September 18th marks the U.S. Air Force 71st birthday. On this day in 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act establishing a single Department of Defense and the Air Force as an independent service, equal to the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.
The introduction of the Act defines its purpose and importance, “to promote the national security by providing for a Secretary of Defense; for a National Military Establishment; for a Department of the Army, a Department of the Navy, and a Department of the Air Force; and for the coordination of the activities of the National Military Establishment with other departments and agencies of the Government concerned with national security.”
U.S. Air Force Origins to Today
Previously the Air Force didn’t exist as a separate, independent military organization and operated under the following designations.
- Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps, 1909
- Aviation Section, Signal Corps, 1914
- U.S. Army Air Service, 1918
- U.S. Army Air Corps, 1926
- U. S. Army Air Forces, 1941
Today the U.S. Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces in addition to supporting the recovery of troops in the field operating over 5,000 aircraft, 400 ICBMs and 170 satellites with more than 300,000 active duty, 140,000 civilian, and 170,000 Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel.
Join Skycore Aviation in saluting the U.S. Air Force as it celebrates its anniversary and continues to serve our country. Skycore Aviation is an international helicopter personnel services and UH-60 Black Hawk provider, Blackhawk 360. Our knowledge and experience enable Skycore to provide personnel and turnkey solutions for helicopter programs tailored to meet our customer’s operations, maintenance and training needs. To stay atop of the rotary wing industry, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.