Columbus, New Mexico, and Camp Furlong preserve the scene of Pancho Villa’s March 9, 1916, raid and the U.S. response that followed. During the attack, Camp Furlong was the headquarters of the 13th U.S. Cavalry, and Lt. Lucas became known for setting up machine guns in town and helping drive the raiders back into Mexico. The raid quickly turned the post into a major base for General John J. Pershing’s Punitive Expedition, eventually holding more than 5,000 troops. Columbus also became the site of the first tactical military airfield in the United States, linking the district to border conflict, early military aviation, and preparations before World War I.