The Air Force: A Brief History and Overview
The Air Force is the youngest branch of the U.S. military, but it has a rich and storied history. From its origins in the Army Air Corps to its role in the space age, the Air Force has been at the forefront of aviation and innovation.
The Air Force was officially established on September 18, 1947, when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947. However, its roots can be traced back to the early days of flight, when the Army Signal Corps created an Aeronautical Division in 1907. The Aeronautical Division later became the Army Air Service, then the Army Air Corps, and finally the Army Air Forces during World War II.
During World War II, the Army Air Forces played a crucial role in the Allied victory, conducting strategic bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan, providing air support for ground troops, and developing new technologies such as radar and jet engines. After the war, as tensions rose with the Soviet Union and the Cold War began, it became clear that air power was essential for national security and global stability. The National Security Act of 1947 separated the Army Air Forces from the Army and created a new Department of the Air Force, headed by a Secretary of the Air Force and a Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
The Air Force has since grown into a formidable force, with more than 300,000 active duty personnel and over 5,000 aircraft. The Air Force’s mission is to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace. The Air Force operates in six core functions: air superiority, global strike, rapid global mobility, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), command and control (C2), and personnel recovery. The Air Force also maintains a nuclear deterrent capability with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and bomber aircraft.
The Air Force is constantly evolving to meet new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. The Air Force is developing new platforms such as the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, the B-21 Raider bomber, and the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. The Air Force is also expanding its presence and capabilities in space and cyberspace, recognizing them as vital domains for national defense and global security. The Air Force is committed to excellence in all that it does, guided by its core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.
The Air Force has a proud heritage of heroes and pioneers, who have shaped the history and culture of the service. Some of the most notable figures include:
- General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, the first and only five-star general of the Air Force, who led the Army Air Forces during World War II and oversaw the creation of the independent Air Force.
- General Carl A. Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force, who commanded the strategic bombing campaigns in Europe and Japan during World War II and established the foundations of the modern Air Force.
- General Curtis E. LeMay, who transformed the Strategic Air Command (SAC) into a powerful nuclear force and advocated for a strong air defense system during the Cold War.
- General Bernard A. Schriever, who pioneered the development of ballistic missiles and space systems, laying the groundwork for the Air Force’s space and missile programs.
- General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., the first African American four-star general in the U.S. military, who commanded fighter units in Korea and Vietnam and served as the commander of NORAD.
- Colonel Eileen Collins, the first female pilot and commander of a space shuttle, who flew four missions to space and participated in the rendezvous with the Mir space station and the deployment of the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
The Air Force also has a tradition of innovation and excellence in various fields of science, engineering, and art. Some of the most notable examples include:
- The Wright brothers, who invented the first successful airplane and conducted the first powered flight in 1903.
- Dr. Robert H. Goddard, who launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926 and is considered the father of modern rocketry.
- Dr. John von Neumann, who contributed to the development of nuclear weapons, game theory, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
- Dr. Wernher von Braun, who designed the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany and later became a key figure in the U.S. space program, developing the Saturn V rocket that launched Apollo 11 to the moon.
- Dr. Sally Ride, who became the first American woman in space in 1983 and later founded an educational company to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
- Major Brian Shul, who flew the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever built, and became a renowned photographer and author.