From 24 April 1914, aircraft from USS Mississippi and USS Birmingham supported American operations around Vera Cruz and Tampico for roughly seven weeks. Five floatplanes and flying boats took part, although sources differ slightly over the precise duration. Their role was recognizably naval: observing events ashore and reporting information to the fleet. Naval aircraft were already conducting operational reconnaissance before the First World War began.
Chapter · 31:29-32:22
Naval aircraft scout over Vera Cruz in 1914
US Navy floatplanes and flying boats were already gathering operational information off Mexico before the First World War began.