First Flight Detachment

The First Flight Detachment was a pioneering aviation unit established by the United States Navy in 1911 at Annapolis, Maryland. Comprised of a small group of naval officers and enlisted men, the unit was tasked with exploring the use of aircraft for naval operations. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson, the Navy's first aviator, the detachment conducted early experiments in seaplane flight, takeoffs, and landings. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the development of naval aviation, leading to the formation of the first official naval air stations and the expansion of aviation roles within the U.S. Navy.