later had several companies re-manufacture its remaining DH.4s to DH.4B standard and they operated

1786-584: The Army Center for Initial Military Training (USACIMT), Army Training Support Center (ATSC), the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) and Enterprise Multimedia Center (EMC). At Fort Eustis and Fort Story, officers and enlisted soldiers receive education and on-the-job training in all modes of transportation, aviation maintenance, logistics and deployment doctrine and research. The headquarters of

1880-487: The Army Transportation Corps was at Fort Eustis until 2010 when it moved to Fort Lee, now Fort Gregg-Adams . In accordance with the 2005 BRAC legislation , the administration of Fort Eustis was passed to the 633d Air Base Wing (USAF). The 733d Mission Support Group manages the installation's garrison operations. Much of the low-lying land along the James River which now constitutes Fort Eustis

1974-562: The Australian airline QANTAS , flying its first airmail service in 1922. Twelve DH.4s forming part of the Imperial Gift to Canada were used for forestry patrol and survey work, spotting hundreds of forest fires and helping to save millions of dollars worth of timber, with the last example finally being withdrawn in 1927. The U.S. Post Office also adopted the DH-4 to carry air mail. The Service acquired 100 of them from

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2068-479: The Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps , named for aviation pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langley . It was used during World War I as a flying field, balloon station, observers’ school, photography school, experimental engineering department, and for aerial coast defense. It is situated on 3,152 acres of land between the cities of Hampton (south), NASA LaRC (west), and the northwest and southwest branches of

2162-750: The Back River . "AirPower over Hampton Roads" is a recurring airshow held at Langley in the spring. Many demonstrations take place, including the F-22 Raptor Demonstration, Aerobatics , and parachute demos. Because of the possibility of crashes of the F-22s and other aircraft stationed at the base, the City of Hampton has partnered with the Commonwealth of Virginia and United States Air Force to purchase privately owned property within

2256-637: The Fisher Body Corporation , and the Standard Aircraft Corporation produced this Americanized variant of the DH.4, featuring over 1,000 modifications from the original British design, to equip the American air services. A total of 9,500 DH.4s were ordered from American manufacturers, of which 1,885 actually reached France during the war. In American production, the new Liberty engine , which had proved suitable as

2350-758: The Great Depression . Fort Eustis was reopened as a military installation in August 1940 as the Coast Artillery Replacement Training Center . In 1943, the Caribbean Regiment of the British Army was formed there. In 1946, Fort Eustis became home to the newly formed Transportation School which moved from New Orleans. Training in rail , marine, amphibious operations and other modes of transportation

2444-680: The Lost Battalion of the 77th Division , cut off by German troops during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive ; while Second Lieutenant Ralph Talbot and Gunnery Sergeant Robert G. Robinson of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) were awarded the Medal of Honor for beating off attacks from 12 German fighters during a bombing raid over Belgium on 8 October 1918. The type flew with 13 U.S. squadrons by

2538-645: The November 2009 Mid-Atlantic nor'easter . Hurricane Isabel damages to Langley Air Force Base were approximately $ 147 million. The damages associated with the 2009 nor'easter were approximately $ 43 million. Resilience measures taken since 2003 include raising low-lying critical infrastructure, mandating a minimum elevation for new construction, construction of a 6 mile long sea wall and a groundwater pumping station. The site of Langley Air Force base, with an average elevation of 3 feet, has seen 14 inches of sea level rise since 1930. On 1 October 2010, Langley Air Force Base

2632-514: The Paris Peace Conference . Several of the DH.4s used for this purpose were modified with an enclosed cabin for two passengers at the request of Bonar Law . One of these planes was extensively used by Prime Minister David Lloyd George and was sometimes called Lloyd George's airplane - probably the first aeroplane widely used by a political leader. Modified aircraft were designated DH.4A, with at least seven being converted for

2726-809: The Rolls-Royce Eagle that was adopted for production instead. The DH.4 was powered by a variety of engines, including the Eagle, the BHP, the American Liberty , Royal Aircraft Factory RAF3A , the Siddeley Puma and the Fiat . Regardless of the engine used, it drove a four-bladed propeller mounted upon the nose. Cooling for the engine was provided via an oval-shaped radiator, while a port-mounted exhaust manifold discarded waste emissions above

