What event is recognized as the start of U.S. military aviation?

The formation of the Aeronautical Division of the Army Signal Corps in 1907 is recognized as the start of U.S. military aviation because it marked the formal acknowledgment by the U.S. military of the significance of aviation and its potential for military operations. This division was responsible for the development and management of military aeronautics and began the process of integrating flying capabilities into military strategy.

This event set the foundation for future U.S. military aviation initiatives, including aircraft development, pilot training, and overall aviation policy. It represented a shift in military doctrine, emphasizing the importance of air power in modern warfare. The establishment of the Aeronautical Division laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements in military aviation, leading to the eventual creation of the Air Force and more systematic approaches to aerial tactics and operations.

The other options reflect important milestones in military aviation history but do not represent the initial establishment of military aviation in the U.S. The creation of the Air Force occurred several decades later and was a result of earlier developments, while the opening of the first military aviation school in 1912 and the collaboration with the Wright Brothers were significant achievements but were built upon the groundwork laid by the formation of the Aeronautical Division.