Military Ballooning: The Spanish-American War After the Civil War, the U.S. did not conduct ballooning operations again until 1892, when the U.S. Army established a balloon section within the Signal Corps. When war with Spain broke out in 1898, the Army's "air arm" consisted of one hand-sewn balloon. Despite incredible difficulties, Lt. Col. Joseph Maxfield succeeded in getting the balloon to Cuba. The balloon made several ascents with different observers, including one in preparation for the famous charge up San Juan Hill. In 1899 the U.S. Army disbanded the balloon detachment and military aeronautics faded until 1907. Click here to return to the Lighter-than-Air Flight Overview.