2820-483: The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Overseas, SABCA of Belgium produced a further 15 DH.4s during 1926. As production progressed, various changes and improvements to the design were introduced upon the DH.4. As time went on, production DH.4s were fitted with Eagle engines of increasing power, ending with the 375 hp (280 kW) Eagle VIII, which powered

2914-582: The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command after the closure of Fort Monroe . A portion of the U.S. Maritime Administration 's National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) is anchored in the James River adjacent to Mulberry Island. Known locally as the Ghost Fleet , some of these inactive ships have become too old and deteriorated to ever be reactivated and have become environmental hazards, as they still hold fuel oil and other hazardous substances. Since

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3008-773: The United States Army Air Corps , successor to the United States Army Air Service, until 1932. A large number of DH-4s were also used by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, both during the First World War and postwar. The Navy and Marine Corps received a total of 51 DH-4s during wartime, followed by 172 DH-4B and DH-4B-1 aircraft postwar and 30 DH-4M-1s with welded steel-tube fuselages (redesignated O2B) in 1925. They remained in service with

3102-638: The "Billion Dollar Bonfire". With limited funds available to develop and purchase replacements, the remaining DH-4s formed a major part of American air strength for several years, used for many roles, with as many as 60 variants produced. DH-4s were also widely used for experimental flying, being used as engine testbeds and fitted with new wings. They were used for the first trials of air-to-air refueling on 27 June 1923, and one carried out an endurance flight of 37 hours, 15 minutes on 27–28 August, being refueled 16 times and setting 16 new world records for distance, speed and duration. The DH-4 remained in service with

3196-444: The Army placed an order for a new DH.4 variant from Boeing, distinguished by a fuselage of fabric-covered steel tube in place of the original plywood structure. These three prototypes were designated DH.4M-1 (M for modernized) and were ordered into production alongside the generally similar DH.4M-2 developed by Atlantic Aircraft . A total of 22 of the 163 DH.4M-1s were converted by the Army into dual-control trainers ( DH.4M-1T ) and

3290-402: The BHP engine. Coincidentally, another suitable and promising aeroengine, the water-cooled Rolls-Royce Eagle in-line engine, was approaching the end of its development process. According to Bruce, the Eagle shared the same basic configuration as the BHP engine, which greatly aided in its adoption by de Havilland, as did the engine's endorsement by William Beardmore . During the summer of 1916,

3384-556: The Belgium airline SNETA . G-EAJC of Aircraft Transport and Travel flew the first British commercial passenger service from Hounslow Heath Aerodrome to Paris Le Bourget on 25 August 1919, carrying a reporter from the Evening Standard newspaper and a load of newspapers and other freight. They were used by Aircraft Transport and Travel until it shut down in 1920, while Handley Page Transport and SNETA continued operating

3478-701: The Bolling Commission, the DH.4, along with the Bristol F.2 Fighter , the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 , and French SPAD S.XIII were selected. On 27 July 1917, a single DH.4 was sent to the United States as a pattern aircraft. It was not until 1918 that the first American-built DH.4s came off the production line. Several different manufacturers, including the Boeing Airplane Corporation , Dayton-Wright Company ,

3572-469: The CFS, it was able to attain previously unheard-of time-to-altitude figures, unmatched by any of its predecessors. While flying trials with the prototype had been producing promising results, it soon became clear that the BHP engine would require a major redesign prior to entering production. Even by the time of flying trials with the first prototype, there had been no finalised plans for quantity production of

3666-553: The Clear Zone and Accident Potential Zones, without using eminent domain, to create a safety buffer zone around the base. Langley Air Force Base, originally known as Langley Field, is named after Samuel Pierpont Langley , an aerodynamic pioneer and a former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution . Langley began aerodynamic experiments in 1887 and formed a basis for practical pioneer aviation. He built and saw

