Aviation History: 116th Observation Squadron Traditional Cache
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Aviation History: 116th Observation Squadron
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Felts Field, home of the 116th Observation Squadron, is located a few hundred yards north of this location across the railroad track.
Aviation History: 116th Observation Squadron
The 116th Observation Squadron is one of the oldest National Guard flying units in the United States. The squadron began as a reorganization of the Army's 116th Aero Squadron that served in France in 1917-18 during World War I. In the spring of 1924 Washington state was offered one of the 19 Observation Squadrons authorized by the National Guard Bureau. A short time later the Adjutant General for the Washington National Guard, was traveling through Spokane and he made a simple proposal to the city fathers: Whichever city, Spokane, Seattle or Tacoma, could raise $10,000 dollars first for building hangars would get an Observation Squadron. The Spokane Chamber of Commerce contributed $5,000, the Spokane County Commissioners $2,500 and the Spokane City Commissioners gave another $2,500. Just as the General's westward train pulled out of the station and was approaching the city limits, a telegraph wire sent out ahead of the train stated, "The $10,000 has been raised. We want the squadron." Spokane beat out Seattle and Tacoma!
On August 6, 1924 the 116th Observation Squadron, Washington National Guard, received recognition. Major John T. "Jack" Fancher, a World War I veteran, would act as the units' first commander. By early 1925, construction of the new hangars began with the squadron members doing most of the labor. Federal funds purchased building materials and concrete. The headquarters was located on a portion of the Parkwater Airfield to the east of Spokane. The Guard designated its portion of air field as Camp Earl Hoisington. Lt. Hoisington, who died in 1918 in California, was one of the first aviators from Spokane to die in an airplane accident. In September 1927 the airfield was renamed Felts Field after Lt. James Felts, a pilot, in the 116th, who crashed and died the year before as he was landing at Parkwater Field.
Curtiss aircraft "Jenny" used by the 116th Observation Squadron.
The 116th soon received its first airplanes, three Curtiss JN-6-A2 "Jenny" aircraft. They arrived at the rail yards still in the crates; however, no funds were provided to transport or construct the planes for use. A few creative enlisted men managed to haul, assemble and fire up these planes with oil donated by local businesses and gasoline bought on Fancher's personal credit. On August 8, 1926, the unit was re-designated as the 116th Observation Squadron and expanded to include a photo section, medical detachment and transportation section. The 116th was the first National Guard unit in the USA to achieve full flight qualifications for every officer in the unit.
In the late 1930's the unit was tasked by the federal government to do an aerial survey of the Columbia River. These photos provided invaluable information to geologists and engineers for the site selection and construction of the Grand Coulee Dam.
The role and the location of the squadron has changed several times through the years. Today the 116th Observation Squadron lives on at Fairchild AFB as the 116th Air Refueling Squadron of the Washington Air National Guard.
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