"WVir* "Force

Fiftieth AnniveBäy;
Commemorative Edition

The Cold War and Be

Chronology of the
United States Air F

«4M

Frederick J. Shaw Jr.

Timothy Warnock
The
The Cold
Cold War
War and
and Beyond
Beyond
Chronology
Chronology ofof the
the
United
United States
States Air
Air Force,
Force,
1947-1997
1947-1997

Frederick
Frederick J.
J. Shaw
Shaw Jr.
Jr.
Timothy
Timothy Warnock
Warnock

Air
Air Force
Force History
History and
and Museums
Museums Program
Program
in
in association
association with
with
Air
Air University
University Press
Press

1997
1997
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 Contents
Contents
Page
Page

FOREWORD
FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . uv

1947-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1947-56 11

1957-66
1957-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
19

1967-76
1967-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
45

1977-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1977-86 81
81

1987-97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
1987-97 117

iii
tu
 Foreword
Foreword
This
This chronology
chronology commemorates
commemorates the the golden
golden anniversary
anniversary
of the establishment of
of the establishment of the
the United States Air Force (USAF)
United States Air Force (USAF)
as
as an
an independent
independent service
service.. Dedicated
Dedicated to to the
the men
men andand
women
women of of the USAF past,
the USAF past, present,
present, and
and future,
future, it
it records
records
significant
significant events
events and
and achievements
achievements from
from 1818 September
September
1947
1947 through
through 9 9 April
April 1997
1997..
Since
Since its its establishment,
establishment, the the USAF
USAF has has played
played aa
significant
significant rolerole in
in the
the events
events that
that have
have shaped
shaped modern
modern
history. Initially, the
history. Initially, the reassuring
reassuring drone
drone ofof USAF
USAF transports
transports
announced
announced the the aerial
aerial lifeline
lifeline that
that broke
broke the
the Berlin
Berlin blockade,
blockade,
the Cold War's first test of wills. In the tense decades that
the Cold War's first test of wills. In the tense decades that
followed,
followed, the USAF deployed
the USAF deployed a a strategic
strategic force
force of
of nuclear-
nuclear-
capable intercontinental bombers and missiles that deterred
capable intercontinental bombers and missiles that deterred
open
open armed
armed conflict
conflict between
between the the United
United States
States and
and the
the
Soviet Union. .
Soviet Union During the Cold War's deadly flash, points,
During the Cold War's deadly flash points,
USAF
USAF jets
jets roared
roared through
through thethe skies
skies of
of Korea
Korea and
and Southeast
Southeast
Asia,
Asia, wresting
wresting air air superiority
superiority from from their
their communist
communist
opponents
opponents and and bringing
bringing airair power
power toto the
the support
support ofof friendly
friendly
ground
ground forces
forces.. In
In the
the great
great global
global competition
competition forfor the
the hearts
hearts
and minds of the Third World, hundreds of USAF
and minds of the Third World, hundreds of USAF
humanitarian
humanitarian missions
missions relieved
relieved victims
victims ofof war,
war, famine,
famine, and
and
natural disaster. The Air Force performed similar disaster
natural disaster. The Air Force performed similar disaster
relief
relief services
services on on the
the home
home front.
front. Over
Over Grenada,
Grenada, Panama,
Panama,
and
and Libya,
Libya, thethe USAF
USAF participated
participated in in key
key contingency
contingency
actions
actions that
that presaged
presaged post-Cold
post-Cold War War operations.
operations.
In
In the
the aftermath
aftermath of of the
the Cold
Cold War
War the
the USAF
USAF became
became
deeply
deeply involved
involved inin constructing
constructing aa new
new world
world order.
order. As
As the
the
Soviet Union disintegrated, USAF flights succored the
Soviet Union disintegrated, USAF flights succored the
populations
populations of of the newly independent
the newly states.. Blazing
independent states Blazing across
across
the
the Iraqi
Iraqi skies,
skies, Desert
Desert Storm's
Storm's aerial
aerial assault
assault paved
paved the
the way
way
for
for the
the liberation
liberation of
of Kuwait
Kuwait and
and established
established the the leadership
leadership
of the
of the United
United States
States in
in an
an emerging global coalition.
emerging global coalition. Since
Since
then, the USAF has shielded Iraqi Kurds, relieved
then, the USAF has shielded Iraqi Kurds, relieved
populations
populations on on the
the verge
verge of
of starvation,
starvation, supported
supported the the
restoration of democracy in Haiti, and reestablished the
restoration of democracy in Haiti, and reestablished the
authority
authority of of United
United Nations
Nations peacekeepers
peacekeepers in in the
the former
former
Republic of Yugoslavia .
Republic of Yugoslavia.

V
 Tremendous technological changes
Tremendous technological changes havehave accompanied
accompanied
the USAF's first 50 years.
the USAF's first 50 years. Supersonic
Supersonic jets
jets swiftly
swiftly succeeded
succeeded
the propeller-driven relics of World War II, only to
the propeller-driven relics of World War II, only to be
be
replaced
replaced byby faster
faster andand more
more complex progeny.. In-flight
complex progeny In-flight
refueling
refueling extended
extended the the range
range and
and capabilities
capabilities of tactical and
of tactical and
strategic aircraft . Advanced imaging
strategic aircraft. Advanced imaging systems
systems installed in
installed in
high-altitude jets, unpiloted drones, and orbiting satellites
high-altitude jets, unpiloted drones, and orbiting satellites
have enhanced the
have enhanced the effectiveness
effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance
of aerial reconnaissance..
The
The advent
advent of of the
the intercontinental
intercontinental ballistic
ballistic missile
missile
introduced a new and more terrible dimension to strategic
introduced a new and more terrible dimension to strategic
deterrence.
deterrence. Over
Over the same period
the same period the
the USAF
USAF advanced
advanced intointo
space,
space, as
as its people launched
its people launched thethe first
first satellites,
satellites, explored
explored
the
the moon,
moon, and
and crewed
crewed space
space shuttles
shuttles..
The
The USAF's
USAF's first
first 50
50 years
years also
also spanned
spanned a a period
period of of
profound change in the society of the
profound change in the society of the United
United States-
States—
change
change that
that has
has influenced
influenced thethe service's composition and
service's composition and
policies
policies.. Opportunities
Opportunities for for professional
professional advancement
advancement have
have
opened
opened to to all.
all. Participating
Participating in in the
the full
full range
range of
of military
military
specialties,
specialties, minorities
minorities and
and women
women now now occupy
occupy some
some of
of the
the
highest
highest command positions. The
command positions. The diverse
diverse composition
composition ofof the
the
modern
modern USAF,
USAF, coupled
coupled with
with open opportunity, has
open opportunity, has paid
paid off
off
in greater internal cohesion
in greater internal cohesion and
and effectiveness
effectiveness and the
and the fresh
fresh
perspectives required to
perspectives required to successfully
successfully pursue pursue global
global
engagement
engagement far far into
into the
the twenty-first
twenty-first century.
century.
Taken
Taken individually,
individually, each
each entry
entry inin this
this volume
volume marks
marks a a
single, notable moment
single, notable moment in in the
the evolution
evolution of of an
an illustrious
illustrious
heritage
heritage.. In the aggregate,
In the aggregate, the
the entries
entries tell a remarkable
tell a remarkable
story
story of
of aa powerful
powerful military
military institution's
institution's adaptation
adaptation toto 50
50
years
years of
of political,
political, technological,
technological, and
and social
social change.
change.

DR.
DR. FREDERICK
FREDERICK J. J. SHAW
SHAW JR.
JR.
Chief, Research
Chief, Research Division
Division
Air
Air Force
Force Historical
Historical Research
Research Agency
Agency

Vi
VI
1947
1047
16 September:
18 September: W. W. Stuart
Stuart Symington
Symington is is swom
sworn in in as
as the
the first
first
Secretary of the Air Force. Effective date of transfer of air
Secretary of the Air Force. Effective date of transfer of air
activities from
activities from Army
Army to
to new Department of
new Department of the Air Force.
the Air Force.
25 September:
25 President Harry
September: President Harry S.
S. Truman names Gen
Truman names Gen Carl A.
Carl A.
Spaatz as
Spaatz as the
the first U.S. Air
first U.S. Force (USAF)
Air Force (USAF) chief
chief of staff.
of staff.
26 September:: Defense
26 September Defense Secretary
Secretary James
James W.
W. Forrestal orders
Forrestal orders
the transfer
the transfer of
of personnel,
personnel, bases,
bases, and
and materiel
materiel from
from the
the
Army to the new Department of the Air Force .
Army to the new Department of the Air Force.
14 October : The
14 October: The first faster-than-sound flight
first faster-than-sound flight is
is made
made byby
Capt Charles E. Yeager at Muroc Air Base (AB), California,
Capt Charles E. Yeager at Muroc Air Base (AB), California,
in a
in a rocket-powered
rocket-powered USAFUSAF research
research plane,
plane, Bell
Bell XS-1 rocket
XS-1 rocket
ship . Captain
ship. Captain Yeager
Yeager wins
wins the
the Mackay Trophy for
Mackay Trophy for the most
the most
meritorious
meritorious flight of the
flight of the year
year..

°w . :
, ■ ■ •■ - -■ ••-" -■■■
__T

The rocket-powered Bell X-1 became the first aircraft to break the sound
barrier, with Capt Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager at the controls. The X-1
shown here is in its first powered flight, with Chalmers "Slick" Goodlin as
pilot, shortly after having been dropped from its B-29 mother ship.
24
24 November
November:: The
The first
first live
live Aerobee
Aerobee rocket
rocket fires
fires to
to a
a height
height of
of
190,000
190,000 feet
feet from
from White
White Sands
Sands Proving Ground, New
Proving Ground, New Mexico.
Mexico.
The
The Aerobee
Aerobee isis a
a liquid-fueled
liquid-fueled missile
missile used
used toto research
research
atmospheric
atmospheric conditions
conditions upup to
to 70
70 miles
miles above
above the
the earth.
earth.
17
17 December:
December: A A prototype
prototype B-47
B-47 Stratojet
Stratojet medium
medium bomber
bomber
flies
flies for
for the
the first
first time
time at
at Seattle,
Seattle, Washington
Washington.. Operational
Operational
variants
variants of
of this
this prototype
prototype have
have aa combat
combat radius
radius in
in excess
excess of
of
1,500 nautical miles and an average cruise speed in excess
1,500 nautical miles and an average cruise speed in excess
of
of 400
400 miles
miles per
per hour
hour (mph)
(mph)..

1948
1948
30
30 January: Orville Wright
January: Orville Wright dies
dies in
in Dayton,
Dayton, Ohio,
Ohio, at
at age
age 76.
76.
20
20 February
February:: The
The Strategic
Strategic Air
Air Command
Command receives
receives its
its first
first
B-50
B-50 Superfortress
Superfortress bomber.
bomber. Equipped
Equipped for
for in-flight
in-flight refueling,
refueling,
the
the B-50 is an
B-50 is an improved
improved version
version of
of the
the B-29 with larger
B-29 with larger
engines and a
engines and a taller
taller tail
tail fin
fin and
and rudder.
rudder.
26
26 April:
April: The
The U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force
Force becomes
becomes the
the first
first service
service to
to
plan
plan for
for racial
racial integration,
integration, anticipating
anticipating President
President Truman's
Truman's
executive order to be issued in July 1948 .
executive order to be issued in July 1948.
11 June:
June: U .S. Navy
U.S. and Air
Navy and Air Force air transport
Force air transport systems
systems
consolidate
consolidate into
into Military
Military Air
Air Transport
Transport Service
Service (MATS)
(MATS) under
under
the
the United
United States
States Air
Air Force
Force..
12
12 June:
June: Congress
Congress passes
passes the
the Women's
Women's Armed
Armed Service
Service
Integration Act, establishing Women in the Air Force (WAF)
Integration Act, establishing Women in the Air Force (WAF)..
16 June:: The
16 June The U .S . Air
U.S. Air Force
Force appoints
appoints Col
Col Geraldine
Geraldine P.
P. May
May
as
as the
the first
first WAF
WAF director.
director.
26 June:
26 June: TheThe Berlin
Berlin airlift
airlift (Operation
(Operation Vittles)
Vittles) begins
begins as
as a
a
response
response to to a
a ground
ground blockade
blockade imposed
imposed by
by the
the Soviet
Soviet Union
Union
on Berlin .
on Berlin.
26
26 June
June:: SAC'S
SAC's 7th
7th Bombardment
Bombardment Group
Group receives
receives the
the first
first
operational B-36 Peacemaker heavy bomber. With a length
operational B-36 Peacemaker heavy bomber. With a length
of
of 160
160 feet and wings
feet and wings spanning 230 feet,
spanning 230 feet, the
the Peacemaker
Peacemaker is is
the world's largest bomber with intercontinental capability .
the world's largest bomber with intercontinental capability.
20 July:: Sixteen
20 July F-80 Shooting
Sixteen F-80 Shooting Stars
Stars reach
reach Scotland
Scotland from
from
Selfridge
Selfridge Field,
Field, Michigan,
Michigan, after
after nine
nine hours,
hours, 20
20 minutes,
minutes,

3
 Alii«:

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U.S. Air Force C-47s await unloading at Templehof Air Base, Germany. The
USAF maintained an airborne lifeline of food and fuel to West Berliln during
the Berlin airlift in 1948-49.

accomplishing
accomplishing the
the first
first west-to-east
west-to-east transatlantic
transatlantic flight
flight by
by
jet planes.
jet planes.
23
23 July
July:: The
The Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Transport
Transport Service
Service is
is ordered
ordered to
to
establish
establish Airlift
Airlift Task
Task Force
Force with
with headquarters
headquarters inin Germany
Germany
for relief to Berlin . Maj Gen William H. Tunner is named to
for relief to Berlin. Maj Gen William H. Tunner is named to
command
command TaskTask Force
Force operations.
operations.
30
30 July
July:: The
The USAF
USAF takes
takes delivery
delivery of
of its
its first
first jet
jet bomber,
bomber, the
the
North
North American
American Aviation
Aviation B-45A
B-45A Tornado.
Tornado. This
This light
light bomber
bomber
is
is aa tactical
tactical aircraft
aircraft and
and later
later will
will be
be the
the first USAF aircraft
first USAF aircraft
to
to carry
carry aa tactical
tactical nuclear
nuclear bomb
bomb..
6
6 August: The first
August: The first B-29
B-29 Superfortresses
Superfortresses to to circumnavigate
circumnavigate the
the
globe
globe land
land near
near Tucson,
Tucson, Arizona,
Arizona, after
after aa leisurely
leisurely 15-day
15-day trip
trip..
10
10 November:
November: The
The School
School of
of Aviation
Aviation Medicine,
Medicine, Randolph
Randolph
Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, holds the first symposium on
Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, holds the first symposium on
space
space medicine
medicine..

4
30
30 November
November:: Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright demonstrates
demonstrates its
its new
new reversible
reversible
pitch
pitch propellers,
propellers, enabling
enabling aa C-54
C-54 to
to make
make a a controlled
controlled
descent
descent from 15,000 to 1,000 feet-one minute, 22 seconds.
from 15,000 to 1,000 feet—one minute, 22 seconds.
8 December: A
8 December: A six-engine
six-engine B-36
B-36 completes
completes aa 9,400-mile
9,400-mile
nonstop
nonstop flight,
flight, taking
taking off
off from
from Fort
Fort Worth,
Worth, Texas,
Texas, flying
flying to
to
Hawaii,
Hawaii, and
and returning
returning toto Texas
Texas without
without refueling.
refueling.
9-28
9-28 December:
December: On On 99 December
December 19481948 an an arctic
arctic storm
storm
forces
forces the crew of
the crew of aa C-47
C-47 Skytrain
Skytrain to
to land
land onon the
the Greenland
Greenland
ice
ice cap,
cap, stranding
stranding a a crew
crew of
of seven.
seven. Subsequent
Subsequent rescue
rescue
attempts
attempts byby aa B-17
B-17 andand aa towed
towed glider
glider fail,
fail, stranding
stranding five
five
rescuers
rescuers asas well
well.. On
On 2828 December
December Lt Lt Col
Col Emil
Emil Beaudry
Beaudry
lands
lands aa ski-equipped
ski-equipped Skytrain
Skytrain on
on the
the ice
ice cap,
cap, rescuing
rescuing the
the
12 airmen . For this rescue, Beaudry wins the Mackay
12 airmen. For this rescue, Beaudry wins the Mackay
Trophy.
Trophy.
17
17 December
December:: On
On the
the 45th
45th anniversary
anniversary of of the
the first
first heavier-
heavier-
than-air
than-air aircraft
aircraft flight,
flight, the
the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
Institution celebrates
celebrates
the
the return
return of
of the
the Wright
Wright 1903
1903 Flyer,
Flyer, also
also called
called the
the Kitty
Kitty Hawk,
Hawk,
to
to the
the United
United States.
States. The
The plane
plane arrived
arrived in
in Washington
Washington on on 22
22
November from the British Museum, where it has been
November from the British Museum, where it has been
displayed
displayed for
for 20 years.
20 years.
31
31 December
December:: Allied
Allied aircraft
aircraft log
log the
the 100,000th
100,000th flight
flight of
of the
the
Berlin
Berlin airlift.
airlift.

1949
194»
99 February:
February: The
The Department
Department ofof Space
Space Medicine
Medicine is
is established
established
at
at the
the School
School ofAviation
of Aviation Medicine,
Medicine, Randolph
Randolph AFB
AFB..
22 March
March:: Lucky
Lucky LadyLady II II lands
lands at
at Carswell
Carswell AFB,
AFB, Texas.
Texas.
Piloted by Capt James Gallagher, the B-50 Superfortress
Piloted by Capt James Gallagher, the B-50 Superfortress
completes
completes the the first
first nonstop,
nonstop, around-the-world
around-the-world flight
flight in
in
history,
history, covering
covering 23,452
23,452 milesmiles in
in 94
94 hours,
hours, one
one minute,
minute,
refueling
refueling in
in the
the air over the
air over the Azores,
Azores, Arabia,
Arabia, the
the Philippines,
Philippines,
and
and Hawaii. The crew
Hawaii. The crew ofof the
the Lucky
Lucky Lady II wins
Lady II wins the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy
Trophy for
for this
this flight
flight..
26 March:
26 March: A A B-36 Peacemaker bomber
B-36 Peacemaker bomber equipped
equipped with
with ten
ten
engines-the
engines—the usual
usual six
six reciprocating,
reciprocating, plus
plus four
four jet-makes
jet—makes
its first successful test flight at Fort Worth, Texas.
its first successful test flight at Fort Worth, Texas.

5
Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington congratulates the crew of the
Lucky Lady II after their historic nonstop around-the-world flight in1949.

