U. S. Marine Corps Observation Balloon Basket

This observation balloon basket was employed by the U.S. Marine Corps during the period, 1917-1929. Assuming that they would need observation balloons operating in conjunction with artillery units, the Marines began lighter-than-air training in Philadelphia, PA, early in 1917. A year later, a balloon company was formed at a new Marine base established at Quantico, VA, operating two free balloons for training and two Caquot kite balloons of the type then in use for artillery spotting on the Western Front. Marine artillery units, and their attached balloons, did not go overseas during WW I, and the company was disbanded in July 1919. A Marine Corps observation balloon squadron ZK-1 was established at Quantico in August 1924, and remained in service until deactivated in 1929, by which time it had become clear that observation balloons were a thing of the past.