On May 22, 1912, Marine Corps First Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham reported to Annapolis, Maryland, for flight training, marking the birth of Marine Corps Aviation. The operation of aircraft from Navy ships was a revolutionary step in U.S. military history which set the stage for innovations such as the inclusion of aviation in the combined arms concept, the utilization of the helicopter for troop transport, and the development of an all- Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aviation force.