6
6 April
April:: Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright announces
announces the the X-1
X-l rocket
rocket plane
plane
(made
(made byby Bell,
Bell, engine
engine by
by Curtiss-Wright)
Curtiss-Wright) flies
flies at
at 1,000
1,000 mph,
mph,
an
an unofficial
unofficial world-record
world-record speed
speed for
for piloted
piloted planes
planes..
11
11 May: President Truman
May: President Truman signs
signs a
a bill
bill providing
providing aa 3,000-
3,000-
mile
mile guided-missile
guided-missile test
test range
range for
for USAF
USAF.. The
The range
range is
is subse-
subse-
quently
quently established
established at
at Cape
Cape Canaveral,
Canaveral, Florida.
Florida.
12
12 May:
May: The
The Soviet
Soviet Union
Union ends
ends the
the blockade
blockade of
of West
West Berlin
Berlin..
To build up
To build up stockpiles,
stockpiles, airlift
airlift continues
continues on
on a
a gradually
gradually
reduced
reduced basis.
basis.
22 June
June:: Gen
Gen Henry
Henry H.H. Arnold
Arnold is
is given
given the
the permanent
permanent rank
rank
of
of General
General of
of the
the Air
Air Force.
Force.
11 July
July:: The
The Air
Air Force
Force establishes
establishes the
the USAF
USAF Medical
Medical Service,
Service,
headed by Maj Gen Malcolm C. Grow, the first USAF
headed by Maj Gen Malcolm C. Grow, the first USAF
surgeon
surgeon general.
general.
10
10 August
August:: President
President Truman
Truman signs
signs the
the National
National Security
Security
Act
Act amendments
amendments of of 1949,
1949, revising
revising unification
unification legislation
legislation of
of

6
1947 and converting
1947 and converting the
the National
National Military
Military Establishment
Establishment
into the Department of Defense (DOD).
into the Department of Defense (DOD).
30 September:
30 September: The
The Berlin
Berlin airlift,
airlift, gradually
gradually reduced since 12
reduced since 12
May 1949,
May officially ends.
1949. officially ends . Allied
Allied aircraft
aircraft carried
carried 2,343,301
2.343.301.5.5
tons of supplies
tons of supplies on on 277,264
277,264 flights
flights.. U.S
U.S.. planes
planes carried
carried
1,783,826 tons.
1.783.826 tons.
55 December:
December: As As result
result of
of detection
detection of of a Soviet atomic
a Soviet atomic
explosion in August 1949, USAF diverts $50 million from
explosion in August 1949, USAF diverts $50 million from
other projects
other projects to
to begin
begin construction
construction of of radar
radar sites
sites in
in Alaska
Alaska
and other
and areas of
other areas of the
the United
United States
States..

1950
1950
15 January:
15 January: General of the
General of the Air
Air Force
Force Henry
Henry H. Arnold dies
H. Arnold dies of
of
aa heart ailment at
heart ailment at Sonoma,
Sonoma, California.
California .
11 June:
June : The
The USAF
USAF isis authorized
authorized to organize the
to organize Ground
the Ground
Observer Corps
Observer Corns as
as Dart
part of
of the civil air
the civil raid warning
air raid warninLF system.
svstem.

The F-51 Mustang, a superb air superiority fighter by World War II

standards, was relegated to ground attack a tew years later in Korea,
outclassed by new generations of jet fighters.
27 June:: President
27 June President Truman
Truman announces
announces that
that he
he has
has ordered
ordered
the USAF to aid South Korea, which North Korean communist
the USAF to aid South Korea, which North Korean communist
forces
forces had
had invaded
invaded two
two days
days previously
previously..
27
27 June
June:: 1st
1st Lt
Lt William
William G.G. Hudson,
Hudson, USAF,
USAF, flying an F-82
flying an F-82
Twin Mustang, shoots down
Twin Mustang, shoots down and
and destroys
destroys the
the first
first enemy
enemy
plane
plane in the Korean
in the Korean War,
War, aa Yak-11,
Yak-11, aa single-engine,
single-engine, propeller-
propeller-
driven
driven Soviet
Soviet fighter
fighter aircraft.
aircraft.
30
30 June
June:: President
President Truman
Truman authorizes
authorizes Gen
Gen Douglas
Douglas
MacArthur to dispatch air forces against targets in North
MacArthur to dispatch air forces against targets in North
Korea.
Korea.
66 July
July:: The Harmon International
The Harmon International Aviation
Aviation Awards
Awards
Committee
Committee names
names James
James H.H. Doolittle
Doolittle as
as aviator
aviator ofof the
the
decade, Jacqueline Cochran as outstanding aviatrix, and
decade, Jacqueline Cochran as outstanding aviatrix, and
Vice
Vice Adm
Adm Charles
Charles E.
E. Rosendahl
Rosendahl as
as top aeronaut (lighter-
top aeronaut (lighter-
than-air man).
than-air man).
13
13 July
July:: B-29s
B-29s of of the
the 22d 22d and
and 92d Bombardment Groups
92d Bombardment Groups
bomb the North Korean marshaling yards at Wonsan, the
bomb the North Korean marshaling yards at Wonsan, the
first
first strategic
strategic bombing
bombing raid raid ofof the Korean War.
the Korean War. The
The groups
groups
had been alerted on 1 July, left the United States on 5
had been alerted on 1 July, left the United States on 5 July,
July,
and
and arrived
arrived atat their
their bases
bases in Japan and
in Japan and Okinawa
Okinawa only
only six
six
days prior to this
days prior to this raid
raid. .
5
5 August:
August: Maj
Maj Louis
Louis JJ.. Sebille, USAF, is
Sebille, USAF, is killed
killed in
in action
action
flying a severely damaged F-51 Mustang against an
flying a severely damaged F-51 Mustang against an enemy
enemy
force
force concentration
concentration inin Korea.
Korea. Major
Major Sebille
Sebille isis the
the first
first
member of the recently created USAF to be
member of the recently created USAF to be awarded
awarded the
the
Medal
Medal of
of Honor.
Honor.
15 September-28 October:
15 September-28 October: The
The first
first contingent
contingent ofof 27th
27th
Fighter
Fighter Escort
Escort Wing
Wing F-84E Thunderjet fighters
F-84E Thunderjet fighters leaves
leaves
Bergstrom
Bergstrom AFB,
AFB, Texas,
Texas, on 15 September,
on 15 September, arriving
arriving in
in West
West
Germany on
Germany on 18
18 September.
September. The
The second
second contingent
contingent leaves
leaves
Texas on 15 October, arriving in West
Texas on 15 October, arriving in West Germany
Germany on
on 28
28
October. The 27th
October. The Fighter Escort
27th Fighter Wing receives
Escort Wing receives the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy for this flight .
Trophy for this flight.
22 September: Col
22 September: Col David
David C. Schilling completes
C. Schilling completes the the first
first
nonstop flight over the Atlantic by a jet aircraft, landing his
nonstop flight over the Atlantic by a jet aircraft, landing his
F-84
F-84 Thunderjet
Thunderjet at at Limestone,
Limestone, Maine,
Maine, after
after flying
flying 3,300
3,300
miles from England in ten hours, one minute.
miles from England in ten hours, one minute.

88
28
28 September:
September: Eight
Eight white
white mice
mice survive
survive aa flight
flight to
to an
an
altitude
altitude of
of 97,000
97,000 feet
feet in
in aa balloon
balloon launched
launched at
at Holloman
Holloman
AFB,
AFB, New
New Mexico.
Mexico.
29
29 September: The USAF
September: The USAF announces
announces that
that a
a parachute
parachute jump
jump
of
of 42,449
42,449 feet
feet was
was made
made by
by Capt
Capt Richard
Richard V.
V. Wheeler
Wheeler at
at
Holloman AFB.
Holloman AFB.
88 November:
November: In
In history's
history's first
first battle
battle between
between jet
jet aircraft,
aircraft, aa
USAF
USAF F-80
F-80 Shooting
Shooting Star,
Star, piloted
piloted by
by Lt
Lt Russell
Russell J.
J. Brown,
Brown,
downs
downs aa North Korean MiG-15 .
North Korean MiG-15.
29
29 November-8
November-8 December
December:: Combat
Combat Cargo
Cargo Command
Command mounts
mounts
a-
a maximum effort to
maximum effort to supply
supply the
the 1st
1st Marine
Marine Division
Division trapped
trapped
by
by Chinese
Chinese forces
forces at
at the
the Chosin
Chosin Reservoir.
Reservoir. Altogether,
Altogether, C-1 19s
C-119s
and
and C-47s
C-47s air-drop
air-drop oror land
land on
on rough
rough air
air strips
strips 1,580
1,580 tons
tons of
of
supplies
supplies and
and equipment,
equipment, including
including eight
eight bridge
bridge spans,
spans, and
and
evacuate
evacuate almost
almost 5,000
5,000 sick
sick and
and wounded
wounded marines
marines..
5
5 December
December:: Combat
Combat Cargo
Cargo Command
Command uses uses 131
131 flights
flights to
to
evacuate
evacuate 3,925
3,925 patients
patients from
from Korea.
Korea. This
This is
is the
the Korean
Korean
War's
War's largest
largest day
day of
of aeromedical
aeromedical airlift.
airlift.
14-17
14-17 December: Combat Cargo
December: Combat Cargo Command
Command evacuates
evacuates 228
228
patients,
patients, 3,891
3,891 other
other passengers,
passengers, and
and 20,088
20,088 tons
tons of
of cargo
cargo
from
from Yonpo Airfield as
Yonpo Airfield as Chinese
Chinese troops
troops press
press the
the X
X Corps
Corps
in
in the
the Hamhung-Hungnam
Hamhung-Hungnam defense defense perimeter.
perimeter. Naval
Naval
transports
transports remove
remove thethe remainder
remainder of of X
X Corps
Corps byby 24
24
December .
December.

14951
1951
15-16
15-16 February:
February: H-5
H-5 helicopter
helicopter pilots
pilots of
of the
the 3d
3d Air
Air Rescue
Rescue
Squadron brave a blinding snowstorm and 40-knot winds to
Squadron brave a blinding snowstorm and 40-knot winds to
deliver
deliver blood
blood plasma
plasma and
and medical
medical supplies
supplies toto the
the U.S
U.S.. Army
Army
2d
2d Division
Division at
at Chipyong,
Chipyong, Korea,
Korea, and
and to
to evacuate
evacuate 52
52 wounded
wounded
men.
men.
11 March
March:: The USAF establishes
The USAF establishes its
its northernmost
northernmost operational
operational
base,
base, Thule AB, Greenland,
Thule AB, Greenland, 690
690 miles
miles north
north of
of the
the Arctic
Arctic
Circle
Circle..
15
15 March:
March: AA Boeing KC-97A Stratofreighter
Boeing KC-97A Stratofreighter tanker
tanker success-
success-
fully refuels a B-47 jet bomber in-flight.
fully refuels a B-^17 jet bomber in-flight.

9
18
18 April:
April: An
An Aerobee
Aerobee research
research rocket
rocket flies
flies a
a monkey
monkey into
into
space,
space, the
the first
first primate
primate in
in space,
space, from
from Holloman
Holloman AFB.
AFB.
20 May: Capt
20 May: Capt James
James Jabara
Jabara becomes
becomes the
the world's
world's first
first jet
jet
ace,
ace, shooting
shooting down
down his
his fifth
fifth and
and sixth MiGs in
sixth MiGs in the
the Korean
Korean
War.
War.
66 July
July:: An
An Air
Air Materiel
Materiel Command
Command KB-29M
KB-29M tanker,
tanker, operated
operated
by a SAC crew assigned to the 43d Air Refueling Squadron,
by a SAC crew assigned to the 43d Air Refueling Squadron,
conducts
conducts thethe first air refueling
first air refueling over
over enemy
enemy territory
territory under
under
combat conditions . The tanker refuels four RF-80 Shooting
combat conditions. The tanker refuels four RF-80 Shooting
Stars
Stars flying
flying reconnaissance
reconnaissance missions
missions over
over North
North Korea.
Korea.
17
17 August:
August: Flying
Flying aa combat-equipped
combat-equipped F-86E
F-86E Sabrejet,
Sabrejet, Col
Col
Fred
Fred J.
J. Ascani
Ascani sets
sets aa world-speed
world-speed record
record of
of 635.6
635.6 mph
mph in
in
the
the 100-kilometer
100-kilometer closed-course
closed-course competition
competition atat the
the National
National
Air
Air Races
Races in
in Detroit,
Detroit, Michigan.
Michigan. Colonel
Colonel Ascani
Ascani will
will receive
receive
the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for the
the meritorious
meritorious flight
flight of
of 1951
1951..
24
24 August:
August: Air
Air Force
Force Chief
Chief of
of Staff
Staff Gen
Gen Hoyt
Hoyt S.
S. Vandenberg
Vandenberg
reports
reports that
that the
the February
February 1951
1951 Nevada
Nevada atomic
atomic bomb
bomb tests
tests
evaluated
evaluated a a new
new atomic
atomic tactical
tactical weapon
weapon for
for use
use against
against
armies
armies in the field.
in the field.
13
13 September:
September: TheThe USAF
USAF announces
announces establishment
establishment of
of its
its
first pilotless bomber
first pilotless bomber squadron
squadron at
at Missile Test Center,
Missile Test Center,
Cocoa,
Cocoa, Florida
Florida..
14
14 September:
September: Capt
Capt John
John S.S. Walmsley
Walmsley Jr.,
Jr., USAF,
USAF, loses
loses his
his
life
life illuminating
illuminating an an enemy
enemy supply
supply train
train while
while piloting
piloting aa
searchlight-equipped
searchlight-equipped B-26 B-26 Invader.
Invader. Disabling the enemy
Disabling the enemy
train with bombs, Captain Walmsley makes repeated passes
train with bombs, Captain Walmsley makes repeated passes
over
over thethe halted
halted train,
train, taking
taking no
no evasive
evasive action, to guide
action, to guide
other
other USAF
USAF aircraft
aircraft to
to the
the target.
target. He
He earns
earns the
the Medal
Medal ofof
Honor.
Honor.
20
20 September:
September: The USAF makes
The USAF makes thethe first
first successful
successful
recovery of animals
recovery of animals from
from a
a rocket
rocket flight
flight when
when a a monkey
monkey and
and
11
11 mice
mice survive
survive an
an Aerobee
Aerobee flight to an
flight to an altitude
altitude of
of 236,000
236,000
feet
feet..
23
23 October:
October: The 306th Bombardment
The 306th Bombardment Wing, Wing, Medium,
Medium,
receives
receives the
the first
first production
production B-47
B-47 Stratojet medium bomber
Stratojet medium bomber
to
to enter
enter service.
service. This
This aircraft
aircraft will
will become
become the
the workhorse
workhorse of
of
SAC through most of the 1950s.
SAC through most of the 1950s.

10
10
1952s2
19e)~
January: The
7 January:
7 The USAF announces plans
USAF announces plans to
to increase
increase its
its
combat strength
effective combat
effective strength by 50 percent
by 50 percent and
and personnel
personnel by
by
20 percent . The result will be a full 143-wing, 1,273,200-
20 percent. The result will be a full 143-wing, 1,273,200-
Air Force.
person Air
person Force .
88 January: Exercise Snowfall
January : Exercise begins the
Snowfall begins the largest
largest U.S. airlift of
U.S. airlift of
troops to date.
troops to date. During 8-13 January,
During 8-13 approximately 100
January, approximately 100
planes of the 516th Troop
planes of the 516th Troop Carrier
Carrier Wing
Wing airlift
airlift 8,623
8,623 troops
troops
from
from Fort
Fort Campbell, to Wheeler-Sack
Kentucky, to
Campbell, Kentucky, Wheeler-Sack Army
Army Air Air
Field, New
Field, New York.
York.
11 February: The U.S
February : The Air Force
U.S.. Air acquires its
Force acquires first general-
its first general-
purpose, high-speed digital
purpose, high-speed computer, a
digital computer, vacuum-tube-based
a vacuum-tube-based
Univac I.
Univac I.

F-86 Sabres enabled American pilots to turn the tide of the air war in Korea
in favor of the Allies.

11
10
10 February:
February: Leading
Leading aa flight
flight of
of three
three F-86
F-86 Sabrejets
Sabrejets onon aa
combat
combat air
air patrol
patrol mission
mission near
near the
the Manchurian
Manchurian border,
border, Maj
Maj
George
George A.
A. Davis
Davis Jr.
Jr. engages
engages 1212 enemy
enemy MiG-15
MiG-15 jet
jet fighters
fighters in
in
aerial
aerial combat.
combat. After
After shooting
shooting down
down twotwo enemy
enemy aircraft
aircraft and
and
completely
completely disrupting
disrupting the
the enemy
enemy formation,
formation, Major
Major Davis
Davis is
is
himself
himself shot
shot down
down and
and killed
killed.. Major
Major Davis
Davis is
is the
the first
first USAF
USAF
member
member to to become
become an an ace
ace in
in two
two wars,
wars, World
World War
War IIII and
and
Korea.
Korea. He
He earns
earns the
the Medal
Medal of
of Honor
Honor for
for his
his sacrifice.
sacrifice.
15
15 April:
April: The
The YB-52,
YB-52, eightjet
eight-jet Stratofortress
Stratofortress prototype,
prototype, the
the
first
first all-jet
all-jet intercontinental
intercontinental heavy
heavy bomber,
bomber, makes
makes its
its first
first
flight
flight..
33 May:
May: AA ski-and-wheel-equipped
ski-and-wheel-equipped USAFUSAF C-47
C-47 Skytrain
Skytrain
makes
makes the world's first
the world's first successful
successful North
North Pole
Pole landing.
landing.
23-24
23-24 June:
June: Combined
Combined air air elements
elements ofof the
the U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force,
Force,
Navy,
Navy, and
and Marine Corps virtually
Marine Corps virtually destroy
destroy the
the electric
electric power
power
potential
potential of
of North
North Korea.
Korea. The
The two-day
two-day attack,
attack, involving
involving over
over
1,200
1,200 sorties,
sorties, is
is the
the largest
largest single
single air
air effort
effort since
since World
World War
War II.
II.
22 July:
July: The
The USAF
USAF discloses
discloses aa new
new jet
jet fighter,
fighter, the
the Lockheed
Lockheed
F-94C
F-94C Starfire,
Starfire, the
the first
first Air
Air Force
Force fighter
fighter armed
armed solely
solely with
with
rockets
rockets..
14 July:: The
14 July The Ground
Ground Observer
Observer Corps
Corps initiates
initiates the
the 24-
24-
hour-a-day
hour-a-day Skywatch
Skywatch program
program as
as part
part of
of aa nationwide
nationwide
air-defense
air-defense effort
effort..
17
17 July:
July: Fifty-eight
Fifty-eight F-84
F-84 Thunderjets
Thunderjets of of 31st
31st Fighter
Fighter Escort
Escort
Wing
Wing complete
complete a a record
record transoceanic
transoceanic mass jet flight
mass-jet flight.. The
The
flight,
flight, under
under Col Col David
David C C.. Schilling,
Schilling, left
left Turner
Turner AFB,AFB,
Georgia,
Georgia, onon 44 July,
July, and
and landed
landed at at Yokota
Yokota AB,
AB, Japan,
Japan, onon 16
16
and
and 1717 July,
July, flying
flying 10,895
10,895 miles
miles with
with seven
seven stops
stops and
and two
two
aerial
aerial refuelings
refuelings.. This
This is
is the
the first
first mass-fighter
mass-fighter deployment
deployment
supported
supported by by in-flight refueling.
in-flight refueling.
19 July : The
19 July: The USAF
USAF announces
announces thethe first
first successful
successful flying
flying of
of
balloons
balloons atat controlled
controlled constant
constant stratospheric
stratospheric altitudes
altitudes for
for
periods
periods lasting
lasting over
over three
three days
days..
29
29 July
July:: An
An RB-45
RB-45 assigned
assigned to
to the
the 91st
91st Strategic
Strategic Reconnais-
Reconnais-
sance
sance Wing flies from
Wing flies Elmendorf AFB,
from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska,
Alaska, to
to Yokota
Yokota AB
AB
making
making thethe first
first nonstop
nonstop transpacific
transpacific flight
flight by
by a
a jet
jet aircraft.
aircraft.
Maj
Maj Louis
Louis H.H. Carrington
Carrington Jr.,
Jr., Maj
Maj Frederick
Frederick W.
W. Shook,
Shook, and
and

12
12
Capt
Capt Wallace
Wallace D
D.. Yancey
Yancey earn
earn the
the 1952
1952 Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for
this
this flight.
flight.
31 July
31 July:: Two USAF MATS
Two USAF MATS Sikorsky H-19 helicopters
Sikorsky H-19 helicopters
complete
complete the first transatlantic
the first transatlantic helicopter
helicopter flight,
flight, having
having
flown in five stages from Westover Field, Massachusetts, to
flown in five stages from Westover Field, Massachusetts, to
Prestwick,
Prestwick, Scotland
Scotland..
30
30 September:
September: The
The Bell
Bell Rascal
Pascal GAM-63
GAM-63 air-to-surface
air-to-surface
strategic
strategic missile
missile launches
launches for
for the
the first
first time
time..
22
22 November:
November: While
While leading
leading aa flight
flight of
of four
four F-80
F-80 Shooting
Shooting
Star
Star fighters
fighters dive-bombing
dive-bombing enemy
enemy gun
gun positions,
positions, Maj
Maj
Charles
Charles J.
J. Loring deliberately crashes
Loring deliberately crashes his
his damaged
damaged aircraft
aircraft
into enemy emplacements . Major Loring earns the Medal of
into enemy emplacements. Major Loring earns the Medal of
Honor
Honor for
for his
his sacrifice.
sacrifice.
26 November
26 November:: A Northrop B-62
A Northrop B-62 Snark,
Snark, a
a turbojet-powered
turbojet-powered
subsonic
subsonic long-range
long-range missile,
missile, is
is launched
launched for
for the
the first
first time
time
from
from aa zero-length
zero-length launcher.
launcher.

1953tat
194
88 February
February:: The
The American
American Medical
Medical Association
Association recognizes
recognizes
Aviation
Aviation Medicine
Medicine as
as aa medical
medical specialty,
specialty, the
the first
first one
one to
to
evolve
evolve from
from military
military practice
practice and
and research
research..
25
25 May:
May: George
George Welch,
Welch, North
North American
American test
test pilot,
pilot, flies
flies the
the
prototype
prototype YF-100
YF-100 Super
Super Sabre
Sabre for
for the
the first
first time,
time, taking
taking off
off
and landing at
and landing at Air
Air Force
Force Flight
Flight Test
Test Center,
Center, Edwards
Edwards AFB,
AFB,
California.
California.
88 June:
June: At Luke AFB,
At Luke AFB, Arizona,
Arizona, the
the USAF
USAF Thunderbirds,
Thunderbirds,
officially
officially designated
designated the 3600th Air
the 3600th Demonstration Flight,
Air Demonstration Flight,
perform for the first time .
perform for the first time.
11
11 July:
July: Maj
Maj John
John F. F. Bolt
Bolt becomes
becomes thethe first
first jet
jet ace
ace inin
Marine Corps history while flying the F-86 Sabrejet on
Marine Corps history while flying the F-86 Sabrejet on
temporary
temporary duty with the
duty with the Air
Air Force's
Force's 51st
51st Fighter
Fighter Interceptor
Interceptor
Wing.
Wing.
27
27 July:
July: Capt
Capt Ralph
Ralph S.
S. Parr
Parr Jr.
Jr. gains
gains the
the last
last aerial
aerial victory
victory
of
of the
the Korean
Korean War by shooting
War by shooting down
down anan Il-2
11-2 at
at 12:30
12:30 P.M.
P.M.
The armistice became effective at 10:01 P.M.
The armistice became effective at 10:01 P.M.

113
3
20
20 August:
August: During
During Operation
Operation Longstride,
Longstride, F-84
F-84 Thunderjets
Thunderjets
assigned to the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing fly from Albany,
assigned to the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing fly from Albany,
Georgia,
Georgia, to
to Nouasseur
Nouasseur AB, AB, Morocco.
Morocco. On On the
the same
same dayday 17
17
F-84G
F-84G Thunderjets
Thunderjets assigned
assigned toto the
the 508th
508th Strategic
Strategic Fighter
Fighter
Wing fly nonstop
Wing fly 4,485 miles
nonstop 4,485 miles from
from Albany
Albany toto Lakenheath,
Lakenheath,
England.
England. These
These first
first nonstop
nonstop transatlantic
transatlantic flights
flights byby fighters
fighters
demonstrate
demonstrate SAC's
SAC's capability
capability for
for rapid
rapid long-range
long-range deployment
deployment
and
and earn
earn the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
25
25 August:
August: The The USAF
USAF announces
announces that
that it
it has
has transformed
transformed a a
B-36
B-36 Peacemaker
Peacemaker bomber
bomber into
into aa "flying
"flying aircraft
aircraft carrier"
carrier"
capable
capable of launching and
of launching and recovering
recovering an an F-84
F-84 Thunderjet
Thunderjet
fighter
fighter in
in flight
flight..
1I September:
September: TheThe USAF
USAF announces
announces the
the first
first instance
instance of
of
aerial refueling of
aerial refueling of jet-powered
jet-powered aircraft
aircraft byby jet-powered
jet-powered
aircraft, in which
aircraft, in which a
a standard
standard B-47
B-47 Stratojet
Stratojet received
received fuel
fuel in
in
the
the air
air from
from aa KB-47B
KB-47B Stratojet.
Stratojet.
11
II September:
September: The
The Sidewinder
Sidewinder infrared-guided
infrared-guided air-to-air
air-to-air
missile
missile makes
makes the
the first
first successful
successful interception,
interception, sending
sending an
an
F-6F drone down in flames.
F-6F drone down in flames.
14
14 October:
October: The
The X-10,
X-10, prototype
prototype of
of the
the North
North American
American
B-64 Navaho ramjet-propelled
B-64 Navaho ramjet-propelled surface-to-surface
surface-to-surface guided
guided
missile,
missile, makes initial flight .
makes initial flight.
12
12 December:
December: Maj
Maj Charles
Charles E.
E. Yeager,
Yeager, USAF,
USAF, attains
attains speed
speed
of
of 1,650
1,650 mph-about
mph—about twice
twice that
that of
of sound-at
sound—at Edwards
Edwards AFB
AFB
in
in a
a Bell
Bell X-lA
X-1A rocket
rocket ship
ship launched
launched from
from aa B-36
B-36 bomber.
bomber.

11) 4 1W A
1054
24
24 February
February:: President Dwight D.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower approves
approves aa
National
National Security
Security Council
Council recommendation
recommendation for
for construction
construction
of
of aa distant
distant early
early warning
warning line.
line.
11 March
March:: The
The United
United States
States explodes
explodes the
the first
first hydrogen
hydrogen
bomb
bomb in
in the
the Marshall
Marshall Islands.
Islands.
16 March : Representative
16 March: Representative W.
W. Sterling
Sterling Cole,
Cole, chairman
chairman ofof the
the
Joint Atomic Energy Committee, reports that the United
Joint Atomic Energy Committee, reports that the United
States
States has
has aa hydrogen
hydrogen weapon
weapon that
that can
can be
be delivered
delivered by
by
airplane to any
airplane to any target
target in
in the
the world.
world.

14
14
11 April
April:: President
President Eisenhower
Eisenhower signs
signs into
into law
law aa bill
bill creating
creating
the Air Force Academy.
the Air Force Academy.
24
24 June:
June: Secretary
Secretary of the Air
of the Force Harold
Air Force Harold E E.. Talbott
Talbott
announces
announces the the permanent
permanent location
location of of the Air Force
the Air Force
Academy will be a 15,000-acre
Academy will be a 15,000-acre tract
tract of
of land
land six
six miles
miles north
north
of
of Colorado
Colorado Springs,
Springs, Colorado
Colorado..
15
15 July
July:: The
The first jet-powered transport
first jet-powered transport built
built in
in the
the U.S
U.S.,.,
the
the Boeing
Boeing 707,
707, flight-tests
flight-tests near
near Seattle,
Seattle, Washington
Washington.. This
This
aircraft is the prototype for military Stratotanker and
aircraft is the prototype for military Stratotanker and
commercial
commercial Stratoliner.
Stratoliner.
26 July:: Lt
26 July Gen Hubert
Lt Gen Hubert R.R. Harmon
Harmon is
is appointed
appointed the
the first
first
superintendent of the Air Force Academy.
superintendent of the Air Force Academy.
6-7
6-7 August:
August: Two
Two B-47
B-47 Stratojets
Stratojets assigned
assigned to the 308th
to the 308th
Bombardment
Bombardment WingWing fly
fly a a 10,000-mile
10,000-mile nonstop flight from
nonstop flight from
Hunter AFB, Georgia,
Hunter AFB, Georgia, to to French
French Morocco
Morocco and and back
back to to
Hunter AFB. The
Hunter AFB. 308th Bombardment
The 308th Bombardment Wing Wing wins
wins thethe
Mackay Trophy for this flight. During the same
Mackay Trophy for this flight. During the same period,
period, two
two
B-47
B-47 Stratojet wings assigned
Stratojet wings assigned to to the
the 38th
38th Air
Air Division
Division
depart Hunter AFB, fly a simulated bombing mission, and
depart Hunter AFB, fly a simulated bombing mission, and
recover
recover in French Morocco,
in French Morocco, demonstrating
demonstrating thethe ability
ability ofof
strategic bombers to operate from forward bases.
strategic bombers to operate from forward bases.
11 November:
November: The
The USAF
USAF B-29
B-29 Superfortress,
Superfortress, the
the aircraft
aircraft
famed for having dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and
famed for having dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and
Nagasaki,
Nagasaki, Japan,
Japan, is
is withdrawn
withdrawn from
from service.
service.
22 November
November:: Test
Test pilot
pilot JJ.. F.
F. Coleman,
Coleman, flying
flying Convair
Convair XYF-1,
XYF-1,
takes off in vertical flight, shifts to horizontal, and changes
takes off in vertical flight, shifts to horizontal, and changes
back
back to
to vertical
vertical for
for landing
landing at at San
San Diego,
Diego, California
California..
7
7 December
December:: The
The USAF
USAF makes the first
makes the first successful
successful recovery
recovery
of a missile, a Navaho X-10, using a fully
of a missile, a Navaho X-10, using a fully automatic
automatic
approach
approach and
and landing
landing system
system at Edwards AFB
at Edwards AFB..
10
10 December:
December: In
In a
a rocket-propelled
rocket-propelled sled
sled run,
run, Col John P.
Col John P.
Stapp,
Stapp, USAF,
USAF, attains
attains speed
speed of
of 632
632 mph
mph andand sustains
sustains
greater G-force than ever endured in recorded deceleration
greater G-force than ever endured in recorded deceleration
tests-the
tests—the equivalent
equivalent of
of Mach
Mach 11.7
.7 at
at 35,000
35,000 feet. The test
feet. The test
determines that humans can survive ejection from aircraft
determines that humans can survive ejection from aircraft
at
at supersonic
supersonic speeds.
speeds.

115
5
 1955
1955
66 April:
April: A
A missile
missile launched
launched byby aa B-36
B-36 Peacemaker
Peacemaker bomber
bomber
at
at aa height
height of
of 42,000
42,000 feet
feet explodes
explodes its
its nuclear
nuclear warhead
warhead
some
some six
six miles
miles above
above Yucca
Yucca Flat,
Flat, Nevada.
Nevada. This
This is
is the
the
highest
highest known
known altitude
altitude of
of any
any nuclear
nuclear blast
blast..
29
29 June
June:: The
The first
first Boeing
Boeing B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress to
to enter
enter USAF
USAF
operational
operational service
service isis delivered
delivered to
to the
the 93d
93d Bombardment
Bombardment
Wing,
Wing, Castle AFB, California.
Castle AFB, California .
July:
July: The
The Air
Air Force
Force Academy
Academy admits
admits itsits first
first class
class of
of 306
306
cadets
cadets at Lowery AFB,
at Lowery AFB, Colorado
Colorado,; its
its temporary
temporary location
location until
until
it
it can
can move
move to
to Colorado
Colorado Springs.
Springs.
20
20 August:
August: Col
Col Horace
Horace A.A. Hanes,
Hanes, USAF,
USAF, flying
flying an
an F-100
F-100
Super Sabre over the Mojave Desert, establishes a new
Super Sabre over the Mojave Desert, establishes a new
speed
speed record
record of
of 822 .135 mph.
822.135 mph. Colonel
Colonel Hanes,
Hanes, thethe director
director of
of
Flight
Flight Testing, Air Force
Testing, Air Force Flight
Flight Test
Test Center,
Center, Edwards
Edwards AFB,
AFB,
will
will receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for his
his record-breaking
record-breaking
flight.
flight.
66 October:
October: DOD
DOD announces
announces that
that it
it has
has awarded
awarded aa contract
contract
to
to Glenn
Glenn L.L. Martin
Martin Company
Company asas primary
primary contractor
contractor forfor
building
building aa rocket vehicle for
rocket vehicle for launching
launching an an earth
earth satellite.
satellite.
Martin
Martin receives authorization to
receives authorization to contract
contract with
with General
General
Electric
Electric Company
Company for for construction
construction ofof the
the rocket
rocket motor
motor for
for
the
the launching
launching vehicle.
vehicle.
22
22 October:
October: The
The Republic
Republic F-105A
F-105A Thunderchief
Thunderchief fighter-
fighter-
bomber,
bomber, designed
designed to
to carry
carry nuclear
nuclear weapons
weapons and
and support
support
field
field armies,
armies, exceeds
exceeds the
the speed
speed of
of sound
sound on
on its
its initial
initial flight
flight
at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB
AFB..

11956
56
17
17 January:
January: DOD
DOD reveals
reveals the
the existence
existence of
of semiautomatic
semiautomatic
ground
ground environment
environment (SAGE),
(SAGE), an
an automated
automated electronic
electronic
air-defense
air-defense system.
system. SAGE
SAGE radars
radars transmit
transmit data
data rapidly
rapidly via
via
telephone
telephone lines
lines to
to direction/ combat centers where large
direction/combat centers where large
computers
computers process
process the
the information.
information.
21 May:: At
21 May At an altitude of
an altitude of 50,000
50,000 feet
feet over
over the
the Pacific,
Pacific, Maj
Maj
David
David Crichlow,
Crichlow, USAF,
USAF, inin a
a B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress bomber,
bomber,

16
16
drops
drops the
the first
first airborne
airborne hydrogen
hydrogen bomb,
bomb, which
which explodes
explodes on
on
Bikini Atoll.
Bikini Atoll.
7 September: Capt
7 September: Capt Iven
Iven C.
C. Kincheloe
Kincheloe Jr.
Jr. sets
sets the
the altitude
altitude
record
record for
for manned
manned flight
flight at
at Edwards
Edwards AFBAFB piloting
piloting a
a Bell
Bell X-2
X-2
transonic
transonic rocket-powered
rocket-powered aircraft
aircraft to
to a
a height
height ofof 126,200
126,200
feet.
feet. Captain
Captain Kincheloe
Kincheloe receives
receives the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for this
this
flight
flight..
15
15 September:
September: TheThe 701st
701st Tactical
Tactical Missile
Missile Wing
Wing (TMW),
(TMW),
scheduled
scheduled toto be
be equipped
equipped with
with the
the Matador cruise missile,
Matador cruise missile,
activates under Twelfth
activates under Twelfth Air
Air Force
Force at
at Hahn
Hahn AB,
AB, Germany.
Germany.
This
This is
is the
the first
first USAF
USAF TMW.
TMW.
27
27 September:
September: An X-2 transonic
An X-2 transonic rocket-powered
rocket-powered plane,
plane,
piloted
piloted by
by Capt
Capt Milburn
Milburn G.
G. Apt
Apt and
and launched
launched from
from a a B-50
B-50
bomber,
bomber, sets
sets a
a speed
speed record
record ofof 2,094
2,094 mph
mph over
over the
the Mojave
Mojave
Desert.
Desert. Later
Later in
in the
the flight
flight the
the aircraft
aircraft crashes,
crashes, killing
killing the
the
pilot.
pilot.
11
11 November
November:: USAF's
USAF's first
first supersonic
supersonic bomber,
bomber, thethe
delta-wing
delta-wing Convair
Convair B-58
B-58 Hustler,
Hustler, capable
capable of
of flying
flying at
at aa
speed
speed of
of 1,000
1,000 mph,
mph, makes
makes its
its initial
initial flight
flight at Fort Worth,
at Fort Worth,
Texas.
Texas.
26
26 November
November:: Secretary
Secretary ofof Defense
Defense Charles
Charles E E.. Wilson
Wilson
issues
issues aa memorandum
memorandum to to the
the Armed
Armed Forces
Forces Policy
Policy Council
Council
establishing
establishing the
the areas
areas of
of jurisdiction
jurisdiction of
of three
three U.S
U.S.. armed
armed
services
services in
in developing
developing missiles
missiles of
of various
various ranges.
ranges. Secretary
Secretary
Wilson
Wilson gives the USAF
gives the USAF operational
operational jurisdiction
jurisdiction over
over
long-range missiles .
long-range missiles.
30
30 November
November:: AA Martin
Martin TM-61
TM-61 Matador,
Matador, aa jet-propelled
jet-propelled
missile,
missile, completes
completes its
its final
final test
test flight
flight and
and becomes
becomes USAF's
USAF's
first
first operational
operational tactical
tactical missile
missile.. With
With aa range
range ofof several
several
hundred
hundred miles,
miles, the
the Matador
Matador cruises
cruises at 650 mph
at 650 mph and
and has
has aa
ceiling
ceiling of
of 35,000
35,000 feet
feet..
9 December : The
9 December: 463d Troop
The 463d Troop Carrier
Carrier Wing
Wing receives
receives USAF's
USAF's
first C-130 Hercules tactical cargo and troop carrier. This
first C-130 Hercules tactical cargo and troop carrier. This
four-engined
four-engined turboprop
turboprop airlifter
airlifter has
has an
an unrefueled
unrefueled range
range of
of
over
over 2,500
2,500 miles.
miles. It
It can
can carry
carry outsized
outsized cargo
cargo of
of almost
almost
50,000
50,000 pounds
pounds oror up
up toto 92
92 troops,
troops, and
and can
can take
take off
off and
and
land
land within
within about
about 3,600
3,600 feet.
feet.

117
7
 ü

OM O L O G Y
 195
1957
18 January: Commanded
18 January: Commanded by
by Maj
Maj Gen
Gen Archie
Archie J.
J. Old Jr.,.,
Old Jr
USAF,
USAF, three
three B-52 Stratofortresses complete
B-52 Stratofortresses complete aa 24,325-mile
24,325-mile
around-the-world nonstop flight, nicknamed Operation
around-the-world nonstop flight, nicknamed Operation
Power
Power Flite,
Flite, in 45 hours,
in 45 hours, 1919 minutes,
minutes, and
and an
an average
average speed
speed
of
of 534
534 mph.
mph. The
The 93d
93d Strategic
Strategic Bombardment
Bombardment WingWing wins
wins the
the
Mackay Trophy for this first globe-circling, nonstop flight by
Mackay Trophy for this first globe-circling, nonstop flight by
jet
jet aircraft.
aircraft.
12 April:: The
12 April The USAF
USAF discloses
discloses the
the Ryan
Ryan X-13
X-13 Vertijet
Vertijet
research
research plane,
plane, capable
capable of
of vertical
vertical takeoff
takeoff and
and landings,
landings, has
has
flown successfully at Edwards AFB.
flown successfully at Edwards AFB.
19 April:: A
19 April A Douglas
Douglas Thor
Thor (XSM-75)
(XSM-75) intermediate-range
intermediate-range
ballistic
ballistic missile
missile successfully
successfully launches
launches atat Cape
Cape Canaveral.
Canaveral.
2 June:: Capt
2 June Capt Joseph
Joseph W.
W. Kittinger
Kittinger Jr.,
Jr., USAF,
USAF, establishes
establishes the
the
altitude-endurance
altitude-endurance record
record forfor manned
manned lighter-than-air
lighter-than-air
aircraft
aircraft by
by remaining
remaining aloft
aloft in
in aa balloon
balloon over
over Minnesota
Minnesota for
for
six hours, 34
six hours, 34 minutes.
minutes. Two
Two hours
hours of
of that
that time
time was
was spent
spent
above
above 96,000
96,000 feet.
feet.
11 June:: Assigned
11 June Assigned to
to the
the 4080th
4080th Strategic
Strategic Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Wing,
Wing, the
the first
first U-2
U-2 high-altitude,
high-altitude, long-range
long-range reconnaissance
reconnaissance
aircraft arrives at
aircraft arrives at Laughlin AFB, Texas. The U-2
Laughlin AFB, Texas. The U-2 can
can fly
fly
ten-hour
ten-hour missions
missions at exceptionally
at exceptionally high
high altitudes
altitudes at
at a
a top
top
speed
speed of
of 600
600 mph.
mph.
28
28 June: Assigned to
June: Assigned to the
the 93d
93d Air
Air Refueling
Refueling Squadron,
Squadron, the
the
first
first KC-135
KC-135 Stratotanker
Stratotanker arrives
arrives at
at Castle
Castle AFB.
AFB. The
The jet
jet
tanker
tanker can
can cruise
cruise at
at the
the same
same speed
speed as
as jet
jet bombers
bombers while
while
refueling, drastically reducing
refueling, drastically reducing thethe time
time for
for missions
missions
requiring in-flight refueling.
requiring in-flight refueling.
July:: The
11 July The 704th Strategic Missile
704th Strategic Missile Wing
Wing (SMW)
(SMW) activates
activates at
at
Cooke
Cooke AFB,
AFB, California
California.. This
This is
is the
the first
first USAF
USAF ICBM
ICBM wing.
wing.
19 July:: The
19 July The USAF
USAF fires
fires the
the first
first air-to-air
air-to-air nuclear
nuclear defense
defense
rocket,
rocket, the
the Douglas
Douglas MB-1
MB-1 Genie,
Genie, from
from an
an F-89J
F-89J over
over Yucca
Yucca
Flat, Nevada.
Flat, Nevada.
31 July: The
31 July: The distant
distant early
early warning
warning line,
line, aa string
string of
of early
early
warning
warning radar
radar installations
installations extending
extending across
across the
the Canadian
Canadian
Arctic,
Arctic, is
is declared
declared fully
fully operational
operational..

2200
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Atlas, the free world's first intercontinental ballistic missile, had a range of
more than 5,500 nautical miles.
 1I August:
August: The
The North
North American
American Air
Air Defense
Defense Command,
Command, a a
joint United States-Canadian command with an air-defense
joint United States-Canadian command with an air-defense
mission,
mission, is
is informally
informally established.
established.
15
15 August:
August: Gen Nathan F.
Gen Nathan F. Twining
Twining becomes
becomes the
the first
first
USAF
USAF officer
officer to
to serve
serve as
as chairman
chairman of
of the
the Joint
Joint Chiefs
Chiefs of
of
Staff.
Staff.
20
20 September:
September: The
The USAF
USAF chief
chief of
of staff,
staff, Gen
Gen Thomas
Thomas D.D.
White,
White, announces
announces development
development ofof radar
radar units
units capable
capable of
of
detecting ICBMs at distances of 3,000 miles.
detecting ICBMs at distances of 3,000 miles.
44 October:
October: The Soviet Union
The Soviet Union launches
launches Sputnik,
Sputnik, the
the world's
world's
first
first artificial
artificial space satellite.
space satellite.
11
II October:
October: AA Thor
Thor intermediate-range
intermediate-range ballistic
ballistic missile
missile is
is
launched
launched atat Cape
Cape Canaveral,
Canaveral, exceeding
exceeding its
its designed
designed 1,500-
1,500-
mile
mile range
range and landing in
and landing in the
the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
Ocean 2,000
2,000 miles
miles
from
from launching
launching point. It is
point. It is the
the second
second Thor
Thor to
to be
be successfully
successfully
tested .
tested.
16
16 October:
October: The
The USAF
USAF successfully
successfully launches
launches anan Aerobee
Aerobee
rocket
rocket to
to aa height
height of
of 35
35 miles,
miles, where
where its
its nose
nose cone
cone separates
separates
and
and travels
travels to
to a
a height
height of
of 54
54 miles.
miles. AtAt this
this point,
point, shaped
shaped
charges blast pellets
charges blast pellets into
into space
space at a speed
at a speed of
of 33,000
33,000 mph,
mph,
surpassing
surpassing byby 8,000
8,000 mph
mph the
the speed
speed necessary
necessary to to escape
escape from
from
the earth's gravity.
the earth's gravity.
22
22 October: Operation Far
October: Operation Far Side,
Side, aa four-stage
four-stage rocket,
rocket, fires
fires
from
from aa balloon
balloon at
at 100,000
100,000 feet
feet above
above Eniwetok,
Eniwetok, penetrating
penetrating
at
at least
least 2,700
2,700 miles
miles into
into outer
outer space.
space.
21
21 November:
November: DODDOD announces
announces that
that the
the first
first ICBM
ICBM base
base will
will
be built at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
be built at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
29
29 November
November:: GenGen Thomas
Thomas D D.. White
White announces
announces the the
assignment
assignment of of the
the intercontinental
intercontinental and
and intermediate-range
intermediate-range
ballistic
ballistic missile
missile programs
programs to
to SAC
SAC as
as well
well as
as the
the transfer
transfer of
of the
the
1st
1st Missile
Missile Division
Division to
to SAC,
SAC, and
and that
that the
the San
San Bernardino
Bernardino AirAir
Force
Force Depot
Depot will
will support
support the
the long-range
long-range ballistic
ballistic missile
missile
program.
program.
15 December : The
15 December: The 556th
556th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron
Squadron (SMS),
(SMS),
the
the first
first SM-62
SM-62 Snark
Snark operational
operational squadron,
squadron, activates
activates at
at
Patrick AFB, Florida.
Patrick AFB, Florida.

22
22
17
17 December
December:: USAF
USAF accomplishes
accomplishes itsits first
first successful
successful firing
firing of
of
an
an Atlas
Atlas intercontinental
intercontinental ballistic
ballistic missile
missile (ICBM)
(ICBM).. The
The Atlas
Atlas
reentry
reentry vehicle
vehicle lands
lands in
in the
the target
target area
area after
after aa flight
flight ofof 500
500
miles.
miles.
19
19 December
December:: The fourth successfully
The fourth successfully tested
tested Thor
Thor missile
missile
completes
completes the
the first
first fully
fully guided
guided intermediate-range
intermediate-range ballistic
ballistic
missile
missile flight
flight using
using an
an all-inertial
all-inertial guidance
guidance system.
system.

195»
1 Q9511

11 January:
January: The
The USAF
USAF activates
activates the
the 672d
672d Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile
Squadron,
Squadron, with
with Thor
Thor intermediate-range
intermediate-range ballistic
ballistic missile,
missile, at
at
Cooke
Cooke (later,
(later, Vandenberg)
Vandenberg) AFB
AFB with
with Col
Col Harry
Harry H.H. Zink
Zink as
as
commander.
commander.
15
15 January:
January: The
The USAF
USAF activates
activates the
the 475th
475th Air
Air Defense
Defense Missile
Missile
Wing
Wing and
and assigns
assigns it
it the
the mission
mission of
of developing
developing and
and conducting
conducting
a
a training
training program
program for
for Bomarc
Bomarc missile
missile units.
units. The
The Bomarc
Bomarc isis
an
an unmanned
unmanned supersonic
supersonic interceptor
interceptor capable
capable of
of destroying
destroying
targets
targets at
at ranges
ranges between
between 250
250 and
and 450
450 nautical
nautical miles.
miles.
31
31 January:
January: Explorer
Explorer I,I, the
the first
first U .S. satellite
U.S. satellite to
to go
go into
into orbit,
orbit,
is
is launched
launched by
by aa Jupiter
Jupiter CC rocket
rocket from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral..
88 February:
February : The
The USAF
USAF institutes
institutes systems
systems management
management of of aa
ballistic
ballistic early
early warning
warning system
system when
when it it contracts
contracts with
with RCA
RCA to
to
manage
manage existing
existing communications
communications facilities,
facilities, including
including the
the
distant
distant early
early warning
warning line
line and
and SAGE
SAGE systems,
systems, designed
designed to
to
provide
provide maximum
maximum early
early warning
warning toto the
the North
North American
American Air
Air
Defense
Defense Command,
Command, SAC,
SAC, and
and civil
civil defense
defense agencies
agencies..
27
27 February:
February: Missile
Missile Director
Director William
William M.
M. Holaday
Holaday approves
approves
USAF's
USAF's Minuteman
Minuteman Project,
Project, aa program
program for
for building
building 5,000-
5,000-
mile-range
mile-range solid-fuel
solid-fuel ballistic
ballistic missiles
missiles launched
launched from
from under-
under-
ground
ground installations
installations..
17 March : Vanguard
17 March: Vanguard I,I, second
second U.S.
U.S. satellite
satellite to
to go
go into
into orbit,
orbit,
is
is launched from Cape
launched from Cape Canaveral.
Canaveral.
28
28 April
April:: After
After an
an in-flight
in-flight explosion,
explosion, the
the pilot
pilot and
and navigator
navigator of
of
a
a 341st Bombardment Wing
341st Bombardment Wing B-47
B-47 eject
eject successfully.
successfully. While
While
attempting
attempting to egress, the
to egress, the copilot,
copilot, 1st
1st Lt
Lt James
James E.E. Obenauf,
Obenauf,
notices
notices another
another crew
crew member
member unconscious
unconscious andand incapable
incapable of
of

223
3
escape.
escape. Instead
Instead ofof ejecting,
ejecting, Lieutenant
Lieutenant Obenauf
Obenauf remains
remains onon
the crippled and
the crippled and burning
burning aircraft,
aircraft, piloting
piloting it
it from
from the
the
backseat
backseat position
position to
to aa safe
safe landing
landing at
at Dyess
Dyess AFB,
AFB, Texas.
Texas. He
He
will
will receive
receive the
the Distinguished
Distinguished Flying
Flying Cross
Cross for
for his
his heroism.
heroism.
27 June: At
27 June: Cape Canaveral
At Cape Canaveral the
the 556th
556th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile
Squadron
Squadron successfully
successfully completes
completes the
the first
first military
military launching
launching
of
of a
a Snark
Snark intercontinental
intercontinental cruise
cruise missile.
missile.
9
9 July
July:: A USAF Thor-Able
A USAF Thor-Able reentry
reentry test
test vehicle,
vehicle, in the first
in the first
nose cone test at ICBM range and velocity, carries a mouse
nose cone test at ICBM range and velocity, carries a mouse
some
some 6,000
6,000 miles
miles over
over the
the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
Ocean in in flight
flight from
from
Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral toto the
the Ascension
Ascension Island
Island area
area..
15
15 July
July:: After
After Lebanon
Lebanon asks
asks the
the U.S.
U.S. for
for assistance,
assistance, Tactical
Tactical
Air Command (TAC) dispatches Composite Air Strike Force
Air Command (TAC) dispatches Composite Air Strike Force
Bravo
Bravo to
to the
the Middle
Middle East
East in
in 12
12 hours.
hours.
11 August:
August: A A missile-borne
missile-borne nuclear
nuclear weapon
weapon detonates
detonates atat
high
high altitude
altitude over Johnston Island
over Johnston Island in
in the
the Pacific
Pacific as
as part
part of
of a
a
program to develop an anti-ICBM defense .
program to develop an anti-ICBM defense.
28
28 August:
August: Cape Canaveral launches
Cape Canaveral launches an
an Atlas
Atlas ICBM
ICBM that
that
accurately flies a 3,000-mile course and lands in the target
accurately flies a 3,000-mile course and lands in the target
area
area in
in the first test
the first test of
of radio-command
radio-command guidance
guidance system.
system.
September:
September: Responding
Responding to to Chinese
Chinese communist
communist threats
threats to
to
the
the Taiwan
Taiwan Straits,
Straits, aa TAC
TAC Composite
Composite Strike
Strike Force
Force (that
(that
includes
includes F-100
F-100 Super
Super Sabres,
Sabres, F-101
F-101 Voodoos,
Voodoos, B-57
B-57
Canberras,
Canberras, and
and C-130
C-130 Hercules)
Hercules) deploys
deploys to
to the
the Far
Far East.
East.
Its
Its rapid
rapid and
and effective
effective deployment
deployment wins
wins the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy.
Trophy.
24
24 September:
September: A A Bomarc
Bomarc missile
missile pilotless
pilotless interceptor
interceptor
launches from Cape Canaveral by a semiautomatic ground-
launches from Cape Canaveral by a semiautomatic ground-
environment
environment unit
unit inin Kingston,
Kingston, New
New York,
York, destroying
destroying a
a
1,000-mph
1,000-mph target flying 48,000
target flying 48,000 feet
feet over
over the
the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
Ocean
at
at a
a distance
distance of 75 miles.
of 75 miles.
1I October:
October: The National Aeronautics
The National Aeronautics and
and Space
Space Adminis-
Adminis-
tration (NASA) is established to control nonmilitary scientific
tration (NASA) is established to control nonmilitary scientific
space
space projects.
projects.
11 October:: A
II October A USAF-launched
USAF-launched Pioneer
Pioneer II lunar
lunar probe
probe vehicle
vehicle
attains
attains aa height
height of
of approximately
approximately 80,000
80,000 miles
miles before
before falling
falling
back to the earth on 13 October.
back to the earth on 13 October.

24
24
16
16 December
December:: TheThe Pacific
Pacific Missile
Missile Range
Range begins
begins launching
launching
operations with the successful flight of a Thor missile, the
operations with the successful flight of a Thor missile, the
first
first ballistic
ballistic missile
missile launched
launched over
over the
the Pacific
Pacific Ocean.
Ocean.
18
18 December:
December: The USAF places
The USAF places in
in orbit
orbit the
the first
first artificial
artificial
communications
communications satellite,
satellite, a
a Project
Project Score
Score relay
relay vehicle
vehicle
integral
integral with
with the
the four-ton
four-ton Atlas
Atlas launcher.
launcher. The
The next
next day,
day, the
the
satellite broadcasts a
satellite broadcasts a taped
taped recording
recording of
of President
President Dwight
Dwight
D.
D. Eisenhower's Christmas message.
Eisenhower's Christmas message.

195»
15
15 January:
January: SACSAC orders
orders the
the first
first integration
integration of
of missile
missile and
and
bomber forces by
bomber forces by transferring
transferring the
the 703d
703d Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile
Wing
Wing (ICBM
(ICBM Titan)
Titan) and
and the
the 706th
706th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing
Wing
(ICBM
(ICBM Atlas)
Atlas) from
from 1st
1st Missile
Missile Division
Division to
to Fifteenth
Fifteenth Air
Air
Force.
Force.
21
21 January:
January: The
The U .S . Army's
U.S. Army's first
first tactical
tactical Jupiter
Jupiter
intermediate-range
intermediate-range ballistic
ballistic missile
missile strikes
strikes target
target area
area after
after
a
a 1,700-mile
1,700-mile flight test. The
flight test. The Jupiter
Jupiter will
will eventually
eventually become
become
a
a USAF
USAF weapon
weapon system.
system.
11 February
February:: Operational
Operational control
control of
of the
the distant early warning
distant early warning
line
line is
is transferred
transferred from
from USAF
USAF to
to Royal
Royal Canadian
Canadian Air
Air Force.
Force.
66 February
February:: The
The USAF
USAF successfully
successfully launches
launches the
the first
first Titan
Titan
II ICBM
ICBM.. With
With aa range
range ofof 5,500
5,500 nautical
nautical miles,
miles, the
the two-stage
two-stage
liquid-fueled missile will be deployed in underground silos
liquid-fueled missile will be deployed in underground silos
but
but has
has to
to be
be raised
raised to
to the
the surface
surface before
before launch.
launch.
12
12 February
February:: SAC
SAC retires
retires its
its last
last B-36
B-36 Peacemaker
Peacemaker to
to
become
become an
an alljet
all-jet bomber
bomber force.
force.
28
28 February
February:: TheThe USAF
USAF successfully
successfully launches
launches the
the
Discoverer
Discoverer II satellite
satellite into
into polar
polar orbit
orbit from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB,
AFB,
California.
California.
6
6 April
April:: NASA announces that
NASA announces that seven
seven pilots
pilots from
from U.S
U.S..
armed
armed services
services are
are chosen
chosen for
for the
the Mercury
Mercury astronaut
astronaut
program established to train the first U .S .
program established to train the first U.S. space
space pilot.
pilot.
Among
Among those selected are
those selected are USAF
USAF Capts
Capts L. L. Gordon
Gordon Cooper
Cooper
Jr
Jr.,., Virgil
Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom,
I. "Gus" Grissom, andand Donald
Donald K. K. "Deke"
"Deke"
Slayton.
Slayton.

225
5
23
23 April
April:: The
The GAM-77
GAM-77 Hound
Hound Dog supersonic missile
Dog supersonic missile
designed
designed to to deliver a nuclear
deliver a nuclear warhead
warhead over
over aa distance
distance of
of
several
several hundred
hundred miles test-fires for
miles test-fires for the
the first
first time
time from
from aa
B-52
B-52 bomber
bomber at at Eglin
Eglin AFB,
AFB, Florida.
Florida.
28
28 May:
May: Monkeys
Monkeys Able and Baker
Able and Baker are
are recovered
recovered alive
alive from
from
the Atlantic Ocean near Antigua Island after a flight to an
the Atlantic Ocean near Antigua Island after a flight to an
altitude
altitude of 300 miles
of 300 miles in
in the
the nose
nose cone
cone of
of a
a Jupiter
Jupiter missile
missile
launched from Cape Canaveral
launched from Cape Canaveral. .
3
3 June
June:: The
The Air
Air Force
Force Academy
Academy graduates
graduates the first class
the first class of
of
207 graduates . Two hundred and five receive commissions
207 graduates. Two hundred and five receive commissions
as
as regular
regular officers
officers in
in USAF.
USAF.
88 June
June:: Piloted
Piloted by
by Scott
Scott Crossfield,
Crossfield, the
the seven and one-half-
seven and one-half-
ton
ton X-15
X-15 hypersonic rocket plane,
hypersonic rocket plane, designed
designed for
for speeds
speeds up
up to
to
4,000 mph and altitudes to 100 miles, drops
4,000 mph and altitudes to 100 miles, drops from
from aa B-52
B-52
more than seven
more than seven miles
miles above
above thethe Mojave
Mojave Desert
Desert for
for aa
nonpowered
nonpowered glide
glide test its first
test—its first free
free flight
flight..
77 August: Two USAF
August: Two USAF F-100s make the
F-100s make the first
first flight
flight by
by jet
jet
fighter
fighter aircraft
aircraft over
over the
the North
North Pole.
Pole.
9 September: A
9 September: A SAC
SAC crew
crew fires an Atlas
fires an Atlas ICBM
ICBM for
for the
the first
first
time from Vandenberg AFB. The missile travels 4,300
time from Vandenberg AFB. The missile travels 4,300 miles
miles
at 16,000 mph.
at 16,000 mph. After
After this
this shot,
shot, SAC's
SAC's commander
commander in in chief
chief
declares Atlas operational.
declares Atlas operational.
11 October:
October: TheThe USAF
USAF Aerospace
Aerospace Medical
Medical Center activates at
Center activates at
Brooks AFB, Texas, absorbing
Brooks AFB, Texas, absorbing the
the former
former School
School of
of Aviation
Aviation
Medicine,
Medicine, thethe USAF
USAF Hospital
Hospital at
at La .ckland AFB,
Lackland AFB, Texas,
Texas, and
and
other
other facilities
facilities..
28
28 October-19
October-19 December
December:: The
The 4520th Aerial Demonstration
4520th Aerial Demonstration
Team, better known
Team, better known as
as the
the Thunderbirds,
Thunderbirds, tours the Far
tours the Far East,
East,
earning the Mackay Trophy.
earning the Mackay Trophy.
31
31 October:
October: AA Series
Series D Atlas ICBM
D Atlas ICBM goes
goes onon alert
alert at
at
Vandenberg AFB. This is the first American ICBM equipped
Vandenberg AFB. This is the first American ICBM equipped
with
with a
a nuclear
nuclear warhead to be
warhead to be placed
placed on
on alert
alert status
status..

14960
I960
May: SAC places
May: SAC places one-third
one-third of
of its
its bombers and tankers
bombers and tankers on
on
15-minute
15-minute ground alert.
ground alert.

26
26
A three-man aircrew scrambles for its B-58 Hustler. The delta-wing aircraft
was well named since it could fly at twice the speed of sound.

1I August:
August: SAC's
SAC's 43d
43d Bombardment
Bombardment Wing at Carswell
Wing at Carswell AFB
AFB
accepts
accepts the first operational
the first operational B-58 Hustler medium
B-58 Hustler medium
bomber. The
bomber. The United
United States's
States's first supersonic bomber, the
first supersonic bomber, the
delta-wing aircraft flies at twice the speed of sound and
delta-wing aircraft flies at twice the speed of sound and
can
can be refueled in-flight.
be refueled in-flight.
11 August : Recovery
II August: Recovery of of aa 300-pound capsule ejected
300-pound capsule ejected by
by
USAF's Discoverer VII marks the first recovery of an object
USAF's Discoverer XIII marks the first recovery of an object
ejected
ejected byby an orbiting satellite.
an orbiting Planned aerial
satellite. Planned aerial retrieval
retrieval is
is
abandoned
abandoned whenwhen the capsule lands outside the designated
the capsule lands outside the designated
area
area;; recovery is made
recovery is made by U .S. Navy
by U.S. Navy frogmen.
frogmen.
19
19 August: Piloting a
August: Piloting a C-119,
C-119, Capt
Capt Harold
Harold F.F. Mitchell, USAF,
Mitchell, USAF,
retrieves the Discoverer
retrieves the Discoverer MV
XIV reentry
reentry capsule
capsule in in midair.
midair. This
This
is the first successful aerial recovery of a returning space
is the first successful aerial recovery of a returning space
capsule
capsule.. The
The 6593d Test Squadron
6593d Test Squadron (Special)
(Special) wins
wins the
the
Mackay Trophy for the aerial recovery of reentry vehicles .
Mackay Trophy for the aerial recovery of reentry vehicles.

27
27
30
30 August:
August: With
With sixsix Atlas
Atlas missiles
missiles ready
ready to
to launch,
launch, the
the
564th Strategic Missile Squadron at Francis E. Warren AFB
564th Strategic Missile Squadron at Francis E. Warren AFB
becomes
becomes the
the first
first fully
fully operational
operational ICBM
ICBM squadron
squadron..
19
19 December:
December: In
In an
an unmanned
unmanned test
test of
of the
the Mercury
Mercury space
space
capsule,
capsule, NASA
NASA uses
uses a Redstone rocket
a Redstone booster to
rocket booster to launch
launch the
the
capsule from Cape Canaveral. The vehicle attains a speed of
capsule from Cape Canaveral. The vehicle attains a speed of
4,200
4,200 mph,
mph, aa height
height of
of 135
135 miles,
miles, and
and aa distance
distance ofof 235
235
miles.
miles. Landing
Landing safely
safely by
by parachute,
parachute, it
it is
is recovered
recovered within
within 32
32
minutes.
minutes.

14961
1061
31 January:
31 January: AA Redstone
Redstone booster
booster carrying
carrying Ham,
Ham, aa chimpanzee,
chimpanzee,
in a Mercury space capsule launches from Cape Canaveral on
in a Mercury space capsule launches from Cape Canaveral on
an
an 18-minute,
18-minute, 420-mile
420-mile flight
flight.. Ham
Ham performs
performs well
well during
during the
the
flight,
flight, apparently
apparently suffering
suffering no
no ill-effects
ill-effects..
11 February:
February: The
The ballistic
ballistic missile
missile early
early warning
warning system
system
(BMEWS)
(BMEWS) sitesite at
at Thule,
Thule, Greenland,
Greenland, becomes operational..
becomes operational
Subsequently,
Subsequently, otherother sites
sites become
become operational
operational atat Clear,
Clear,
Alaska, and Fylingdales
Alaska, and Fylingdales in in the
the United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom. Operated
Operated
by
by the
the North American Air
North American Air Defense
Defense Command,
Command, the the BMEWS
BMEWS
provides SAC with
provides SAC sufficient warning
with sufficient warning ofof an
an impending
impending
missile
missile or
or aircraft
aircraft attack
attack to
to launch
launch its
its own
own alert
alert force.
force.
11 February:
February: A
A Minuteman
Minuteman ICBM
ICBM launches
launches for
for the
the first
first time
time at
at
Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral inin aa major test.. Under
major test Under full guidance, the
full guidance, the
solid-fueled
solid-fueled missile
missile travels
travels 4,600
4,600 miles,
miles, hitting
hitting the
the target
target area.
area.
33 February:
February: SAC initiates the
SAC initiates the Looking Glass airborne
Looking Glass airborne
command post. Maintaining continuous 24-hour coverage
command post. Maintaining continuous 24-hour coverage
in
in shifts, Looking Glass
shifts, Looking Glass aircraft
aircraft are
are converted
converted KC-135
KC-135
Stratotankers
Stratotankers equipped
equipped toto communicate
communicate withwith the
the Joint
Joint
Chiefs of Staff, any SAC base, or any SAC aircraft in the air
Chiefs of Staff, any SAC base, or any SAC aircraft in the air
or
or on
on the
the ground.
ground.
13 February:
13 February: The
The USAF
USAF successfully
successfully launches
launches its
its new
new
solid-fueled, air-to-surface
solid-fueled, air-to-surface missile,
missile, GAM-83B
GAM-83B Bullpup,
Bullpup, at
at
supersonic
supersonic speedspeed from
from an
an F-100
F-100 Super
Super Sabre.
Sabre. A
A modified
modified
version
version of of aa U.S
U.S.. Navy
Navy missile,
missile, GAM-83B can carry
GAM-83B can carry aa
nuclear weapon. The pilot of the parent airplane can guide
nuclear weapon. The pilot of the parent airplane can guide
it
it to target .
to target.

28
28
77 March: SAC declares
March: SAC declares operational
operational the
the Quail,
Quail, aa diversionary
diversionary
missile
missile (GAM-72A)
(GAM-72A) to to be
be used
used with the B-52.
with the B-52.
17
17 April:
April: A
A constant-altitude
constant-altitude balloon,
balloon, launched at Vernalis,
launched at Vernalis,
California, by USAF's Cambridge Research Center, remains
California, by USAF's Cambridge Research Center, remains
at 70,000 feet
at 70,000 for nine
feet for nine days
days with
with aa 40-pound
40-pound payload.
payload.
33 May
May:: An
An Air
Air Force Systems Command
Force Systems Command (AFSC)
(AFSC) crew
crew
launches
launches aa Titan ICBM from
Titan II ICBM from aa hard
hard "silo
"silo lift"
lift" launcher
launcher for
for
the
the first
first time
time at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.
26
26 May:
May: A B-58 Hustler
A B-58 Hustler supersonic
supersonic bomber
bomber from
from the
the 43d
43d
Bombardment
Bombardment WingWing sets
sets aa record
record flying
flying from
from NewNew York
York to
to
Paris in three hours, 19 minutes,
Paris in three hours, 19 minutes, 41
41 seconds
seconds at
at an
an average
average
speed of 1,302
speed of 1,302 mph.
mph. The
The crew,
crew, consisting
consisting ofof Maj
Maj William
William R.
R.
Payne,
Payne, Capt
Capt William
William L. Polhemus, and
L. Polhemus, and Capt
Capt Raymond
Raymond
Wagener, win
Wagener, win the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for the
the flight.
flight.
11 June:
June: At
At Kincheloe AFB, Michigan,
Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, the
the first
first Bomarc-B
Bomarc-B
pilotless
pilotless interceptor site is
interceptor site is declared
declared operational.
operational.
99 June:
June: Delivery
Delivery of
of the
the first C-135 Stratolifter
first C-135 Stratolifter jet
jet cargo
cargo
aircraft marks
aircraft marks the
the beginning
beginning of of modernization
modernization of
of MATS's
MATS's
former all-propeller-driven fleet.
former all-propeller-driven fleet.
July:: SAC
July SAC places
places 50
50 percent
percent of
of its
its bombers and tankers
bombers and tankers on
on
15-minute ground alert.
15-minute ground alert.
11 July:
July: The
The North
North American
American Air Defense Command
Air Defense Command begins
begins
operation
operation of space detection
of aa space detection and
and tracking
tracking system
system designed
designed
to
to provide
provide electronic
electronic cataloging
cataloging of
of man-made
man-made space
space objects..
objects
21
21 July:
July: America's second Project
America's second Project Mercury
Mercury astronaut,
astronaut, Capt
Capt
Virgil I., Grissom, USAF, attains an altitude of 118 miles and
Virgil I., Grissom, USAF, attains an altitude of 118 miles and
aa speed
speed ofof 5,310
5,310 mph
mph in 303-mile suborbital
in aa 303-mile suborbital space
space flight
flight
from Cape
from Cape Canaveral
Canaveral in
in the
the Liberty
Liberty Bell
Bell 7
7 capsule
capsule launched
launched
by
by aa Mercury-Redstone booster..
Mercury-Redstone 44 booster
88 August:
August: The USAF launches
The USAF launches an
an Atlas
Atlas F
F missile from Cape
missile from Cape
Canaveral for
Canaveral for the
the first
first time
time.. The
The Atlas
Atlas F,F, designed
designed for
for
long-term storage of liquid fuels
long-term storage of liquid fuels and
and for
for shortened
shortened
countdown,
countdown, is the only
is the only Atlas
Atlas model
model destined for emplacement
destined for emplacement
in hardened
in hardened underground
underground silos.
silos.
13 September:: The
13 September The world-wide
world-wide Mercury tracking network
Mercury tracking network is
is
used for the first time in
used for the first time in observing
observing the
the orbit
orbit of
of an
an

29
29
unmanned
unmanned Mercury
Mercury vehicle.
vehicle. The
The test
test convinces
convinces NASA
NASA that
that
the
the Atlas
Atlas vehicle
vehicle is capable of
is capable of launching
launching aa man into orbit.
man into orbit.
19
19 September:
September: TheThe SAGE
SAGE Center
Center atat Gunter
Gunter AFB,
AFB, Alabama,
Alabama,
controls
controls the
the flight
flight of
of aa Bomarc
Bomarc B B pilotless
pilotless interceptor
interceptor from
from
launch at Eglin AFB to interception of a Regulus II
launch at Eglin AFB to interception of a Regulus II
supersonic
supersonic drone
drone atat an
an altitude
altitude of
of seven
seven miles
miles and
and distance
distance
of
of 250
250 miles
miles off
off the
the Florida
Florida coast.
coast. The
The missile
missile successfully
successfully
makes
makes aa U-turn
U-turn maneuver.
maneuver.
99 November:
November: Maj Maj Robert
Robert M.M. White,
White, USAF,
USAF, attains
attains aa top
top
speed of 4,093
speed of 4,093 mph
mph inin an
an X-15
X-15 hypersonic
hypersonic rocket
rocket plane
plane
while
while flying
flying at
at full
full throttle
throttle at
at an
an altitude
altitude of
of 101,600
101,600 feet.
feet.
17
17 November
November:: The
The USAF
USAF successfully
successfully launches
launches the
the first
first
Minuteman intercontinental missile from an underground
Minuteman intercontinental missile from an underground
silo
silo at
at Cape
Cape Canaveral. It flies
Canaveral. It flies 3,000
3,000 miles
miles down
down the
the Atlantic
Atlantic
Missile
Missile Range
Range..
29
29 November
November:: NASA's
NASA's Mercury
Mercury vehicle,
vehicle, containing
containing two
two
chimpanzees,
chimpanzees, successfully
successfully completes
completes aa two-orbit
two-orbit flight
flight
around
around the
the earth
earth after
after launch
launch from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral.
Canaveral.
11 December:
December: The
The first
first Minuteman
Minuteman Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, the
the
10th
10th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, is
is activated at Malmstrom
activated at Malmstrom
AFB,
AFB, Montana.
Montana.
15
15 December
December:: The North American
The North American Air
Air Defense
Defense Command's
Command's
SAGE
SAGE system
system becomes
becomes fully
fully operational
operational with
with completion
completion of
of
its
its 21 st and
21st and last
last control
control center
center at
at Sioux
Sioux City,
City, Iowa.
Iowa.

19642
1962
29
29 January: The last
January: The last Titan
Titan II test-fires
test-fires from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral
on a 5,000-mile flight. Of 47 shots, 34 are successful, nine
on a 5,000-mile flight. Of 47 shots, 34 are successful, nine
partially
partially successful,
successful, and
and four
four unsuccessful
unsuccessful..
2 February : A
2 February: A USAF
USAF C-123
C-123 Provider
Provider aircraft
aircraft crashes
crashes in
in
South
South Vietnam
Vietnam while
while spraying
spraying defoliant
defoliant during
during Operation
Operation
Ranch Hand. This is the first USAF aircraft loss in
Ranch Hand. This is the first USAF aircraft loss in South
South
Vietnam.
Vietnam.
5
5 March:
March: The
The crew
crew of
of a
a B-58
B-58 Hustler bomber assigned
Hustler bomber assigned to
to
the
the 43d
43d Bombardment
Bombardment WingWing sets
sets three
three speed
speed records
records in
in aa
round-trip
round-trip flight
flight between
between New
New York
York City
City and
and Los
Los Angeles,
Angeles,

30
30
Artist's conception of the hypersonic X-15 rocket plane as it is released
into flight from its mount below the wing of a B-52.

California . The
California. The Hustler
Hustler makes
makes thethe trip
trip in in four
four hours,
hours, 41
41
minutes, 15 seconds, averaging 1,044 .46
minutes, 15 seconds, averaging 1,044.46 mph.
mph. The crew
The crew
receives the
receives the Mackay Trophy for
Mackay Trophy for this
this flight
flight..
21 March: A
21 March: A bear
bear becomes
becomes the the first living creature
first living creature ejected
ejected
from a supersonic aircraft when the USAF tests an escape
from a supersonic aircraft when the USAF tests an escape
capsule designed
capsule designed for
for installation
installation in in the
the B-58
B-58.. Ejecting
Ejecting at
at
35,000 feet from a B-58 flying 870 mph, the bear lands
35,000 feet from a B-58 flying 870 mph, the bear lands
unharmed seven
unharmed seven minutes,
minutes, 4949 seconds
seconds later.
later.
18 April
18 At Lowry
April:: At AFB SAC
Lowry AFB SAC declares operational the
declares operational the USAF's
USAF's
first Titan
first Titan II squadron, the 724th
squadron, the 724th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron,
equipped with
equipped with nine
nine missiles, the first
missiles, the emplaced in
first emplaced in hardened,
hardened,
underground installations.
underground installations.
19 June : Astronaut
19 June: Capt Virgil
Astronaut Capt Virgil I.
I . Grissom,
Grissom, USAF,
USAF, receives
receives
the first Gen Thomas D . White USAF Space Trophy from
the first Gen Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy from
Secretary of
Secretary of the
the Air
Air Force Eugene M.
Force Eugene Zuckert for
M. Zuckert for his
his

3311
"outstanding
"outstanding contribution
contribution to
to the
the nation's
nation's progress
progress in
in
aerospace
aerospace in
in Mercury spacecraft Liberty
Mercury spacecraft Liberty Bell
Bell 77 flight."
flight."
29
29 June
June:: AA USAF
USAF team
team fires
fires the
the first
first Minuteman
Minuteman from
from an
an
underground
underground silo
silo at
at Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral to to a
a target
target area
area 2,300
2,300
miles
miles downrange.
downrange. This
This is
is the
the first
first Minuteman
Minuteman launched
launched byby
a
a military
military crew.
crew.
8
8 July:
July: A
A Thor
Thor rocket
rocket carries
carries aa megaton-plus
megaton-plus hydrogen
hydrogen
device to an altitude above 200 miles in a launch from
device to an altitude above 200 miles in a launch from
Johnston
Johnston Island
Island in in Operation
Operation Dominic.
Dominic. The
The detonation
detonation of
of
the
the nuclear device at
nuclear device that altitude
at that altitude marks
marks the
the highest
highest U.S.
U.S.
thermonuclear
thermonuclear blast.
blast.
17 July : Maj
17 July: Maj Robert
Robert M.
M. White,
White, USAF,
USAF, pilots
pilots the
the X-15-1
X-15-1
hypersonic
hypersonic experimental
experimental aircraft
aircraft to
to a
a world-record
world-record altitude
altitude
of
of 58.7
58.7 miles
miles during
during which
which the
the X-15
X-15 achieves
achieves its
its original
original
design
design altitude
altitude.. Maximum
Maximum speed
speed isis 3,784
3,784 mph.
mph.
19
19 July:
July: A
A Nike-Zeus
Nike-Zeus antimissile
antimissile missile
missile fired
fired from
from Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Island makes the first known interception of an ICBM when
Island makes the first known interception of an ICBM when
it
it brings
brings down
down the
the nose
nose cone
cone of
of an
an Atlas
Atlas missile
missile launched
launched
from Vandenberg AFB.
from Vandenberg AFB.
11 August:
August: The
The USAF
USAF launches
launches the the first
first Atlas
Atlas FF from
from anan
underground silo on a successful 5,000-mile flight from
underground silo on a successful 5,000-mile flight from
Vandenberg AFB to
Vandenberg AFB to the
the Pacific
Pacific Test
Test Range
Range inin the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of
the Marshall Islands.
the Marshall Islands.
9 August: The
9 August: The USAF gives the
USAF gives the first
first U.S. demonstration of
U.S. demonstration of
multiple-countdown
multiple-countdown capability
capability by
by launching
launching two
two Atlas
Atlas DD
missiles
missiles in
in rapid
rapid succession
succession from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral on
on
5,000-mile
5,000-mile flights.
flights.
14
14 October:
October: A
A U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force
Force reconnaissance
reconnaissance flight
flight proves
proves
the
the existence
existence of
of Russian
Russian missile
missile sites
sites in
in Cuba.
Cuba.
27 October: A
27 October: A 4080th
4080th Strategic
Strategic Wing
Wing U-2U-2 reconnaissance
reconnaissance
aircraft piloted by Maj Rudolf
aircraft piloted by Maj Rudolf Anderson
Anderson Jr
Jr.. is
is shot
shot down
down over
over
Cuba.
Cuba. Lost
Lost with his aircraft,
with his aircraft, Major Anderson posthumously
Major Anderson posthumously
receives the
receives the first
first Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross for
for his
his sacrifice
sacrifice. .
27
27 October:
October: SAC
SAC places
places on
on alert the first
alert the first ten
ten Minuteman
Minuteman II
ICBMs, assigned to the 10th SMS, 341st Missile Wing,
ICBMs, assigned to the 10th SMS, 341st Missile Wing,
Malmstrom
Malmstrom AFB.
AFB.

