Air Force Formation

Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell

General Mitchell was a pioneer in terms of establishing the idea of an independent Air Force branch of the military. He proved the effectiveness of aircraft by sinking the battleship OstfrieslandHowever, due to his outspokenness and public criticism of his superiors, he was Court Martialed for insubordination.

National Security Act of 1947

Established the Air Force as its own separate branch, headed by Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF), and led by the Air Force Chief of Staff (CSAF)

Department of Defense

In charge of all branches of the US Military, established under NSA 1947

Army Signal Corps

Division of the army for various signal balloons and other airborne objects since the Civil War

P-51 Mustang

A long range fighter plane and escort that allowed for more sustainable assaults on the Axis powers

Air Service, Armistice Day

740 Aircraft, 185 Squadrons pre-Armistice Day. Rapid demobilization led to only 22 squadrons post-war.

Air Service during WWI

756 planes downed and 298 destroyed, 76 balloons downed and 48 destroyed

Bombing the Germans 1942-43

Bombing campaigns start during this time, but sustained heavy losses due to a lack of fighter escorts

Francisco "Pancho" Villa

Invaded Columbus, NM, and faced retaliation from the US Army. This was the first time planes were used in military conflict, but mostly for observation

Blitzkrieg

Lighting war used by the Germans to quickly decimate forces from the air and invade the remaining territory by foot

Air Force Today

One of two combat-ready branches, has around 300,000 Airmen

Air Corps

Organization under the US Army in charge of all aircraft during the Interwar Period

JN-3 Jenny

Plane used during the Villa invasion, however, it was very weak and was unable to find Villa

Air Service

President Wilson transferred aviation authority to Air Service in 1918. Prior to 1918, the Air Service was in poor shape, only had 55 planes

National Defense Act of 1916

Provided a Signal Officer Reserve Corps, emphasizing the importance of the Signal Corps

President Roosevelt

Stated the importance of having aircraft for winning a possible future war that the United States could get involved in, largely in response to growing dictatorships. (1936)

Kitty Hawk

Wright brothers' first airplane flight in 1903

Army Air Forces

became very important at the start of WWII in 1939

Aeronautical Division

established in 1907 as a division of the Signal Corps to be in charge of all aircraft in the military

Air Corps Tactical School

taught air force doctrine, principles of high-altitude daylight, and strategic bombing, as well as other useful information for air power

Air War Plans Division

used Tactical School training to help prepare strategic attacks on Axis Powers