Please join the USS Hornet and the Navy as we celebrate 100 years of the Aircraft Carrier in the United States. We are going to highlight the incredible history of aircraft carriers in our Navy with presentations, discussions and exhibitions.  

Special Guests: Navy Admiral, Local Politicians, & Special Vendors.

Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 years ago, our nation’s aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, and maintained our enduring commitments worldwide. Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are preparing to deploy with the Air Wing of the Future that employs Manned-Unmanned Teaming and integrates fourth and fifth-generation aircraft with unmanned systems. 

History of USS Langley (CV-1): 

Originally built as a Collier (Coal carrying cargo ship) at Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo, Ca in 1911-12 

On March 20th, 1022, the USS Langley (CV-1) was commissioned. This started the age of the Aircraft Carrier in the United States.  

On April 20th, 1920, she was re-named the Langley, in honor of Samuel Pierpont Langley, an Astronomer, physicist, aeronautics pioneer and engineer 

On October 17th 1920, the first aircraft was launched from her decks (a Vought VE-7) 

On October 26th, 1920, the first aircraft landed on her deck (an Aeromarine 39B) 

On November 18th, the first catapult launch occurred 

Originally designed with a carrier pigeon house. Later turned into the XOs quarters 

Spent years training and experimenting with naval aviation 

In 1936-37, she was converted to a Seaplane Tender (AV-3) 

At the start of WW2 Langley was in Philippines. She steamed to Australia and performed ASW duties until assigned to bring P-40s to Java. On Feb 27th, she was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft and scuttled.