Captain Bee Rife Osborne: Kentucky National Guard’s First Military Aviator Posted on 05/21/202105/21/2021 by Justin Imel On May 18, 1918, the first American-built airplane took to the skis over the Romorantin Aerodrome outside of Paris, France, at its controls was a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, Captain Bee Rife Osborne. Share with Friends: