An airman stands on one of six aircraft used by the “Punitive Expeditionary Force” sent
An airman stands on one of six aircraft used by the “Punitive Expeditionary Force” sent across the Mexican border to capture Poncho Villa after his raid on Columbus, NM on March 9, 1916.The aircraft was one of 13 that comprised the fledgling US air force at the time.In addition to its mission to capture Poncho Villa (which was unsuccessful) the expedition provided a training ground for equipment, logistics and organization in preparation for America’s potential entrance into the war that raged in Europe.After almost a year of fruitless pursuit, the 10,000-man Expeditionary force was withdrawn from Mexico -- source link
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