Celebrating Aviation’s Importance in St. Mary’s
National Aviation Day is celebrated Aug. 19 each year to celebrate aviation’s importance. It was first proclaimed by President Franklin Roosevelt and has since been celebrated to honor the nation’s history and development of the aviation industry.
A ceremony held Aug. 2, 2016, by the St. Mary’s County commissioners focused on the importance of aviation in St. Mary’s County. Patuxent River Naval Air Station is at the forefront of cutting-edge aviation growth and continues to provide readiness for research, testing and evaluation, development, acquisition, fleet support, and engineering to the entire range of manned and unmanned naval aircraft, engines, avionics, aircraft support systems, and ship/shore/air operations.
St. Mary’s Commissioner President Randy Guy noted the county’s contribution to the aviation industry during the ceremony.
“St. Mary’s County Regional Airport serves as the base of operations for the Maryland State Police Medevac, Washington Hospital Center MedStar, Civil Air Patrol, Navy Annapolis Flight Center, Experimental Aircraft Association, several other general aviation service providers and has expanded to include the construction of new hangar space and a University of Maryland research and development facility for unmanned aircraft systems,” Mr. Guy said.
Another aviation event was held in June, showing the importance of the industry in St. Mary’s. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program hosted a Young Eagle’s rally June 18, giving young people an opportunity to experience the thrill of flight.
Also, the county is home to the new Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitors Center in Lexington Park. The museum allows visitors to experience the evolution of US naval aviation history and includes exhibits of naval aviation’s technology history, including simulators and interactive demonstrations of the aeronautical sciences.
At the ceremony Aug. 2, commissioners thanked the Airport Advisory Committee for its volunteer efforts over the past year, encouraging residents to take advantage of the opportunities in aviation in St. Mary’s County.
Sen. Steve Waugh presented a citation from the General Assembly to the St. Mary’s commissioners for continuing efforts to attract and promote aviation in the county.
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