UNCLASSIFIED//

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R 221721Z FEB 08
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
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MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/FEB// 
SUBJ/100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAVAL AVIATION// 
RMKS/1.  ON 8 MAY 1911, CAPTAIN WASHINGTON IRVING CHAMBERS, U.S.
NAVY, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF AVIATION, PREPARED THE REQUISITION FOR THE 
NAVYS FIRST AIRCRAFT TO BE PURCHASED FROM AVIATOR AND INVENTOR GLENN H. 
CURTISS.  SINCE THAT HISTORIC EVENT, NAVAL AIRCRAFT HAVE CHANGED 
MARKEDLY AND NAVAL AVIATION HAS BECOME A FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF U.S. 
NATIONAL SECURITY.  BEGINNING IN 2011 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON) 
WILL RECOGNIZE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAVAL AVIATION.
2.  IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT DURING THE CENTENNIAL YEAR OF NAVAL AVIATION, 
DON PERSONNEL, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, AND FRIENDS AND ALLIES OVERSEAS BE 
AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF 
NAVAL AVIATION AND BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH ITS RICH AND COLORFUL 
HERITAGE.
3.  THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS WILL DESIGNATE AN EXECUTIVE AGENT FOR 
DONS COMMEMORATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAVAL AVIATION.  THE 
EXECUTIVE AGENT SHALL BE CHARTERED TO ESTABLISH A CENTENNIAL OF NAVAL 
AVIATION (CONA) TASK FORCE WITH REPRESENTATION FROM DON ORGANIZATIONS 
TO VET AND SYNCHRONIZE ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT.
4.  THE CENTENNIAL OF NAVAL AVIATION AFFORDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
REAFFIRM IN THE MINDS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THEIR COUNTRYS SECURITY 
REQUIRES A STRONG NAVY AND MARINE CORPS.  IT WILL HONOR OUR LEGACY AND 
RECOGNIZE THE ON-GOING CONTRIBUTIONS OF NAVAL AVIATION TO OUR COUNTRYS 
GREATNESS.
5.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE 
NAVY.// 

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