32
32
5
5 December
December:: The
The USAF
USAF completes
completes the
the Atlas
Atlas flight-test
flight-test
program with launch of an "F" model from Cape Canaveral
program with launch of an "F" model from Cape Canaveral
on
on a
a 5,000-mile
5,000-mile flight.
flight. Of
Of 151
151 missiles
missiles launched,
launched, 108
108 make
make
successful
successful flights.
flights.
11
11 December: SAC declares
December: SAC declares fully
fully operational
operational two
two flights
flights of
of
Minuteman I ICBMs assigned to the 10th Strategic Missile
Minuteman I ICBMs assigned to the 10th Strategic Missile
Squadron,
Squadron, Malmstrom
Malmstrom AFB.
AFB.
13-14 December
13-14 December:: TheThe USAF's
USAF's Project
Project Stargazer
Stargazer balloon,
balloon,
manned
manned by by Capt
Capt Joseph
Joseph A. A. Kittinger
Kittinger Jr.,
Jr., USAF,
USAF, and
and William
William
C.
C. White,
White, U.S. Navy civilian
U.S. Navy civilian astronomer,
astronomer, reach
reach anan altitude
altitude of
of
82,000 feet in
82,000 feet in anan 18 .5-hour flight over southwestern New
18.5-hour flight over southwestern New
Mexico.
Mexico. AA telescope
telescope mounted
mounted atopatop the
the gondola
gondola gives
gives White
White the
the
clearest
clearest celestial
celestial view
view ever
ever experienced
experienced byby an
an astronomer
astronomer..
22 December : A
22 December: A U.S.
U.S. Army
Army Nike-Zeus
Nike-Zeus antimissile
antimissile missile
missile
fired from Kwajalein Island intercepts an Atlas launched on
fired from Kwajalein Island intercepts an Atlas launched on
a
a 4,800-mile
4,800-mile flight
flight from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB,
AFB, demonstrating
demonstrating forfor
the first time the ability of a Nike-Zeus to discriminate
the first time the ability of a Nike-Zeus to discriminate
between
between an an intended
intended target
target and
and accompanying
accompanying decoys.
decoys.

1963
1963
66 February
February:: The 655th Aerospace
The 655th Aerospace Test
Test Wing
Wing crew
crew becomes
becomes
the
the first
first USAF
USAF unit
unit to
to launch
launch aa Titan
Titan II
II missile
missile in
in a
a firing
firing
from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral.
Canaveral.
11 March:
March: The
The USAF
USAF achieves
achieves its
its first
first successful
successful launch
launch of
of an
an
advanced ballistic reentry system in a firing from Cape
advanced ballistic reentry system in a firing from Cape
Canaveral.
Canaveral.
77 May:
May: Dr.
Dr. Theodore
Theodore von
von Karman,
Karman, distinguished
distinguished U .S .
U.S.
physicist, dies in
physicist, dies in Aachen,
Aachen, West
West Germany,
Germany, aa few
few days
days before
before
his
his 82d birthday.
82d birthday.
15
15 May:
May: Astronaut
Astronaut Maj Maj L.
L. Gordon
Gordon CooperCooper Jr.,Jr., USAF,
USAF,
launches
launches from
from Cape
Cape Canaveral
Canaveral in in Project
Project Mercury
Mercury capsule
capsule
Faith 7. On 16 May, after completing 22 orbits of earth in
Faith 7. On 16 May, after completing 22 orbits of earth in 34
34
hours,
hours, 19 minutes, 49
19 minutes, 49 seconds,
seconds, hehe lands
lands in in the
the Pacific
Pacific
about 60 miles southeast of Midway Island . He is the first
about 60 miles southeast of Midway Island. He is the first
American
American to to orbit
orbit the
the earth
earth for
for more
more than
than one
one day
day and
and the
the
last pilot of
last pilot of the
the Project
Project Mercury
Mercury series .
series.

33
33
88 June The 570th
June:: The 570th Strategic
Strategic Missile Squadron, the
Missile Squadron, the first
first
Titan II ICBM squadron to be operational, activates at
Titan II ICBM squadron to be operational, activates at
Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB,
AFB, Arizona,
Arizona, and is assigned
and is assigned to
to SAC.
SAC.
20
20 July:
July: The crew members
The crew members of of C-47
C-47 Extol
Extol Pink
Pink distinguish
distinguish
themselves in evacuating wounded Vietnamese at
themselves in evacuating wounded Vietnamese at night
night
under heavy enemy
under heavy enemy fire.
fire. Capts
Capts Warren
Warren P. Tomsett, John
P. Tomsett, John R.
R.
Ordemann, and Donald R. Mack TSgt
Ordemann, and Donald R. Mack;; TSgt Edsol
Edsol P.
P. Inlow;
Inlow; and
and
SSgts
SSgts Jack
Jack E. E. Morgan
Morgan and
and Frank
Frank C.C. Barrett
Barrett win
win the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy for this deed .
Trophy for this deed.
11 August
August:: NASA's
NASA's Mariner
Mariner II,
II, launched
launched by USAF on
by USAF on 27
27
August 1962 from Cape Canaveral, completes its first orbit
August 1962 from Cape Canaveral, completes its first orbit
around
around the
the sun.
sun. It
It traveled approximately 540
traveled approximately 540 million
million miles
miles
to complete the first solar orbit.
to complete the first solar orbit.
10 October:
10 October: Seven
Seven original
original members
members of of the Project Mercury
the Project Mercury
astronaut
astronaut team
team receive
receive the
the Collier
Collier Trophy.
Trophy.
16 October: At
16 October: Cape Canaveral
At Cape Canaveral the
the U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force inaugurates
inaugurates
a space-based
a space-based nuclear
nuclear detection
detection system
system by
by launching
launching twin
twin
satellites
satellites designed
designed toto assume
assume circular 7,000-mile-high orbits
circular 7,000-mile-high orbits
on
on opposite
opposite sides
sides of
of the
the earth.
earth. The 475-pound, 20-sided
The 475-pound, 20-sided
satellites,
satellites, known
known as Project Vela
as Project Vela Hotel
Hotel oror Project
Project 823,
823, are
are
designed
designed to detect nuclear
to detect nuclear explosions
explosions..
29
29 November
November:: By
By executive order, President
executive order, President Lyndon
Lyndon BB..
Johnson renames Cape Canaveral as
Johnson renames Cape Canaveral as Cape
Cape Kennedy
Kennedy and
and
redesignates
redesignates space facilities there
space facilities as the
there as the John
John F.
F. Kennedy
Kennedy
Space Center.
Space Center.
17
17 December
December:: USAF's
USAF's new C-141A Starlifter
new C-141A Starlifter jet
jet cargo
cargo
transport flies for the first time at Dobbins AFB, Georgia.
transport flies for the first time at Dobbins AFB, Georgia.
Capable
Capable of crossing any
of crossing any ocean
ocean nonstop
nonstop at
at more
more thanthan 500
500
mph, the Starlifter can transport 154 troops,
mph, the Starlifter can transport 154 troops, 123
123 para-
para-
troopers,
troopers, or
or a combination of
a combination of men
men and
and supplies It can
supplies.. It can carry
carry aa
70,000-pound payload.
70,000-pound payload.

11964
~)(i4
8
8 April:
April: The
The USAF's Titan IIII launch
USAF's Titan launch booster
booster blasts into orbit
blasts into orbit
the first Gemini
the first Gemini spacecraft
spacecraft. . The
The Gemini
Gemini series
series comprises
comprises the
the
first
first U.S .-manned. orbital
U.S.-manned orbital spacecraft
spacecraft..

34
34
21 April : The
21 April: The number
number ofof SAC
SAC ICBMs
ICBMs on on alert
alert equals
equals the
the
number
number of of bombers
bombers onon ground
ground alert.
alert. From
From this day forward,
this day forward,
the
the share
share of of nuclear
nuclear deterrence
deterrence shouldered
shouldered byby the
the missile
missile
force will gradually outstrip that shouldered by the main
force will gradually outstrip that shouldered by the main
bomber force
bomber force..
11
11 May
May:: The
The USAF's
USAF's XB-70
XB-70 Valkyrie,
Valkyrie, built by North
built by North
American Aviation, rolls out at
American Aviation, rolls out at Palmdale,
Palmdale, California
California..
Designed
Designed to to fly
fly three
three times
times the
the speed
speed of
of sound
sound and
and at
at
altitudes
altitudes above
above 70,000
70,000 feet,
feet, the
the 275-ton
275-ton aircraft
aircraft measures
measures
185 feet in
185 feet length and
in length and 105
105 feet
feet in
in wing
wing span.
span.
27
27 July
July:: The
The 1964
1964 Daniel
Daniel Guggenheim
Guggenheim Medal
Medal is
is awarded
awarded
posthumously
posthumously toto Dr. Robert H.
Dr. Robert Goddard, the
H. Goddard, the pioneer
pioneer rocket
rocket
scientist.
scientist.
28
28 July:
July: NASA's
NASA's Ranger
Ranger VII
VII spacecraft
spacecraft launches
launches from
from Cape
Cape
Kennedy on a flight to the moon . On 31 July Ranger VII will
Kennedy on a flight to the moon. On 31 July Ranger VII will
complete its
complete its mission
mission of of taking
taking and
and relaying
relaying 4,316
4,316 high-
high-
quality close-up pictures of the lunar surface before
quality close-up pictures of the lunar surface before
crashing
crashing into
into an
an area
area northwest
northwest ofof the
the Sea of Clouds
Sea of Clouds..
19 August: Syncom
19 August: Syncom III III communications
communications satellite
satellite is
is launched
launched
by
by Thor-Delta
Thor-Delta launch
launch vehicle
vehicle.. By
By 2323 September after several
September after several
weeks of minor maneuvers, it will achieve almost perfect
weeks of minor maneuvers, it will achieve almost perfect
stationary
stationary position
position (apogee
(apogee 22,311
22,311 miles,
miles, perigee
perigee 22,164
22,164
miles) above the equator and international date line . For
miles) above the equator and international date line. For 1515
days
days from
from 77 October,
October, itit will
will transmit
transmit the Olympic Games
the Olympic Games fromfrom
Tokyo, Japan. It is the
Tokyo, Japan. It is the world's
world's first
first geostationary
geostationary satellite.
satellite.
1I September: USAF Capts
September: USAF Capts Albert
Albert R.R. Crews
Crews and Richard E.
and Richard E.
Lawler complete a two-week stay in a simulated space cabin
Lawler complete a two-week stay in a simulated space cabin
at
at General
General Electric
Electric Space Center, Valley
Space Center, Valley Forge,
Forge, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania.
According to officials, the test demonstrates that man
According to officials, the test demonstrates that man can
can
perform
perform more
more tasks
tasks in
in extended
extended space flight than
space flight than previously
previously
assumed.
assumed.
11
II September:
September: The
The USAF
USAF announces
announces the retirement of
the retirement of two
two
squadrons of Atlas ICBMs and impending retirement of 105
squadrons of Atlas ICBMs and impending retirement of 105
more liquid-fueled
more liquid-fueled missiles
missiles made
made obsolete
obsolete by
by the
the solid-fueled
solid-fueled
Minuteman.
Minuteman.
17 September:: President
17 September President Johnson
Johnson announces
announces that the United
that the United
States is installing recently developed, over-the-horizon-type
States is installing recently developed, over-the-horizon-type

35
35
radar
radar capable
capable of "seeing" around
of "seeing" around the
the curvature
curvature of
of the
the earth
earth
and
and of
of detecting
detecting a
a missile
missile shortly
shortly after
after its
its launch.
launch.
21
21 September:
September: At At Palmdale,
Palmdale, California,
California, the
the B-70A
B-70A Valkyrie
Valkyrie
flies
flies for
for the
the first
first time
time..
17-26
17-26 November:
November: C-130C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircrews
aircrews ofof the
the 464th
464th Troop
Troop
Carrier
Carrier Wing
Wing carry
carry Belgiam
Belgiam paratroopers
paratroopers to to deal
deal with
with unrest
unrest
in
in Zaire,
Zaire, the
the former
former Belgiam
Belgiam Congo,
Congo, airlifting
airlifting refugees
refugees to
to France
France
on
on return
return flights
flights.. The
The airlift
airlift is
is instrumental
instrumental in in saving
saving the
the lives
lives
of nearly 2,000 hostages and wins the Mackay'rrophy.
of nearly 2,000 hostages and wins the Mackay Trophy.
21
21 December:
December: A A USAF
USAF F-111A
F-l 11A (later
(later nicknamed
nicknamed Aardvark)
Aardvark)
variable-sweep-wing
variable-sweep-wing fighter
fighter makes
makes aa successful
successful maiden
maiden
flight
flight at Carswell AFB.
at Carswell AFB.
22
22 December
December:: President
President Johnson
Johnson approves
approves the
the inclusion
inclusion in
in
fiscal
fiscal year
year (FY)
(FY) 1966
1966 budget
budget of
of funds
funds for
for development
development ofof the
the
C-5A
C-5A transport,
transport, later
later nicknamed
nicknamed Galaxy.
Galaxy. The
The new
new aircraft
aircraft can
can
carry
carry 345
345 troops
troops or
or up
up to
to 250,000
250,000 pounds
pounds ofof cargo
cargo to
to 6,500
6,500
miles,
miles, without
without refueling,
refueling, at
at a
a speed
speed of
of approximately
approximately 550
550 mph.
mph.
22 December : The
22 December: The new
new USAF
USAF strategic
strategic reconnaissance
reconnaissance
plane,
plane, the
the SR-71
SR-71 Blackbird,
Blackbird, in
in its
its first
first flight
flight at
at Palmdale
Palmdale
exceeds
exceeds an
an altitude
altitude of
of 45,000
45,000 feet
feet and
and speed
speed of
of 1,000
1,000 mph.
mph.
The USAF team that tested the SR-71 will receive the
The USAF team that tested the SR-71 will receive the
Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.

196`5
1965
1 January:
January: The
The USAF's
USAF's first
first SR-71
SR-71 Blackbird
Blackbird unit,
unit, the
the 4200th
4200th
Strategic
Strategic Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance Wing,
Wing, activates
activates at
at Beale
Beale AFB,
AFB,
California.
California.
18
18 January:
January: The
The short-range
short-range attackattack missile
missile program
program isis
announced by the President in his defense message to
announced by the President in his defense message to
Congress
Congress.. Launched
Launched from
from aa B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress or
or FB-111
FB-111
Aardvark,
Aardvark, the
the nuclear-tipped
nuclear-tipped missile
missile can
can hit
hit targets
targets 50
50
nautical miles from the aircraft .
nautical miles from the aircraft.
21
21 January:
January: The
The Air
Air Force
Force Cambridge
Cambridge Research
Research Laboratories,
Laboratories,
Office
Office of
of Aerospace
Aerospace Research,
Research, Hanscom
Hanscom AFB,
AFB, Massachusetts,
Massachusetts,
"bounces"
"bounces" a a laser
laser beam
beam off
off the
the Explorer
Explorer 2222 ionospheric
ionospheric
beacon
beacon satellite
satellite and
and photographically
photographically records
records its
its reflection
reflection..

36
36
44 February:
February: Air
Air Defense
Defense Command
Command fighter
fighter pilots
pilots score
score their
their
first
first interception
interception of
of a
a Bomarc
Bomarc drone
drone target.
target. It
It was
was flying
flying at
at
more
more than
than 1,500 mph at
1,500 mph at an
an altitude
altitude of
of more
more than
than 50,000
50,000
feet.
feet.
88 February:
February: The
The USAF performs its
USAF performs its first
first retaliatory
retaliatory air
air strike
strike
in
in North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam. AA North
North American
American F-100
F-100 Super
Super Sabre
Sabre
flies
flies cover
cover for
for attacking
attacking South
South Vietnamese fighter aircraft,
Vietnamese fighter aircraft,
suppressing ground fire in the target area .
suppressing ground fire in the target area.
18 February:: First
18 February First USAF
USAF jet
jet raids
raids are
are flown
flown against
against enemy
enemy
concentrations
concentrations in
in South
South Vietnam.
Vietnam. American pilots fly
American pilots fly Martin
Martin
B-57
B-57 Canberra
Canberra bombers
bombers and
and F-100
F-100 fighters
fighters against
against the
the
Vietcong
Vietcong in
in South
South Vietnam
Vietnam near
near An
An Khe.
Khe.
11 March: As a
March: As a test,
test, the
the first
first launch
launch of
of an
an ICBM
ICBM from
from an
an opera-
opera-
tional
tional base
base is
is made
made from
from Ellsworth
Ellsworth AFB,
AFB, South
South Dakota.
Dakota. A
A
short-range, tethered, and unarmed Minuteman I missile is
short-range, tethered, and unarmed Minuteman I missile is
used
used..
55 March:
March: USAF's
USAF's F-111
F-lll completes
completes its
its first
first supersonic
supersonic flight
flight
at
at Fort
Fort Worth,
Worth, Texas.
Texas.
23
23 March:
March: Gemini
Gemini 3, the first
3, the first two-man
two-man U.S
U.S.. space
space capsule,
capsule,
is
is launched
launched into
into orbit
orbit from
from the
the Air
Air Force
Force Eastern
Eastern Test
Test
Range,
Range, Patrick
Patrick AFB, Florida.
AFB, Florida.
20
20 April
April:: The
The last
last Atlas
Atlas F
F to
to leave
leave aa SAC
SAC operational
operational base
base
is
is shipped
shipped from
from the
the 551st
551st SMS,
SMS, Lincoln
Lincoln AFB,
AFB, Nebraska,
Nebraska,
to storage facilities for future use as a launch vehicle
to storage facilities for future use as a launch vehicle in
in
various
various research
research andand development
development programs
programs.. This
This
completes the phaseout of SAC's first generation of
completes the phaseout of SAC's first generation of
ICBMs.
ICBMs.
23 April: The
23 April: The first operational Lockheed
first operational Lockheed C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter
aircraft is delivered
aircraft is to Travis
delivered to Travis AFB,
AFB, California
California..
22 May:
May: An
An Oklahoma
Oklahoma Air
Air National
National Guard
Guard (ANG)
(ANG) "Talking
"Talking
Bird"
Bird" C-97
C-97 command
command post post flies
flies to
to the
the Caribbean
Caribbean area
area to
to
support
support U.S. forces in
U.S. forces in the
the Dominican
Dominican Republic Air Reserve
Republic.. Air Reserve
transports airlift 4,547 tons of cargo and 5,436 passengers
transports airlift 4,547 tons of cargo and 5,436 passengers
supporting the U
supporting the .S. Air
U.S. Air Force
Force mission.
mission.
10
10 May:
May: Tactical control of
Tactical control aircraft in
of aircraft battle areas
in battle areas is
is
assigned to USAF
assigned to USAF by
by the
the Joint
Joint Chiefs
Chiefs of
of Staff.
Staff.

7
337
44 June:
June : USAF
USAF space pilots Majs
space pilots James A.
Majs James A. McDivitt
McDivitt and
and
Edward
Edward H. White set
H. White set a U .S. space
a U.S. space endurance
endurance record lasting
record lasting
97 hours, 30 seconds in a 63-orbit trip. During the Gemini
97 hours, 30 seconds in a 63-orbit trip. During the Gemini
44 mission,
mission, White takes a
White takes 23-minute walk
a 23-minute walk inin space
space toto
become
become the first U.S
the first U.S.. astronaut
astronaut to
to accomplish
accomplish this
this feat.
feat.
18
18 June:
June: SAC
SAC B-52s
B-52s are used for
are used for the
the first
first time in Vietnam
time in Vietnam
when
when 28 aircraft, flying
28 aircraft, flying from Guam, strike
from Guam, strike Vietcong
Vietcong targets
targets
near Saigon
near Saigon..
29 June: X-15
29 June: X-15 hypersonic
hypersonic pilot
pilot Capt
Capt Joe Engle becomes
Joe Engle becomes the
the
12th and youngest
12th and youngest pilot
pilot to receive astronaut
to receive wings.
astronaut wings.
30
30 June
June:: The
The last
last of 800 Minuteman
of 800 Minuteman II ICBMs
ICBMs become
become
operational at Francis
operational at E. Warren
Francis E. Warren AFB
AFB when
when SAC accepts
SAC accepts
the fifth Minuteman
the fifth Minuteman wing
wing from
from the AFSC .
the AFSC.
10 July : Scoring
10 July: Scoring the first U.S
the first U.S.. Air Force air-to-air
Air Force air-to-air combat
combat
victory in
victory in Southeast Asia, two
Southeast Asia, F-4C aircrews
two F-4C aircrews of
of the
the 45th
45th

This picture of a painting from the USAF Art Collection, entitled "Victory
Over North Vietnam," depicts a MiG-21 in flames after engaging a USAF
F-4C.

