United States Air
Force
is a military force of the United
States, under the Department of the Air Force,
responsible for air warfare, air defense, and the
development of military space research. The Secretary of
the United States Air Force, a civilian appointed by the
President, controls and directs the Air Force except for
combat operations, which are controlled by the Department
of Defense. The Air Force staff, headed by the Chief of
Staff, assists the Secretary and is responsible for
direction and control of the Air Force. As a member of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Air Force Chief of Staff
participates in joint planning and use of air power in
military operations at the Department of Defense level.
Important Dates in Air Force
History
| 1907 |
The Army set up an Aeronautical
Division in the Office of the Chief
Signal Officer. |
| 1909 |
The U.S. Army took delivery of
its first airplane, built by the Wright Brothers
at a cost of $30,000. |
| 1909 |
Lieutenants Frank P. Lahm and
Frederic E. Humphreys became the first U.S.
military pilots. |
| 1911 |
Congress appropriated the first
funds for aviation -- $125,000. |
| 1912 |
The Army flying school opened in
College Park, Maryland, with 14 flying officers
and 9 planes. |
| 1914 |
The Aviation Section of the
Signal Corps took charge of aviation operation
and training. |
| 1916 |
The First Aero Squadron began
operations with the American Punitive Expedition
on the Mexican border. |
| 1917 |
The First Aero Squadron arrived
in France during World War I. |
| 1918 |
Air Service pilots began the
first continuous airmail service, flying between
New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. |
| 1924 |
Air Service fliers completed the
first around-the-world flight. |
| 1926 |
Congress established the U.S.
Army Air Corps. |
| 1940 |
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
authorized 50,000 planes for the Army Air Corps. |
| 1941 |
Congress set up the Army Air
Forces. |
| 1945 |
A B-29
dropped the first
atomic bomb used in warfare, on Hiroshima,
Japan. |
| 1947 |
The United States Air Force was
created as a separate department. |
| 1947 |
Captain Charles E. Yeager
piloted an X-1 rocket-powered aircraft through
the sound barrier. |
| 1948 |
The Berlin Airlift began. |
| 1950 |
The U.S. Air Force was ordered
into action in Korea. |
| 1957 |
The Air Force successfully fired
its first intercontinental ballistic missile. |
| 1959 |
The United States Air
Force Academy graduated its first class. |
| 1968 |
The C-5 Galaxy jet transport,
the world's largest aircraft, made its first
flight. |
| 1971 |
Jeanne M. Holm became the first
woman in the Air Force to be promoted to the rank
of General. |
| 1976 |
Women were admitted to the U.S.
Air Force Academy for the first time. |
Official
USAF website: www.af.mil
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United
States Army Signal Corps
B-29 Superfortress
"Little
Boy"
United States Air Force
Academy
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