3760-653: The DH.4 in most respects. It was left to the further developed DH.9A , with the American Liberty engine, to satisfactorily replace the DH.4. When the Independent Air Force was set up in June 1918 to carry out strategic bombing of targets in Germany , the DH.4s of 55 Squadron formed part of it, being used for daylight attacks. 55 Squadron developed tactics of flying in wedge formations, bombing on

3854-485: The DH.4 until 1921. One aircraft was used by Instone Air Lines until its merger into Imperial Airways in 1924. On September 4, 1922, Jimmy Doolittle made the first cross-country flight, flying a de Havilland DH-4 – which was equipped with early navigational instruments – from Pablo Beach (now Jacksonville Beach ), Florida, to Rockwell Field , San Diego, California, in 21 hours and 19 minutes, making only one refueling stop at Kelly Field . The DH.4 were also used by

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3948-606: The Eagle, extensive investigations into the use of alternative engines for the DH.4 were conducted. This resulted in aircraft being outfitted with a diverse range of engines; these included the BHP (230 hp (170 kW), the Royal Aircraft Factory RAF3A (200 hp (150 kW)), the Siddeley Puma (230 hp (170 kW)) and the 260 hp (190 kW) Fiat , all of which were used to power production aircraft, with varying degrees of success. None of these engines proved to be capable of matching

4042-759: The F-22 Raptor. Pre World War II Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps Air Service (1920–1926); United States Army Air Corps (1926–1941) General Headquarters (GHQ), Air Force World War II First Air Force Army Air Forces Training Command Air Transport Command AAF Antisubmarine Command United States Air Force Tactical Air Command Continental Air Command Tactical Air Command Military Airlift Command Tactical Air Command , and later Air Combat Command [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Fort Eustis Fort Eustis

4136-645: The Marine Corps until 1929, being used against rebel factions in Nicaragua in 1927, carrying out the first dive-bombing attacks made by U.S. military forces. The U.S. Navy converted some DH-4M-1s into primitive air ambulances that could carry one stretcher casualty in an enclosed area behind the pilot. Following the end of the First World War, large numbers of DH.4s and DH.4As were used to operate scheduled passenger services in Europe by such airlines as Aircraft Transport and Travel , Handley Page Transport and

4230-750: The RAF, and a further nine for civil use. At the time of its entry into the war, the United States Army Air Service lacked any aircraft suitable for front line combat. It therefore procured various aircraft from the British and French, one being the DH.4. As the DH-4 , it was manufactured mostly by Dayton-Wright and Fisher Body for service with the United States from 1918, the first American built DH-4 being delivered to France in May 1918, with combat operations commencing in August 1918. The powerplant

4324-742: The RFC, the RNAS also used the DH.4. During the spring of 1917, No. 2 Squadron became the first unit of the service to receive examples of the type. The RNAS flew their DH.4s over both France and over Italy , specifically the Aegean front in the latter case. The DH.4 was typically used to conduct coastal patrols by the RNAS. One such flight, crewed by the pilot Major Egbert Cadbury and Captain Robert Leckie (later Air Vice-Marshal) as gunner, shot down Zeppelin L70 on 5 August 1918. In another incident,

4418-402: The RFC. According to Bruce, it was not a surprise to most observers that the Eagle had been selected to power the first batch of production DH.4s. The initial production aircraft were largely identical to the second prototype, the main difference being the adoption of armament, which included a single synchronised 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun for the pilot, while the observer

4512-583: The Rolls-Royce Eagle engine, its speed and altitude performance gave it a good deal of invulnerability to German fighter interception, so that the DH.4 often did not require a fighter escort on missions, a concept furthered by de Havilland in the later Mosquito of the Second World War. A drawback of the design was the distance between pilot and observer, as they were separated by the large main fuel tank. This made communication between

4606-473: The Rolls-Royce powered version, but as the "Liberty Plane" it became the US Army Air Service standard general purpose two-seater, and on the whole was fairly popular with its crews. Aircrew operating the DH-4 were awarded four of the six Medals of Honor awarded to American aviators. First Lieutenant Harold Ernest Goettler and Second Lieutenant Erwin R. Bleckley received posthumous awards after being killed on 12 October 1918 attempting to drop supplies to

