Centerville-Washington History September Speaker Series

Monthly Speaker Series

Centerville-Washington History presents: “McCook Field: Dayton’s WWI Flying Field,” by Kevin Rusnak, Chief Historian of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center History Office, on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 at 7 pm at the RecPlex West auditorium, 965 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. 

Dayton’s Wright Brothers invented and flew the first successful airplane in 1903 and sold the world’s first military version to the US Army in 1909, yet America entered World War I in 1917 without a single combat-ready plane, woefully behind all of Europe. To fix that problem, the Army Air Service hurriedly built the Engineering Division at McCook Field, a little and little-known base just across from downtown Dayton. McCook Field became the “Silicon Valley” for aviation technology, inventing, developing, or funding the development of nearly every aspect of the modern airplane. Their decisions on which airplanes to buy for the Army after the war helped build the companies that are the mainstays of the modern American aviation industry – and sank the ones that are now footnotes in history. In this presentation, you’ll hear how McCook Field came to be, why it ended up in Dayton, how pervasive its influence was, and what happened to it in the end.

Kevin Rusnak has been the Chief Historian of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center History Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since January 2021. Mr. Rusnak graduated with a degree in History from the University of Dayton in 1995. He has written extensively on the history of aviation and aerospace technology, from the Wright Brothers to the space program, to current and emerging Air Force systems, with a specialization in Dayton’s critical role in this field.

This FREE presentation is open to the public. Reservations are not required. Donations welcome. Enjoy refreshments starting at 6:30 pm and the program from 7-8 pm in the auditorium. For more information, call Centerville-Washington History at 937-433-0123 or visit centervillewashingtonhistory.org.

Links & Tags

Washington Township Rec Plex

Centerville-Washington History September Speaker Series is taking place at Washington Township Rec Plex, which is located at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road in Dayton. Washington Township Rec Plex - Formerly the Washington Township Recreation. We offer a variety of programs included classes (Aquatic Lessons, Art, Fitness, Preschool, Sports Classes and Acting Lessons) along with Leagues and Camps.

Centerville-Washington History.

Centerville-Washington History - The mission of Centerville-Washington History is to connect the community to its heritage by collecting, preserving, interpreting and promoting the history of our local area.