38
Tactical Fighter Squadron
Tactical Fighter Squadron down two communist
down two communist MiG-17
MiG-17 jet
jet
fighters over
fighters over North Vietnam.
North Vietnam.
7 August: The
7 August: The first Minuteman II
first Minuteman II missile
missile is
is emplaced
emplaeed in
in its
its
silo
silo at
at Grand Forks AFB,
Grand Forks AFB, North
North Dakota.
Dakota.
21 August: The
21 August: The Gemini
Gemini 55 spacecraft
spacecraft carrying astronauts Lt
carrying astronauts Lt
Col Gordon Cooper,
Col Gordon Cooper, USAF,
USAF, and
and Lt
Lt Cmdr
Cmdr Charles
Charles Conrad,
Conrad,
USN,
USN, is launched into
is launched into orbit
orbit by Titan II
by aa Titan II booster
booster..
Splashdown
Splashdown will
will occur
occur 29 August with
29 August with a a record-breaking
record-breaking
120 revolutions around the earth. It establishes five
120 revolutions around the earth. It establishes five world
world
records, including four
records, including four previously
previously held
held byby the
the USSR.
USSR.
14
14 October:
October: The XB-70A Valkyrie
The XB-70A Valkyrie flies
flies at triple-sonic speed
at triple-sonic speed
for the
for the first
first time
time.. The
The six-engine
six-engine jet
jet hits
hits 2,000
2,000 mph
mph at
at a
a
70,000-foot altitude .
70,000-foot altitude.
15
15 October:
October: The U.S.. Air
The U.S Air Force graduates the
Force graduates the first
first class
class of
of
16 missile
16 missile combat
combat crewcrew members
members from
from its
its Minuteman
Minuteman
education program. SAC
education program. SAC missilemen
missilemen receive
receive their
their master's
master's
degrees under a program sponsored by the Air University's
degrees under a program sponsored by the Air University's
Air
Air Force
Force Institute of Technology.
Institute of Technology .
18 October:: New
18 October New York
York ANG's 107th Tactical
ANG's 107th Tactical Fighter
Fighter Group
Group
becomes the first tactical
becomes the first tactical guard
guard unit
unit deployed
deployed in
in peacetime
peacetime
to the Pacific
to the Pacific for
for a
a joint-service exercise..
joint-service exercise
23 October : The
23 October: 4503d Tactical
The 4503d Fighter Squadron
Tactical Fighter Squadron
(Provisional)
(Provisional) arrives
arrives inin Vietnam with 12
Vietnam with 12 F-5A
F-5A Freedom
Freedom
Fighter aircraft for combat
Fighter aircraft for combat evaluation
evaluation tests
tests.. A
A fighter
fighter version
version
of the T-38 Talon, the Freedom Fighter is produced for
of the T-38 Talon, the Freedom Fighter is produced for
export.
export.
31 October : The
31 October: The first
first ten
ten Minuteman
Minuteman IIII missiles
missiles are
are
transferred to SAC and are
transferred to SAC and are assigned
assigned to
to 447th
447th Strategic
Strategic
Missile Squadron at
Missile Squadron at Grand
Grand Forks
Forks AFB.
AFB.
11 November:
November: Col M. Holm
Jeanne M.
Col Jeanne Holm becomes director of
becomes director of WAF.
WAF.
December:: The
33 December The Secretary
Secretary of Defense announces
of Defense announces thethe U.S
U.S..
Air Force will
Air Force develop a
will develop reconnaissance version
a reconnaissance version of the F-111
of the F-l 11
Aardvark .
Aardvark.
7 December:: An
7 December operationally configured
An operationally Minuteman II
configured Minuteman II is
is
fired by a SAC crew for the first time from
fired by a SAC crew for the first time from an
an operational
operational
silo.. The
silo The missile's reentry vehicle
missile's reentry impacts approximately
vehicle impacts approximately

39
39
4,000
4,000 miles
miles downrange
downrange from
from the
the point
point of
of launch
launch at
at
Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.
88 December:
December: The
The Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense announces
announces plans
plans to
to
phase out older models of the B-52 bombers and all B-58
phase out older models of the B-52 bombers and all B-58
bombers
bombers..
10
10 December
December:: Secretary
Secretary McNamara
McNamara announces
announces thethe
development
development ofof a
a strategic
strategic and
and tactical
tactical bomber
bomber version
version of
of
the F-111,
the F-l 11, which
which will
will be
be known
known as
as the
the FB-111
FB-111..
18
18 December:
December: The The 14-day
14-day flight
flight by
by astronauts
astronauts Cmdr
Cmdr James
James
Lovell Jr.. and
Lovell Jr and LtLt Col
Col Frank
Frank Borman
Borman aboard
aboard the
the Gemini
Gemini 77
spacecraft
spacecraft and and the
the rendezvous
rendezvous with with astronauts
astronauts Lt Lt Col
Col
Thomas
Thomas P. P. Stafford
Stafford and
and Capt
Capt Walter
Walter M.M. Schirra
Schirra Jr.,
Jr., USN,
USN, in
in
Gemini
Gemini 6, 6, complete
complete thethe nation's
nation's most
most successful
successful space
space
mission.
mission. Gemini
Gemini 7 7 establishes
establishes 11 world records
11 world records for
for manned
manned
space
space flights,
flights, including
including the
the first
first rendezvous
rendezvous ofof two-manned
two-manned
maneuverable
maneuverable spacecraft
spacecraft and
and thethe longest
longest manned
manned space
space
flight.
flight.

1I960
~)(i(i
11 January:
January: The
The MATS
MATS is is redesignated
redesignated thethe Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Command
Command (MAC).
(MAC). The
The Eastern
Eastern and
and Western
Western AirAir Transport
Transport
Forces
Forces are
are redesignated
redesignated the
the Twenty-first
Twenty-first and
and Twenty-second
Twenty-second
Air
Air Forces,
Forces, respectively.
respectively. The
The Air
Air Rescue
Rescue Service
Service becomes
becomes the
the
Aerospace
Aerospace Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery Service
Service (ARKS)
(ARRS).. The
The Air
Air
Photographic
Photographic and and Charting
Charting Service
Service isis renamed
renamed the the
Aerospace
Aerospace Audio-Visual
Audio-Visual Service
Service (AAVS)
(AAVS)..
11 January:
January: Military
Military airlift
airlift units
units of
of the
the ANG
ANG begin
begin flying
flying
about
about 7575 cargo
cargo flights
flights aa month
month to
to Southeast
Southeast Asia.
Asia. These
These
flights
flights are
are in
in addition
addition to to the
the more
more than
than 100
100 overseas
overseas
missions
missions flown
flown in in aa month
month by by the
the ANG
ANG in
in augmenting
augmenting
MAC's
MAC'S global
global airlift
airlift mission.
mission.
11 January:
January: AA large
large rocket
rocket facility
facility is
is established
established at
at the
the
Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma,
Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma,
Tennessee,
Tennessee, to operate two
to operate two high-altitude
high-altitude test
test cells.
cells.
22
22 January:
January: Operation
Operation Blue
Blue Light,
Light, the
the largest
largest airlift
airlift in
in
history
history of
of troops
troops and
and equipment
equipment into
into a
a combat
combat zone,
zone, is
is
completed More than
completed.. More than 4,600
4,600 tons
tons of
of equipment
equipment and
and over
over

40
40
3,000 troops of
3,000 troops U .S . Army's
the U.S.
of the Army's 3d Infantry Brigade,
3d Infantry Brigade, are
are
airlifted from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to Pleiku,
airlifted from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to Pleiku, South
South
Vietnam.. The
Vietnam The operation
operation began
began 2727 December
December 1965
1965..
11 February
February:: A
A 200-bed
200-bed USAF hospital becomes
USAF hospital becomes operational
operational
at
at Cam Ranh Bay,
Cam Ranh Bay, South
South Vietnam.
Vietnam.
16
16 February
February:: Col L. Gordon
Col L. Gordon Cooper,
Cooper, Col Frank Borman,
Col Frank Borman, and
and
Lt
Lt Col
Col Thomas
Thomas P.P. Stafford receive astronaut
Stafford receive astronaut wings
wings from
from the
the
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen John P.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen John P. McConnell.
McConnell.
24
24 February
February:: The first Minuteman
The first Minuteman salvo
salvo launch
launch isis made
made
from Vandenberg AFB by a SAC missile combat crew from
from Vandenberg AFB by a SAC missile combat crew from
the
the 341 Strategic Missile
st Strategic
341st Missile Wing,
Wing, Malmstrom
Malmstrom AFB.
AFB.
10
10 March: USAF Maj
March: USAF Bernard F.
Maj Bernard F. Fisher
Fisher of of Kuna, Idaho, a
Kuna, Idaho, a
1st
1st Air
Air Commando
Commando Squadron
Squadron A-lE
A-IE pilot,
pilot, lands
lands on
on the
the A
A
Shau airstrip
Shau after it
airstrip after it is overrun by
is overrun North Vietnamese
by North Vietnamese
regulars to rescue
regulars to rescue downed
downed A-lE
A-IE pilot Maj Dafford
pilot Maj Dafford W.
W. Myers
Myers
of
of Newport, Washington . Major
Newport, Washington. Major Fisher
Fisher is is later awarded the
later awarded the
Medal of Honor for his heroic act.
Medal of Honor for his heroic act.
16
16 March:
March: Titan II launches
Titan II launches Neil
Neil Armstrong
Armstrong and and David
David Scott
Scott
on their Gemini 8 mission. The astronauts later accomplish
on their Gemini 8 mission. The astronauts later accomplish
the
the first
first docking
docking maneuver
maneuver in space with
in space with aa Space
Space Systems
Systems
Division-developed
Division-developed Agena
Agena target
target vehicle
vehicle launched
launched by
by an
an
Atlas booster. USAF pararescuemen attach flotation
Atlas booster. USAF pararescuemen attach flotation gear
gear to
to
the
the Gemini space capsule
Gemini 88 space capsule 20
20 minutes
minutes after splashdown in
after splashdown in
the
the Pacific
Pacific Ocean,
Ocean, 500500 miles
miles east
east of
of Okinawa.
Okinawa. It It is the first
is the first
time USAF rescue
time USAF rescue forces
forces have participated in
have participated in the
the actual
actual
recovery
recovery ofof aa Gemini capsule .
Gemini capsule.
28 March: The
28 March: The USAF
USAF Special Weapons Center
Special Weapons Center achieves
achieves the
the first
first
successful midair catch
successful midair catch of
of an air-launched, air-recoverable
an air-launched, air-recoverable
rocket (ALARR) nose cone over
rocket (ALARR) nose cone over White
White Sands
Sands Missile
Missile Range..
Range
31 March: SAC
31 March: SAC phases
phases out
out its last B-47
its last B-47 Stratojet.
Stratojet. The
The first
first
alljet strategic bomber entered active service
all-jet strategic bomber entered active service in
in 1951
1951..
55 April
April:: The first successful
The first successful voice communications test
voice communications test with
with
airplane, satellite, and ground equipment is conducted in
airplane, satellite, and ground equipment is conducted in
an
an Air
Air Force Avionics Laboratory
Force Avionics Laboratory project.
project.
6 April
6 April:: The
The Army agrees to
Army agrees to transfer
transfer its CV-2 Caribou
its CV-2 Caribou and
and
CV-7
CV-7 Buffalo
Buffalo aircraft
aircraft to
to the
the U .S.
U.S. Air
Air Force,
Force, which
which will
will be
be
responsible for all future intratheater,
responsible for all future intratheater, fixed-wing
fixed-wing tactical
tactical

4411
aircraft
aircraft.. USAF
USAF designations
designations will
will be
be the
the C-7A
C-7A Caribou
Caribou and
and
C-8A Buffalo.
C-8A Buffalo.
12
12 April
April:: SAC
SAC B-52
B-52 bombers
bombers strike
strike targets
targets in
in North
North Vietnam
Vietnam
for
for the
the first
first time
time.. They
They hit
hit aa supply
supply route
route in
in the
the Mu
Mu Gia
Gia
Pass
Pass about
about 85 miles north
85 miles north of
of the
the border.
border.
25 April
25 April:: SAC's
SAC's first
first Minuteman
Minuteman IIII squadron-the
squadron—the 447th
447th
Strategic
Strategic Missile Squadron, Grand
Missile Squadron, Grand Forks
Forks AFB-is
AFB—is declared
declared
combat
combat ready
ready.. The
The squadron
squadron of of 50
50 missiles and five
missiles and five
launch-control
launch-control facilities
facilities is
is transferred
transferred to
to SAC
SAC by
by the
the AFSC's
AFSC's
Ballistic
Ballistic Systems
Systems Division
Division..
26
26 April:
April: Maj
Maj Paul J. Gilmore
Paul J. Gilmore and
and 1st
1st Lt
Lt William
William T.T. Smith
Smith
become the first USAF pilots to destroy a MiG-21 . Flying
become the first USAF pilots to destroy a MiG-21. Flying
escort
escort for
for F-105
F-105 Thunderchiefs
Thunderchiefs near
near Hanoi
Hanoi when
when the
the flight
flight is
is
attacked,
attacked, the
the F-4C
F-^1C pilots
pilots down
down the
the MIG
MiG with
with aa Sidewinder
Sidewinder
missile
missile..
55 May:
May: USAF A-1 E Skyraider
USAF A-1E Skyraider pilots
pilots fly
fly their
their first
first strikes
strikes
against targets in North Vietnam .
against targets in North Vietnam.
33 June
June:: NASA's
NASA's Gemini
Gemini 99 spacecraft
spacecraft with
with astronauts
astronauts LtLt Col
Col
Thomas
Thomas P. P. Stafford,
Stafford, USAF,
USAF, as as command
command pilot
pilot and
and Lt
Lt Cmdr
Cmdr
Eugene
Eugene Cernan,
Cernan, USN,
USN, as
as pilot
pilot is
is successfully
successfully launched
launched from
from
the
the Eastern
Eastern Test
Test Range,
Range, Patrick
Patrick AFB,
AFB, by
by aa Titan
Titan II
II booster.
booster.
Personnel
Personnel from
from various
various USAF
USAF commands
commands provide
provide support
support
for
for the
the flight.
flight. Reentry
Reentry is
is on
on 66 June.
June.
16 June : USAF's
16 June: USAF's Titan
Titan IIIC
IIIC boosts
boosts seven
seven experimental
experimental
communications satellites and
communications satellites and one
one gravity
gravity gradient
gradient satellite
satellite
into
into orbit
orbit 18,000
18,000 nautical
nautical miles
miles above
above the
the equator.
equator. The
The
satellites
satellites demonstrate
demonstrate the the feasibility
feasibility of
of aa global
global military
military
communications satellite system.
communications satellite system.
11 July
July:: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force begins
begins aeromedical
aeromedical evacuation
evacuation
flights from Saigon to the United States via Japan, reducing
flights from Saigon to the United States via Japan, reducing
en
en route
route time
time to
to 24 hours.
24 hours.
99 July:
July: The
The F-111
F-lll Aardvark
Aardvark variable-sweep-wing
variable-sweep-wing fighter-
fighter-
bomber
bomber flies for the
flies for the first
first time
time at
at Mach
Mach 2.5-about
2.5—about 1,800
1,800
mph.
mph. Officials
Officials call
call the
the performance
performance the
the highlight
highlight in
in the
the
F-111 flight-test development program .
F-lll flight-test development program.
18
18 July:
July: Gemini
Gemini 1010 is
is launched
launched from
from the
the Air
Air Force
Force Eastern
Eastern
Test
Test Range
Range by
by aa Titan
Titan booster
booster with
with astronauts
astronauts Cmdr
Cmdr John
John

42
42
Young, USN, as
Young, USN, as command
command pilot
pilot and
and Maj
Maj Michael
Michael Collins,
Collins,
USAF, as pilot. The astronauts soar to a new record altitude
USAF, as pilot. The astronauts soar to a new record altitude
of more than
of more than 470
470 miles
miles during
during the
the mission.
mission.
66 August
August:: The
The nation's
nation's first
first three
three civilian
civilian scientist-
scientist-
astronauts-Owen
astronauts—Owen K. K. Garriott,
Garriott, Edward
Edward G G.. Gibson,
Gibson, and
and
Harrison
Harrison H.
H. Schmittreceive
Schmitt—receive USAF
USAF pilot
pilot wings at Williams
wings at Williams
AFB,
AFB, Arizona.
Arizona.
25
25 August:
August: The
The first
first class
class of
of German
German air
air force
force student
student pilots
pilots
enters
enters training
training at at Sheppard
Sheppard AFB,
AFB, Texas.
Texas. The
The school
school will
will
provide
provide 212
212 pilots
pilots perper year
year with
with training
training similar to that
similar to that
received
received by
by U .S . Air
U.S. Air Force
Force pilots
pilots..
20 September: Lt
20 September: Lt Col
Col Donald
Donald M. M. Sorlie
Sorlie becomes
becomes the the first
first
USAF
USAF pilot
pilot to
to fly
fly the
the NASA
NASA lifting
lifting body
body from
from the
the Air
Air Force
Force
Flight
Flight Test
Test Center.
Center. Air
Air launched
launched from
from aa B-52
B-52 at an altitude
at an altitude
of
of 45,000
45,000 feet,
feet, the
the craft
craft reaches
reaches a a speed
speed ofof nearly
nearly 400
400 mph
mph
during
during the
the three
three and
and one-half-minute
one-half-minute flight
flight..
55 October:
October: USAF
USAF begins
begins operating
operating a a space-age
space-age communi-
communi-
cations
cations system
system developed
developed by by the
the Electronic
Electronic Systems
Systems
Division . Spanning the Mediterranean from Spain to
Division. Spanning the Mediterranean from Spain to the
the
Near
Near East,
East, the
the system
system provides
provides rapid
rapid communications
communications
between commanders in that area and the United
between commanders in that area and the United States.
States. It
It
is
is also
also used
used by
by the
the Army
Army and
and Navy
Navy..
7
7 October:
October: USAF
USAF selects
selects the
the University
University of
of Colorado
Colorado toto
conduct independent investigations
conduct independent investigations into
into unidentified
unidentified flying
flying
object (UFO) reports.
object (UFO) reports.
31 October: USAF
31 October: USAF announces its selection
announces its selection ofof the
the Boeing
Boeing
Company
Company to to develop
develop and
and produce
produce an an air-to-surface
air-to-surface
short-range
short-range missile
missile known
known asas Maverick
Maverick.. Designated
Designated
AGM-65A, the television-guided missile will be carried
AGM-65A, the television-guided missile will be carried by
by
the
the FB--111
FB-111 and
and late
late model
model B-52
B-52 bombers.
bombers.
9
9 November:
November: USAF's
USAF's F-111A
F-111A fighter-bomber
fighter-bomber scores
scores aa first
first
for
for American
American aircraft
aircraft by
by flying
flying faster
faster than
than the
the speed
speed of of
sound for 15 minutes at a constant ground clearance
sound for 15 minutes at a constant ground clearance of
of less
less
than
than 1,000
1,000 feet.
feet.
14
14 November:
November: AA MAC C-141 Starlifter
MAC C-141 Starlifter is
is the
the first
first jet
jet aircraft
aircraft
to land in
to land in the
the Antarctic.
Antarctic. Commanded
Commanded by by Capt
Capt Howard
Howard
Geddes, 86th Military
Geddes, 86th Military Airlift
Airlift Squadron,
Squadron, Travis
Travis AFB,
AFB, the
the

43
43
aircraft
aircraft lands
lands on on the
the ice
ice at
at McMurdo
McMurdo Sound
Sound after
after aa
2,200-mile
2,200-mile flight
flight from
from Christchurch,
Christchurch, New
New Zealand.
Zealand.
15
15 November Tuy Hoa
November:: Tuy Hoa AB,
AB, the
the first
first air
air base
base in
in South
South
Vietnam
Vietnam designed
designed and
and constructed
constructed under
under U.SU.S.. Air
Air Force
Force
supervision,
supervision, becomes
becomes operational
operational 45 45 days
days ahead
ahead of
of
schedule . Actual construction of the base, known as
schedule. Actual construction of the base, known as
Operation
Operation Turnkey,
Turnkey, started
started in
in August
August 1966
1966..
14
14 December: Col Albert
December: Col Albert R.
R. Howarth
Howarth demonstrates
demonstrates
exemplary
exemplary courage
courage and
and airmanship
airmanship under
under thethe most
most
hazardous
hazardous conditions
conditions of
of darkness
darkness and
and intense
intense enemy
enemy fire
fire
while participating in a combat strike mission in Southeast
while participating in a combat strike mission in Southeast
Asia
Asia.. Colonel
Colonel Howarth
Howarth wins
wins the Mackay Trophy
the Mackay Trophy for
for this
this
flight.
flight.