4700-487: The United States as a result of the law. On February 4, 2023, an F-22 Raptor took off from the base and shot down a Chinese balloon , marking the jet's first-ever combat air kill. The Air Force mission at Langley is to sustain the ability for fast global deployment and air superiority for the United States or allied armed forces. The base is one of the oldest facilities of the Air Force, having been established on 30 December 1916, prior to America's entry to World War I by

4794-407: The age of 15. He sailed upon the English ship Starr from London working as an indentured servant for his passage to the English Colony in America. In 1619, he was granted 100 acres of land on the east bank of the Warwick River (Warwicksqueake River) on Mulberry Island by Sir George Yardley, Colonial Governor of Virginia. Part of his land grant today is presumed to be land occupied by military housing,

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4888-399: The air in 1914. Langley Field was the first Air Service base built especially for air power, is the oldest continually active air force base in the world, and is the oldest airfield in Virginia. In 1916, the National Advisory Council for Aeronautics (NACA), predecessor to NASA, established the need for a joint airfield and proving ground for Army, Navy and NACA aircraft. NACA determined that

4982-416: The airplane's new role of strategic bombardment. Throughout the 1930s Langley Field occupied a principal position in the Army's efforts to strengthen the offensive and defensive posture of its air arm. The small grassy field became a major airfield of the United States Army Air Corps , and many of the brick buildings of today were constructed at that time. At the outbreak of World War II , Langley took on

5076-411: The army in 1918, and retrofitted them to make them safer, denominating them as the DH.4B. In 1919, the DH-4B was standardised by the US Post Office, being modified to be flown from the rear cockpit with a 400 lb (180 kg) watertight mail compartment replacing the forward cockpit. The airmail DH-4B were later modified with revised landing gear and an enlarged rudder . DH-4s were used to establish

5170-405: The best of which was the 375 hp (280 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. The DH.4 first flew in August 1916 and it entered operational service in France on 6 March 1917 less than a year later. The majority were manufactured as general purpose two-seaters in the United States for the American expeditionary forces in France, becoming the only American made plane to see combat in WW1. Following

5264-423: The crew members difficult, especially in combat with enemy fighters. There was also some controversy (especially in American service) that this placement of the fuel tank was inherently unsafe. In fact, most contemporary aircraft were prone to catching fire in the air. The fire hazard was reduced, however, when the pressurised fuel system was replaced by one using wind-driven fuel pumps late in 1917, although this

5358-406: The end of 1918. Following the end of the First World War, America had a large surplus of DH-4s, with the improved DH-4B becoming available, although none had been shipped to France. It was therefore decided that there was no point in returning aircraft across the Atlantic, so those remaining in France, together with other obsolete observation and trainer aircraft, were burned in what became known as

5452-404: The end of the Great War. One of the more elaborate modifications of the DH.4 was the adaption of the type as a seaplane. It was furnished with large floats , which were allegedly based upon the design of those used upon the German Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 seaplane. According to Bruce, while no such aircraft entered into operational service as a result of competition from other aircraft to perform

5546-400: The first honorary Colonel of the Regiment (posthumously) in honor of his lifelong service to the Transportation Corps. The U.S. Army Transportation Museum , a museum of U.S. Army vehicles and other transportation related equipment, and memorabilia , is located on the grounds of Fort Eustis. The following units are stationed at Fort Eustis: De Havilland DH.4 The Airco DH.4 is

5640-424: The first steam model airplane in 1896 and the first gasoline model in 1903. Both planes were believed to be capable of flight. He also built the first man-carrying gasoline airplane in 1903, which failed to fly on its first attempt and broke apart and crashed on its second. It was, after major modification eleven years later, flown successfully by Glenn Curtiss for a little over three seconds, traveling 150 feet through

5734-521: The fuel tank was positioned. While the crew arrangement provided good fields of view for both the pilot and observer; however, it had the noticeable downside of causing communication problems between the two crew members, particularly during combat situation, where the speaking tube that linked the two cockpits was of only limited use. On the majority of American-built aircraft, the pilot's seating and fuel tank arrangement were switched around; aviation author Peter M Bowers credits this change with improving

