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- April 15, 1916 -

Aeroplane #43, Lieut. H. A. Dargue, pilot, Lieut. E.S.Gorrell, observer, on reconnaissance from Columbus, N.M., to Boca Grande - Pulpit Pass - Dublan - from Dublan to Namiquipa - from Namiquipa to Satevo. Total distance 415 miles, with two stops.
Three other flights made this date, between Satevo - San Antonio - and Namiquipa, carrying mail and despatches.
Aeroplane #42, dismantled, condemned and destroyed. Lower wings of this aeroplane placed on aeroplane #45, to replace wings damaged in ffight [[flight]] to Chihuahua City.

- April 16, 1916 -

Two flights made this date, between Satevo - San Antonio and Namiquipa, carrying mail and despatches. Division Headquarters moved to Namiquipa.

- April 17, 1916 -

Two flights made this date from Satevo to San Antonio and Namiquipa. Squadron Headquarters moved to Namiquipa.

- April 18, 1916 -

Two flights this date between Namiquipa and San Antonio, carrying mail and despatches.

- April 19, 1916 -

Aeroplane #43, Lieut. H.A.Dargue, pilot, Capt. R.E. Willis, observer, on reconnaissance flight from San Antonio to Chihuahua City, for the purpose of taking photographs and reconnoitering all roads and approaches to Chihuahua City. Roads in vicinity of Chihuahua City were reconnoitered and several photographs were taken. While reconnoitering roads in the hills west of Chihuahua City, the aeroplane motor failed, causing a forced landing in the hills. The aeroplane was completely wrecked. Lieut. Dargue escaped uninjured, Capt. Willis was pinned under the wreckage, sustained a severe scalp wound, and considerably bruised about the legs and ankles. As the aeroplane was completely wrecked, it was burned up, on the spot. The two aviators, with their personal equipment, started to walk to San Antonio, their nearest base, a distance of about 65 miles. After constant suffering and hardship, due to lack of food and water, they reached San Antonio, on April 21st. Staid at San Antonio until April 23, when they proceeded by automobile to Namiquipa, and reported the results of their reconnaissance to the Division Commander.

- April 20, 1916 -

Orders received for the Squadron to return to Columbus, N.M., to secure new aeroplanes. Of the eight aeroplanes taken into Mexico on March 19, 1916, but two were still in commission on this date. These two aeroplanes (nos.45 and 53) were in such condition as to be unsafe for futther [[further]] field service.
They were therefore flown to Columbus, this date, and ultimately condemned and destroyed.

The Squadron personnel and transportation arrived at Columbus, N.M., April 22, 1916.

Upon arrival at Columbus, the Squadron received four new aeroplanes, which had been purchased from the Curtiss Aeroplane Company.

From April 23 to April 29, the Squadron was employed in testing these four new aeroplanes. Practical tests in flight with these machines demonstrated their unsuitability for Mexican field service, and they were declared unsuitable for such service.

On May 1, 1916, two Curtiss aeroplanes (R-2 type 160 horsepower) were received. By May 25, twelve of this type had arrived.

During the months of May, June and July, constant troubles and difficulties were encountered with defective propellers, defective construction in aeroplanes and defective motor parts.

The propeller question was the most vital. Propellers were received from manufacturers all over the United States, and sent to Columbus to be tested.
To do this work the Squadron constructed a motor and propeller testing stand for testing all motors and propellers received.