The Regional Chapter of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society (VAHS) will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 16 at the Pilot House Restaurant, 2737 Greys Point Road, Topping. The program will include a presentation regarding the history of the first 100 years of Langley Air Force Base in Hampton.
Guest speakers will include retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffery Hood and Alton Dunham, deputy director of public affairs, 633rd Air Base Wing Joint Base Langley Ft. Eustis.
The primary mission of Langley Air Force Base is to support the rapid deployment of U.S. air assets and maintain air superiority in all conflicts for the U.S. and its allies, reported VAHS liaison George A. Galo. This portion of the base’s mission has remained relatively unchanged for close to a century.
The base was originally constructed prior to U.S. involvement in World War I and was used as a balloon common station and an airfield. The presentation will review the many contributions to aviation during its first 100 years, including serving as a vital training area for development of the country’s superior space exploration program, said Galo.