1941: The United States Army Air Forces is formed, leading to, by the end of World War II, a largely autonomous force.
June 19, 1944
1944: BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA. Through 20 June, American pilots shoot down 476 Japanese aircraft in “The Marianas Turkey Shoot.” The US loses 130 […]
June 18, 1965
1965: The 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, Bien Hoa AB receives the Presidential Unit Citation. This is the first USAF unit so honored […]
June 17, 2003
2003: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSES. USAF award 34 aircrew members from Charleston AFB the DFC for actions in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Eight recipients receive the […]
May 31, 1956
1956: The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Turner AFB GA receives the first USAF RB-57D (number 53-3973), the reconnaissance version of the British-designed B-57 Canberra.
May 30, 1912
1912: Wilbur Wright dies of typhoid fever at the age of 45 at Dayton.
May 29, 1966
1966: The Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service observes its 20th anniversary. In this period, the ARRS rescued more than 12,000 people throughout the world.
May 28, 1959
1959: A Rhesus monkey, Able, and a squirrel monkey, Miss Baker, are the first primates to be launched and recovered successfully from space. They were […]
May 27, 1913
1913: Under General Order No. 39, Army officers who qualified as military aviators receive a Military Aviator’s Certificate and badge. At the time, 24 officers […]
May 24, 1972
1972: President Nixon and USSR Premier Kosygin sign an agreement in Moscow for use of outer space for peaceful purposes.