Just before the airship , ' Shenandoah ' started cross country . The giant ' Shenandoah ' left its mooring - mast at Lakehurst on the first part of its 7,000 mile trip to the Pacific coast . The photo shows Commander Zachary Lansdowne , who piloted the ship . Rear Admiral W A Moffett , Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics , who also took the trip , Commander Pierce , in charge of the Lakehurst Station , Commander Deem and Colonel Hall , Military . 15 October 1924