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5828-440: The leader's command and with the massed defensive fire of the formation deterring attacks by enemy fighters. Despite heavy losses, 55 Squadron continued in operation, the only one of the day bombing squadrons in the Independent Force which did not have to temporarily stand down owing to aircrew losses. After the Armistice , the RAF formed No. 2 Communication Squadron , equipped with DH.4s to carry important passengers to and from

5922-412: The majority of frontline DH.4s by the end of 1917. However, this transition was greatly hindered as by January 1917, it had become clear that there was a chronic shortage of Rolls-Royce aero engines, and of the Eagle in particular; it has been claimed by Bruce that this shortfall was partially the result of protracted decision-making on the part of the Air Board. In response to the limited availability of

6016-428: The military build-up for World War I . Approximately 200 residents were relocated, many to the Jefferson Park area nearby in Warwick County. Camp Abraham Eustis was established as a coast artillery replacement center for Fort Monroe and a balloon observation school. It was named for Brevet Brigadier General Abraham Eustis , a 19th-century U.S. military leader who had been the first commanding officer of Fort Monroe ,

6110-399: The mobilization of American industry to set about the production of contemporary combat aircraft. As there were no suitable aircraft domestically, a technical commission, known as the Bolling Commission, was dispatched to Europe to seek out the best available combat aircraft and to make arrangements to enable their production to be established in the United States. As a result of the efforts of

6204-420: The others were to find new success. Lord Delaware's skills and resources combined with Rolfe's new strain of tobacco to provide the colony with effective leadership structure as the new cash crop began financial stabilization by 1612. By 1614, Rolfe owned an interest in a tobacco plantation. That same year, he became the husband of Pocahontas . For the next 300 years, Mulberry Island remained very rural, until it

6298-427: The performance of the Eagle engine, which remained the preferred options despite the persistent supply constraints. At the time of entry of the United States into the First World War on 6 April 1917, the aviation section of the U.S. Signal Corps was unprepared, not being equipped with any aircraft suitable for combat. However, considerable optimism and energy was put into addressing this identified need, leading to

6392-453: The pilot's safety in the event of a crash, as well as allowing for better communication with the observer. The DH.4 was armed with a single forward-firing synchronised Vickers machine gun along with either one or two .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns fitted on a Scarff ring fired by the observer. In terms of bomb load, it accommodate a maximum payload of 460 lb (210 kg), which could be mounted upon external racks. Throughout

6486-464: The prototype DH.4 made its first flight, powered by a prototype 230 hp (170 kW) BHP engine. Initial flight tests revealed it to have favourable handling and performance. The Central Flying School (CFS) conducted early evaluation flights using the prototype, leading to it producing a favourable report on the aircraft, observing good stability in flight, light flying controls and its relatively comfortable crew positions. During its flights with

6580-505: The river. It was the site of anti-aircraft warfare training during World War II . Many years later, the Army's aerial tramway was first erected at Camp Wallace and later moved to Fort Eustis near the Reserve Fleet for further testing. The purpose of the tramway was to provide cargo movement from ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship, and overland. The tramway supplemented beach and pier operations, used unloading points deemed unusable due to inadequate or non-navigable waters, or to traverse land that

6674-413: The role, a number of DH.4 seaplanes were produced for trial purposes at Felixstowe and were successfully flown. The DH.4 entered service with the RFC in January 1917, first being used by No. 55 Squadron . More squadrons were equipped with the type to increase the bombing capacity of the RFC, with two squadrons re-equipping in May, and a total of six squadrons by the end of the year. During late 1917,

6768-412: The service's own requirements, for evaluation purposes; however, according to Bruce, it is unlikely that the second of these was ever constructed. Following trials with the first of these prototypes, orders were placed for the production of DH.4s to equip the Royal Naval Air Service . During late 1916, the first order for 50 DH.4s, powered by 250 hp (190 kW) Eagle III engines, was received from

