 In early 1920 , Streett made a five @-@ week , 4 @,@ 000 @-@ mile ( 6 @,@ 400 km ) survey flight to assess field conditions in eleven states . Then , at the suggestion of General Billy Mitchell who wished to strengthen the American air presence in Alaska Territory , Streett commanded the Alaskan Flying Expedition , an exploratory flight made by the Air Service between July 15 and October 20 , 1920 , from Mitchel Field on Long Island to Nome , Alaska . Dubbed the " Black Wolf Squadron " for the logo painted on the fuselage sides of their four De Havilland DH @-@ 4B biplanes , the eight men flew 8 @,@ 690 miles ( 14 @,@ 000 km ) in 110 hours of flying time , dividing the route into 15 legs across the northern United States and the western provinces of Canada , then north to Fairbanks , Alaska via Dawson City , Yukon , the flight reached Nome on August 23 , 1920 , after a flying time of 56 hours . An advance party scouted weather conditions , cut landing strips out of virgin forest in the legs north of Jasper , Alberta , and stocked fuel and provisions to replenish the flyers and their aircraft . 
