Timeline of US Navy airship units (pre-WWII)

This timeline details the establishment, designation changes, and significant events for US Navy airship units prior to the United States' entry into World War II (December 7, 1941). The focus is on organizational units, not individual airships, unless the two are inextricably linked.

1915

• July 12, 1915: The Navy’s first airship, the DN-1, is delivered. While technically not a unit, its arrival marks the practical beginning of naval aviation's lighter-than-air branch.

1917

• April 6, 1917: The United States declares war on Germany, entering World War I. This leads to a rapid expansion of the Navy's airship program for coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
• June 1917: Initial efforts are focused on establishing training and operational airship facilities.
• Lighter-than-Air Stations: Several Lighter-than-Air Stations (LTA) are established along the Atlantic coast, these acted as operational bases and training facilities. Key locations include: Akron, Ohio (Goodyear), Hampton Roads, Virginia; Cape May, New Jersey; Rockaway, New York; and Key West, Florida.

1918

• Airship Patrol Units: Airship patrol units are formed at the various Lighter-than-Air Stations. These units operate small, non-rigid airships, primarily for coastal patrol and anti-submarine duties. Specific unit designations are generally not documented in a consistent manner during this early period. The focus was on the station itself, not numbered squadrons.

1919 - 1921

• Post-War Reorganization: Following World War I, the Navy re-evaluates its airship program. Focus shifts from small coastal patrol airships to larger, rigid airships capable of transoceanic flight.

1921

• ZR-2 (R-38) Accident: The ZR-2, built by the British for the US Navy, crashes during a test flight in England before delivery. This disaster temporarily delays the Navy's rigid airship program.

1922

• NAS Lakehurst Commissioned: Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, is commissioned as the primary base for the Navy's rigid airship program.

1923

• ZR-1 Shenandoah Commissioned: The ZR-1 Shenandoah, the first rigid airship built in the United States, is commissioned. Its crew forms the core of the operational expertise for future rigid airship operations. The Shenandoah's crew essentially functioned as the first dedicated rigid airship unit.

1924

• Squadron Organization Considered: Discussions begin within the Navy regarding the formal establishment of dedicated airship squadrons.

1926

• September 3, 1925: The ZR-1 Shenandoah is destroyed in a thunderstorm over Ohio.

1928

• ZR-3 Los Angeles (ex-LZ 126) in Service: Although delivered in 1924 as war reparations, the ZR-3 Los Angeles continues in service, primarily for training and experimental purposes. Its crew provides essential experience and continuity for the rigid airship program.

1929

• Building of Akron and Macon: Construction begins on the ZRS-4 Akron and ZRS-5 Macon, two very large rigid airships designed as flying aircraft carriers.

1931

• ZRS-4 Akron Commissioned: The ZRS-4 Akron is commissioned.

1933

• April 4, 1933: The ZRS-4 Akron crashes in a storm off the coast of New Jersey.

1933 - 1935

• ZRS-5 Macon in Service: The ZRS-5 Macon is commissioned and operates for a short period, conducting fleet exercises and experiments with its internal aircraft bay and parasite fighter aircraft.

1935

• February 12, 1935: The ZRS-5 Macon crashes off the coast of California. With the loss of both the Akron and the Macon, the US Navy suspends its rigid airship program.

1936 - 1941

• Focus on Non-Rigid Airships: The Navy continues to operate a small number of non-rigid airships (blimps) for coastal patrol and training. These blimps operate from existing Lighter-than-Air Stations, but no formal, numbered airship squadrons are established. The primary focus is on anti-submarine warfare training and experimentation. Small blimp detachments are deployed to various coastal locations as needed.
• K-Class Blimps: The K-class blimps become the mainstay of the Navy's lighter-than-air operations during this period.