American Airmen, Breaking Barriers Since 1947

Happy birthday to 70 years of airpower and innovation to the Airmen of United States Air Force. Since 1947, the mission of the Air Force has been to Fly, Fight, and Win in air, space, and cyberspace. With aim to remain elite through a rich history and clear vision, Airmen pursue their mission with excellence and integrity to become leaders, innovators, and warriors. This credence has allowed the U.S. Air Force to consistently break barriers. The first decade of their existence helped showcase barriers the Air Force has overcome and positioned them for a lifetime of supreme success in the air, on the ground, and at the sea.

On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager piloted the rocket propelled Bell Aircraft XS-1 through the sound barrier – propelling the Force’s future in air superiority. That breakthrough helped establish the understanding and importance of velocity while also ensuring humans and aircraft frames could operate at high speeds. The battle for air superiority was berthed and the end of propeller-driven fighters was becoming eminent with the emerging jet aircraft. This became very clear that prop planes was a thing of the past after losing the advantage in the sky to North Korea at the start of the Korean War in 1951, vastly due to the superior MiG-15 aircraft. Air Force responded with the F-86 Sabre, which was similar in speed and maneuverability to the MiG but had a better gun platform.

In the infancy of Air Force history, nuclear challenges began to rise as concerns for nuclear weapons was now a possible threat. Secretary of Defense Charles Wilson assigned the task of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles to the Air Force in 1956. The service responded swiftly, activating their first ICBM within a year’s time. The first launch of the Atlas ICBM was less than a month later and was able to travel 500 miles, effectively hitting its target. Years later on September 9, 1959, a newer and more improved Atlas ICBM was fired from Vandenberg Air Force Base and traveled 4,300 miles declaring its operation effective and also established the ground component of the nuclear triad.

The Air Force changed the way the world thought of military personnel and led the charge in the acceptance of diversity within the Armed Forces. Making their branch of service the first to plan for racial integration before former President Truman’s executive order desegregated the U.S. military. The new service also saw great importance in breaking the gender barrier, being the first branch to allow women in the Air Force.

It is safe to say that the first decade in Air Force history helped establish their heritage of innovation, teamwork, and breaking barriers. The milestones they reached in a short duration since their creation is remarkable. We want to wish the U.S. Air Force another 70 years of innovation, teamwork, and breaking barriers!