6862-434: The site must be near water for over-water flying, be flat and relatively clear for expansion and the landing and take-off of aircraft, and near an Army post. The Army appointed a board of officers who searched for a location. The officers sometimes posed as hunters and fishermen to avoid potential land speculation which would arise if the government's interest in purchasing land was revealed. Fifteen locations were scouted before

6956-527: The sky. Training units assigned to Langley Field: Several buildings had been constructed on the field by late 1918. Aircraft on the ramp at that time included the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny", used by Langley's School of Aerial Photography, and the de Havilland DH.4 bomber, both used during World War I. Although short-lived, hydrogen-filled dirigibles played an important role in Langley's early history and

7050-580: The start of the 21st century many of these ships, some dating back to the World War II era have been removed under contracts with scrapping companies. On 31 July 1986, the Transportation Corps celebrated its 44th anniversary. This was also the day the Transportation Corps was inducted into the U.S. Army Regimental System . The activation of the Regiment marked the redesignation of several Transportation Corps training commands. The redesignation provided

7144-413: The type into the early 1930s. The DH.4 was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland as a light two-seat combat aircraft, intended to perform both day bomber and aerial reconnaissance missions. The intention was for it to be powered by the newly developed 160 hp (120 kW) Beardmore Halford Pullinger (BHP) engine. The DH.4 was developed in parallel to the rival Bristol Fighter . During August 1916,

7238-508: The type's production life, a number of alterations to the armaments, such as the ergonomics of the observer's Lewis gun and the installation of an additional Vickers gun, were implemented. A pair of DH.4s were outfitted with COW 37 mm guns for experimental purposes, but the war came to a close prior to firing trials being conducted. All armaments would typically be removed from those DH.4s that were used by civil operators, including ex-military aircraft that were sold on in great numbers following

7332-511: The underside of the tail area was covered by a 3mm plywood skin; this construction led to the fuselage being both strong and lightweight, heavily contributing to cross-bracing only being used for the four bays directly behind the rear cockpit. The nose of the aircraft was considerably longer than necessary, the cowling having been originally designed to accommodate the Beardmore Halford Pullinger (BHP) engine, rather than

7426-452: The upper wing. An unusual modification featuring on a small proportion of production DH.4s was the inversion of the engine, a design change that had been implemented in order to better accommodate the relatively-tall Ricardo-Halford-Armstrong (RHA) supercharged engine, which would otherwise unduly obstruct the pilot's forward field of view. The DH.4 was operated by a crew of two, who were accommodated in widely spaced cockpits, between which

7520-624: The uptake of the type by the RFC was accelerated due to a desire to launch retaliatory bombing raids upon Germany following such attacks having been conducted against the British mainland. While Russia had been an early customer for the DH.4, having ordered 50 of the type in September 1917, the Russian and British governments subsequently agreed to delay the former's deliveries, instead diverting those aircraft to RFC squadrons in France. As well as

7614-587: Was John Rolfe , who had departed England with his wife and child in 1609, with some very promising seeds for a different strain of tobacco which he hoped would prove more favorable to export from Virginia than had been the experience to date. He had been shipwrecked on Bermuda in the Sea Venture , lost his wife and child by this time, but still had the untried seeds. The turning point at Mulberry Island delivered Lord Delaware and businessman-farmer John Rolfe, two very different men, back to Jamestown, where they and

7708-594: Was a 400 hp (300 kW) Liberty L-12 and it was fitted with two forward-firing .30 in (7.62 mm) synchronized Marlin-Rockwell M1917 (a development of the Colt-Browning ) machine guns in the nose and two .30 in (7.62 mm) Lewis guns in the rear and could carry 322 lb (146 kg) of bombs. it could also be equipped with various radios like the SCR-68 for artillery spotting missions. The heavier engine reduced performance compared with

7802-819: Was bought by the Federal Government in 1918. During the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War in 1862, Fort Crafford on Mulberry Island anchored the southern end of the Warwick Line , a line of Confederate defensive works across the Virginia Peninsula extending to Yorktown on the north at the York River . On 7 March 1918, the Army bought Mulberry Island and the surrounding land for $ 538,000 as part of

