Although its heritage dates back to August 1, 1907 when the U.S. Army Signal Corps first established an aeronautical division for military aviation, the U.S. Air Force became a separate military service 68 years ago today when President Harry S. Truman signed the executive order while flying aboard his Douglas C-54 Skymaster presidential aircraft, The Independence.
As part of the total force that is capable of preserving the peace and security of the Unites States, the U.S. Air Force was formed as a separate branch of the military under the National Security Act of 1947, making it the most recent branch of the U.S. military to be formed.
more…