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34 <a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette">www.mca-marines.org/gazette</a> M a r i n e C o r p s G a z e t t e • M a y 2 0 0 9 IDEAS & ISSUES (AVIATION) O n 22 May 1912, Marine Corps 1stLt Alfred A. Cun- ningham reported to An- napolis, MD, for flight training, marking the birth of Marine Corps aviation. Since then, from the “Cactus Air Force” of Guadalcanal to the breakout of the 1st Marine Divi- sion (1st MarDiv) at Chosin Reservoir to the countless medevacs, troop inser- tions, and close air support missions in support of the war in Vietnam and Operations DESERT STORM, ENDUR- ING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, Marine aviation has been a key compo- nent of the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF). MajGen O.P. Smith, commander of the 1st MarDiv at Chosin, captured best the essence of the relationship between Marines on the ground and Marines in the air when he wrote, “A bond of under- standing has been established that will never be broken.” Beginning in January 2011 the Ma- rine Corps, in concert with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of naval aviation. The celebration will last throughout 2011 and extend into 2012—the 100th anniversary year. This historic occasion is an opportu- nity to celebrate the Marine Corps’ naval character alongside our Nation’s other Naval Services. It is also an op- portunity to celebrate the contribu- tions of the Marine Corps and Marine aviation to our Nation’s defense. 100 Years of Putting the ‘A’ in the MAGTF An upcoming commemoration by LtGen George J. Trautman 1stLt Alfred A. Cunningham, March 1914, Pensacola, FL. (Photo courtesy of the Defense Department, Ma- rine Corps 517396.) >LtGen Trautman is the Deputy Com- mandant, Aviation.