7896-411: Was consolidated at Fort Eustis. The Base Realignment and Closure directives from the U.S. Congress , resulted in the U.S. Army Transportation School and Center moving to Fort Lee , Va. In 2010, Fort Eustis was merged with nearby Langley Air Force Base as Joint Base Langley-Eustis and its former sub-installation Fort Story was re-aligned as a Naval installation. Joint Base Langley Eustis gained

7990-401: Was established on the installation. The post was garrisoned by artillery and infantry units until 1931, when it became a federal prison, primarily for bootleggers during Prohibition . The repeal of Prohibition resulted in a prisoner decline and the post was taken over by various other military and non-military activities including a WPA camp that utilized some of the barracks on the post during

8084-504: Was inactivated as part of the Air Force's restructuring. On 15 December 2005, the 1st Fighter Wing 's 27th Fighter Squadron became the Air Force's first operational F-22 fighter squadron. The wing's complement of 40 F-22s, in the 27th and 94th FS reached Full Operational Capability on 12 December 2007. Langley Air Force Base was severely damaged by flooding due to the storm surge from Hurricane Isabel in September 2003 and again during

8178-486: Was joined with Fort Eustis to become Joint Base Langley–Eustis . To accomplish their mission, the support unit men and women of the 633d Air Base Wing at Langley are housed in the Mission Support Groups and Medical Group and support several tenant units: Operational squadrons of the 1st Operations Group are: (Tail Code: FF) The Wing is composed of the following units worldwide: Langley also hosts

8272-659: Was known in colonial times as Mulberry Island , and was first settled by English colonists shortly after Jamestown was established in 1607. An important event in Virginia's history occurred in the James River off Mulberry Island in the summer of 1610. Survivors of the ill-fated Third Supply mission from England and the Starving Time in the Colony had boarded ships intent on abandoning the floundering Colony of Virginia and were met off Mulberry Point by Lord Delaware with

8366-441: Was not initially adopted by American-built aircraft. The otherwise inferior DH.9 brought the pilot and observer closer together by placing the fuel tank in the usual place, between the pilot and the engine. Despite its success, numbers in service with the RFC actually started to decline from spring 1918, mainly due to a shortage of engines, and production switched to the DH.9, which turned out to be disappointing, being inferior to

8460-442: Was otherwise impassable. In 1971, the U.S. Army agreed to a land swap with Anheuser-Busch in return for a larger parcel which is located directly across Skiffe's Creek from Fort Eustis. Along with land previously owned by Colonial Williamsburg , the former Camp Wallace land became part of a massive development. Camp Abraham Eustis became Fort Eustis and a permanent military installation in 1923. In 1925 Eustis National Forest

8554-577: Was provided with a 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun mounted upon a Scarff ring . Production of the DH.4 was performed by a variety of companies beyond Airco themselves; these included F.W. Berwick and Co, Glendower Aircraft Company, Palladium Autocars, Vulcan Motor and Engineering, and the Westland Aircraft Works . By the end of production, a total of 1,449 aircraft (from orders for 1,700 aircraft) were constructed in Britain for

8648-439: Was reflagged as the 71st Transportation Battalion . The 2nd Battalion, 5th Training Brigade, Fort Dix, was reflagged as the 36th Transportation Battalion . The 5th Battalion, 4th Training Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood was reflagged as the 58th Transportation Battalion . These units were reflagged as part of the Army's parent regiment system. The regimental crest is inscribed with the Corps motto—Spearhead of Logistics—to symbolize

8742-466: Was to organize, train, equip and maintain combat-ready forces capable of rapid deployment to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime air defense. The arrival of Tactical Air Command and jet aircraft marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the field, and in January 1948 Langley Field officially became Langley Air Force Base . In January 1976, the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing

8836-528: Was transferred to Langley from MacDill Air Force Base in Florida with the mission of maintaining combat capability for rapid global deployment to conduct air superiority operations. To accomplish this mission, the 1st TFW was the first USAF operational wing to be equipped with the F-15 Eagle . On 1 June 1992, Langley became the headquarters of the newly formed Air Combat Command , as Tactical Air Command

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