Today marks the 78th birthday of the United States Air Force. Conceived in World War I and born from the Army Signal Corp two years after World War II, the
Air Force was established through the National Security Act on September 18, 1947.
The birth of air combat showed the ability to not only see over the next hill, but to impact the enemy beyond a depth rarely imagined by those operating in
the other two domains. Up until then, the roles and missions associated with the services were defined. The Army fought on land and the Navy and Marines
concentrated on seaborne operations. The collective actions, activities and interests seldom crossed.
In between World War I and World War II the services fully developed and invested in their aviation arms. By the time World War II began, clear lines had been established that ended demarcation. The capabilities of the air domain were boundless and by the end of the war, most senior leaders felt that the United States should make the Air Force a separate service.
Though by far the youngest of the four military branches within the Department of Defense, the Air Force crossed the boundaries of, and directly impacted the success of, all the other branches. The Air Force was organized along the same missions it flew during World War II. Long-range bombers, fighters, and airlift assets would be assembled into four components: Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, Air Defense Command, and the Military Air Transport Service. That would change though as the Air Force took on more missions.
In 1958, Intercontinental Ballistic missiles would be added to the Air Forces arsenal and in 1959 the first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite was placed into orbit. Over the next 60 years, more satellites would be launched into space with each branch of service establishing their own specific navigation, communication and intel orbits.
On December 20, 2019 the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law creating a fifth branch of service.
The Space Force, which would become the first new branch of the armed forces in 73 years.
The Space Force will have an elder sibling there to make those first steps great ones.
Today marks the 78th birthday of the United States Air Force. Conceived in World War I and born from the Army Signal Corp two years after World War II, the
Air Force was established through the National Security Act on September 18, 1947.
The birth of air combat showed the ability to not only see over the next hill, but to impact the enemy beyond a depth rarely imagined by those operating in
the other two domains. Up until then, the roles and missions associated with the services were defined. The Army fought on land and the Navy and Marines
concentrated on seaborne operations. The collective actions, activities and interests seldom crossed.
In between World War I and World War II the services fully developed and invested in their aviation arms. By the time World War II began, clear lines had been established that ended demarcation. The capabilities of the air domain were boundless and by the end of the war, most senior leaders felt that the United States should make the Air Force a separate service.
Though by far the youngest of the four military branches within the Department of Defense, the Air Force crossed the boundaries of, and directly impacted the success of, all the other branches. The Air Force was organized along the same missions it flew during World War II. Long-range bombers, fighters, and airlift assets would be assembled into four components: Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, Air Defense Command, and the Military Air Transport Service. That would change though as the Air Force took on more missions.
In 1958, Intercontinental Ballistic missiles would be added to the Air Forces arsenal and in 1959 the first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite was placed into orbit. Over the next 60 years, more satellites would be launched into space with each branch of service establishing their own specific navigation, communication and intel orbits.
On December 20, 2019 the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law creating a fifth branch of service.
The Space Force, which would become the first new branch of the armed forces in 73 years.
The Space Force will have an elder sibling there to make those first steps great ones.
Happy birthday United States Air Force !