44
44
 L^rJi^jf^
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 1967
1967
January : F-4
22 January: F-4 Phantom
Phantom pilots of the
pilots of the 8th Tactical Fighter
8th Tactical Fighter
Wing down seven
Wing down seven MiG-21
MiG-21ss over
over the Red River Valley, North
the Red River Valley. North
Vietnam, to establish a one-day aerial
Vietnam, to establish a one-day aerial victory
victory record.
record.
18 January: A
18 January: A Titan
Titan IIIC booster launched
IIIC booster from Cape
launched from Cape
Kennedy sends
Kennedy sends eight
eight military
military communications satellites into
communications satellites into
aa near-perfect circular orbit.
near-perfect circular orbit.
27
27 January: Three of
January : Three America's Apollo
of America's Apollo astronauts,
astronauts, USAF Lt
USAF Lt
Cols Virgil
Cols Virgil Grissom
Grissom and
and Edward
Edward H.
H. White and USN
White and USN Lt Cmdr
Lt Cmdr
Robert
Robert B.B. Chaffee,
Chaffee, are
are trapped
trapped and killed in a capsule by
and killed in a capsule by a
a
flash fire while conducting a preflight rehearsal at Cape
flash fire while conducting a preflight rehearsal at Cape
Kennedy.
Kennedy.
66 February: The North
February : The North American
American Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense
Command's Space
Command's Defense Center
Space Defense Center moves
moves into Cheyenne
into Cheyenne
Mountain, Colorado,
Mountain, Colorado, completing
completing the
the movement of all
movement of all units
units
into the
into the hardened, underground facility.
hardened, underground facility.

Cargo awaits onload into a C-130 at an airstrip in South Vietnam. In the

foreground are fuel bladders that have been emptied of JP-4 for use in
Army helicopters.

46
22
22 February
February:: Twenty-three
Twenty-three USAF
USAF C-130s
C-130s provide
provide airlift
airlift for
for
the
the first
first parachute
parachute personnel
personnel drop
drop of
of the
the Vietnam
Vietnam War.
War. TheThe
jump is made by the 173d Airborne Brigade in support of
jump is made by the 173d Airborne Brigade in support of
Operation
Operation Junction
Junction City
City..
24 February : Near
24 February: Near Di
Di Linh,
Linh, South
South Vietnam,
Vietnam, Capt
Capt Hilliard
Hilliard A.
A.
Wilbanks
Wilbanks attacks
attacks a a large
large body
body of of Vietcong,
Vietcong, who
who had had
ambushed a numerically inferior force of South Vietnamese
ambushed a numerically inferior force of South Vietnamese
rangers
rangers.. Flying
Flying his
his unarmed
unarmed and and unarmored
unarmored aircraft
aircraft
repeatedly
repeatedly over
over the
the enemy
enemy force,
force, Captain
Captain Wilbanks
Wilbanks uses
uses
smoke
smoke rockets
rockets and
and aa rifle
rifle to
to draw
draw the
the fire
fire of
of the
the enemy
enemy andand
interrupt their advance.
interrupt their advance. Mortally
Mortally wounded
wounded on on his
his last
last pass
pass
over
over the
the Vietcong,
Vietcong, Captain
Captain Wilbanks
Wilbanks sacrifices
sacrifices his
his life
life to
to
protect
protect the
the withdrawing
withdrawing rangers,
rangers, earning
earning thethe Medal
Medal of of
Honor for his bravery.
Honor for his bravery.
10
10 March:
March: USAF
USAF F-105
F-105 Thunderchiefs
Thunderchiefs and and F-4C
F-4C Phantom
Phantom
Its
IIs bomb
bomb the
the Thai
Thai Nguyen
Nguyen steel
steel plant
plant in
in North
North Vietnam
Vietnam for
for
the
the first
first time.
time. During
During thisthis attack,
attack, Capt
Capt Merlyn
Merlyn Hans
Hans
Dethlefsen
Dethlefsen earns
earns the
the Medal
Medal ofof Honor
Honor while
while silencing
silencing enemy
enemy
defenses
defenses with
with his
his severely
severely damaged
damaged F-105
F-105 Thunderchief
Thunderchief
despite intense enemy fire and fighter attacks.
despite intense enemy fire and fighter attacks.
10 March:: Capt
10 March Mac C.
Capt Mac C. Brestel,
Brestel, an
an F-105
F-105 Thunderchief
Thunderchief
pilot
pilot with
with the 355th Tactical
the 355th Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron,
Squadron, Takhli
Takhli
Royal
Royal Thai
Thai AFB,
AFB, Thailand,
Thailand, becomes
becomes thethe first
first U .S . Air
U.S. Air
Force combat crewman to down two MiGs during a single
Force combat crewman to down two MiGs during a single
mission.
mission.
15
15 March:
March: The
The Sikorsky
Sikorsky HH-5313,
HH-53B, the
the largest
largest and
and fastest
fastest
helicopter
helicopter in
in USAF
USAF inventory,
inventory, makes
makes its
its first
first flight
flight.. It
It is
is
slated for ARRS operations in Southeast Asia .
slated for ARRS operations in Southeast Asia.
21
21 March:
March: Twelve
Twelve SAC
SAC air
air crewmen
crewmen areare decorated
decorated by
by
President
President Johnson
Johnson at at Andersen
Andersen AFB,
AFB, Guam,
Guam, for
for B-52
B-52
bomber and KC-135 refueling missions to Vietnam.
bomber and KC-135 refueling missions to Vietnam.
30
30 March:
March: A two-man submarine,
A two-man submarine, the
the first
first USAF-owned
USAF-owned
underwater vessel, is added to AFSC's Western Test
underwater vessel, is added to AFSC's Western Test Range
Range
inventory.
inventory. It
It will
will be
be used
used to
to locate
locate reentry
reentry vehicles
vehicles in
in the
the
Eniwetok Atoll area.
Eniwetok Atoll area.
33 April
April:: Paul
Paul W.W. Airey
Airey becomes
becomes the
the first
first chief
chief master
master
sergeant
sergeant of
of the
the U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force.
Force.

47
47
88 April:
April: Clove
Clove Hitch
Hitch III,
III, a
a joint
joint exercise
exercise conducted
conducted in
in Puerto
Puerto
Rico
Rico under
under the
the Atlantic
Atlantic Command,
Command, opensopens with
with over
over 21,000
21,000
U.S.
U.S. Army,
Army, Navy,
Navy, Air
Air Force,
Force, andand National
National Guard
Guard personnel
personnel
participating
participating.. This
This is
is the
the first
first time
time C-141s
C-141s will
will be
be used
used to
to
air-drop
air-drop paratroopers
paratroopers..
9
9 April
April:: The
The 315th
315th Air
Air Division
Division begins
begins the
the largest
largest tactical
tactical
unit
unit move
move of of the
the Vietnam
Vietnam War.
War. Hercules
Hercules C-130s
C-130s airlift
airlift the
the
entire
entire 196th
196th Light
Light Infantry
Infantry Brigade,
Brigade, including
including 3,500
3,500 troops
troops
and
and 4,000
4,000 tons
tons of
of equipment,
equipment, from
from Tay
Tay Ninh
Ninh to
to Chu
Chu LaiLai
during
during the
the five-day
five-day operation.
operation.
19 April : Maj
19 April: Maj Leo
Leo K.
K. Thorsness
Thorsness earns
earns the
the Medal
Medal ofof Honor
Honor for
for
protecting
protecting the the rescue
rescue ofof downed
downed airmen
airmen in in North
North
Vietnamese
Vietnamese territory.
territory. Flying
Flying an an F-105
F-105 Thunderchief
Thunderchief
critically
critically low
low on
on fuel,
fuel, Major
Major Thorsness
Thorsness shoots
shoots down
down one
one
MiG-17,
MiG-17, damages
damages another,
another, and
and drives
drives off
off three
three more.
more.
Despite
Despite hishis urgent
urgent need
need for
for fuel,
fuel, Major
Major Thorsness
Thorsness elects
elects to
to
recover
recover at at aa forward
forward operating
operating base,
base, allowing
allowing another
another
aircraft
aircraft inin emergency
emergency condition
condition toto refuel
refuel from
from anan aerial
aerial
tanker.
tanker.
25
25 April:
April: Maj
Maj Gen
Gen Benjamin
Benjamin D.D. Foulois,
Foulois, USAF;
USAF, Retired,
Retired,
America's
America's oldest
oldest military
military pilot,
pilot, dies
dies at
at Andrews
Andrews AFB,
AFB,
Maryland .
Maryland.
28 April: A
28 April: A USAF
USAF Titan
Titan IIIC
IIIC booster
booster successfully
successfully orbits
orbits five
five
unmanned
unmanned satellites
satellites.. They
They include
include twotwo Vela
Vela nuclear-
nuclear-
detection
detection satellites
satellites and
and three
three scientific
scientific satellites
satellites..
29
29 April
April:: The
The 1966
1966 Daedalian
Daedalian Flight
Flight Safety
Safety Trophy,
Trophy, the
the
nation's
nation's outstanding
outstanding air air safety
safety award,
award, is
is presented
presented to
to MAC
MAC
for a record
for a record fifth
fifth time
time..
30
30 April
April:: The
The ALARR
ALARR system
system has
has its
its first
first operational
operational test.
test. It
It
is
is designed
designed to to detect
detect and
and identify
identify nuclear
nuclear tests
tests in
in the
the
atmosphere
atmosphere..
13 May:: For
13 May For the
the second
second time
time pilots
pilots of
of the
the 8th
8th Tactical
Tactical
Fighter
Fighter Wing,
Wing, Ubon Royal Thai
Ubon Royal Thai AB,
AB, Thailand,
Thailand, shoot
shoot down
down
seven
seven MiGs
MiGs in
in aa single
single day's
day's action
action over
over North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam.
31 May: While
31 May: While piloting
piloting aa KC-135
KC-135 Stratotanker
Stratotanker over
over the
the Gulf
Gulf
of
of Tonkin,
Tonkin, Maj
Maj John
John H. H. Casteel
Casteel and
and his
his three-man
three-man crew
crew
from
from the
the 902d
902d Air
Air Refueling
Refueling Squadron
Squadron accomplish
accomplish a a

48
48
spectacular series of
spectacular series of emergency
emergency refueling
refueling that saves six
that saves six
fuel-starved Navy fighters
fuel-starved Navy fighters.. The
The action earns Major
action earns Major Casteel
Casteel
and his
and his crew
crew the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
11 June
June:: The
The Vietnamese air force
Vietnamese air force officially
officially accepts
accepts 20
20 F-5
F-5
aircraft, its first jets .
aircraft, its first jets.
11 June
June:: USAF
USAF crews
crews fly
fly two HH-3E helicopters
two HH-3E helicopters nonstop
nonstop
from
from New
New York to Paris
York to Paris in
in 30
30 hours,
hours, 46
46 minutes,
minutes, ten
ten
seconds
seconds with
with nine
nine air
air refuelings
refuelings..
9 June:: The
9 June The first
first 0-2A
0-2A Skymaster
Skymaster forward-air-controller
forward-air-controller
aircraft arrives in Vietnam.
aircraft arrives in Vietnam.
9 June
9 June:: USAF
USAF begins
begins the
the evacuation
evacuation of
of about 1,300 military
about 1,300 military
and civilian Americans to the United States from the Middle
and civilian Americans to the United States from the Middle
East
East because of Arab-Israeli
because of Arab-Israeli war.
war.
11 July:
July: Civil
Civil Air
Air Patrol
Patrol national headquarters completes
national headquarters completes its
its
move
move from Ellington AFB,
from Ellington AFB, Texas,
Texas, to
to Maxwell
Maxwell AFB,
AFB, Alabama.
Alabama.
1I July
July:: A
A Titan
Titan IIIC booster launches
IIIC booster launches six six satellites
satellites into
into aa
circular, near-synchronous orbit. Included are
circular, near-synchronous orbit. Included are three
three
communications
communications satellites, scientific capsule,
satellites, aa scientific capsule, a a gravity-
gravity-
measuring
measuring device,
device, and an
and an antenna
antenna test
test satellite.
satellite.
11
II July:
July: First rollout of
public rollout
First public of the
the X-24A-a
X-24A—a manned,
manned,
flatiron-shaped wingless lifting body powered by a
flatiron-shaped wingless lifting body powered by a rocket
rocket
engine
engine to
to be used in
be used in atmospheric
atmospheric reentry
reentry studies.
studies.
13 July: Eighteen
13 July: Eighteen astronauts-nine
astronauts—nine from
from the Air Force,
the Air Force,
eight
eight from
from the
the Navy,
Navy, and
and one from the
one from the Marine
Marine Corps-
Corps—
receive
receive the Distinguished Flying
the Distinguished Flying Cross
Cross for
for their
their Mercury
Mercury and
and
Gemini
Gemini space
space flights
flights..
13
13 August: The Alaskan
August: The Alaskan Air
Air Command,
Command, assisted
assisted by the Alaska
by the Alaska
ANG
ANG and
and other
other USAF units, begins
USAF units, a three-day
begins a three-day rescue
rescue and
and
support operation during a flood disaster in the Fairbanks
support operation during a flood disaster in the Fairbanks
area. Alaska-stationed Air
area. Alaska-stationed Air Force Communications Service
Force Communications Service
personnel provide emergency
personnel provide emergency communications,
communications, and
and MAC
MAC
provides
provides airlift.
airlift.
26 August: The
26 August: North Vietnamese
The North capture Maj
Vietnamese capture Maj George
George E.
E.
Day,
Day, aa downed
downed F-100 Super Sabre
F-100 Super Sabre pilot
pilot who is severely
who is severely
wounded, and take him to a prison camp
wounded, and take him to a prison camp where
where he
he is
is
interrogated
interrogated and tortured.. Despite
and tortured Despite his wounds, Major
his wounds, Major Day
Day

49
49
escapes
escapes and
and evades
evades toto the
the demilitarized
demilitarized zone
zone where,
where, delirious,
delirious,
he
he wanders
wanders aimlessly
aimlessly forfor several
several days
days until
until recaptured
recaptured..
Returned
Returned toto the
the prison
prison camp,
camp, the
the totally
totally debilitated
debilitated pilot
pilot
continues
continues to
to offer
offer maximum
maximum resistance
resistance until
until his
his release
release inin
1973.
1973. For his bravery,
For his bravery, hehe receives
receives the
the Medal
Medal of
of Honor.
Honor.
99 September:
September: Sgt
Sgt Duane
Duane D.D. Hackney
Hackney is is presented
presented the
the Air
Air
Force Cross for bravery during the rescue of an Air Force
Force Cross for bravery during the rescue of an Air Force
pilot
pilot in
in Vietnam.
Vietnam. HeHe is
is the
the first
first living
living enlisted
enlisted man
man toto
receive
receive the
the award
award..
3
3 October:
October: Maj
Maj William
William J.
J. Knight
Knight pilots
pilots the
the X-15
X-15 hypersonic
hypersonic
rocket
rocket aircraft
aircraft to
to a
a record 4,534 mph
record 4,534 mph..
16
16 October:
October: The
The first
first operational
operational F-111A
F-l 11A Aardvark
Aardvark supersonic
supersonic
tactical fighter lands at Nellis AFB, Nevada. It uses
tactical fighter lands at Nellis AFB, Nevada. It uses its
its
terrain-following
terrain-following radar-guidance
radar-guidance controls
controls for
for the
the flight
flight from
from
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas..
24 October:
24 October: U.S.
U.S. planes
planes attack
attack North
North Vietnam's
Vietnam's largest
largest air
air
base,
base, Phuc
Phuc Yen,
Yen, for
for the
the first
first time
time in
in aa combined
combined Air
Air Force,
Force,
Navy,
Navy, and
and Marine Corps strike
Marine Corps strike.. During
During the
the attack,
attack, the
the Air
Air
Force
Force downs
downs its
its 69th
69th MiG.
MiG.
9
9 November
November:: Enemy
Enemy gunners
gunners shoot
shoot down
down aa helicopter
helicopter piloted
piloted
by
by Capt
Capt Gerald
Gerald O.O. Young
Young during
during USAF
USAF efforts
efforts to
to rescue
rescue anan
Army
Army reconnaissance
reconnaissance teamteam near
near Khe
Khe Sanh,
Sanh, Republic
Republic of of
Vietnam
Vietnam.. Captain
Captain Young
Young survives
survives the
the crash,
crash, and
and although
although
badly
badly burned,
burned, hehe aids
aids another
another wounded
wounded crewman.
crewman. Later,
Later, he
he
attempts
attempts to
to divert
divert hostile
hostile forces
forces from
from the
the crash
crash site.
site. Refusing
Refusing
rescue
rescue because
because of of the
the proximity
proximity of of enemy
enemy forces,
forces, hehe
successfully
successfully evades
evades capture
capture for
for 17
17 hours
hours before
before finally
finally being
being
evacuated.
evacuated. Captain
Captain Young's
Young's bravery
bravery earns
earns the
the Medal
Medal of of Honor.
Honor.
99 November-January
November-January:: Capt
Capt Lance
Lance P.
P. Sijan
Sijan ejects
ejects from
from his
his
F-4C
F-4C Phantom
Phantom over
over North
North Vietnam
Vietnam and
and successfully
successfully evades
evades
capture
capture for
for more
more than
than six
six weeks
weeks.. The
The enemy
enemy eventually
eventually
captures
captures him,
him, but the severely
but the severely weakened
weakened pilot
pilot manages
manages toto
escape. Recaptured and tortured, he contracts pneumonia
escape. Recaptured and tortured, he contracts pneumonia
and
and dies
dies.. Captain
Captain Sijan
Sijan received
received the
the Medal
Medal ofof Honor
Honor
posthumously
posthumously..
15
15 November:
November: Maj
Maj Michael
Michael J. J. Adams
Adams is is killed
killed in
in an
an X-15
X-15
hypersonic
hypersonic crash,
crash, the
the first
first fatality
fatality since
since the
the program
program began
began in
in
1959.
1959.

50
50
17
17 November
November:: Operation
Operation Eagle Eagle Thrust,
Thrust, the the largest
largest and
and
greatest distance airlift
greatest distance airlift of
of troops
troops and
and cargo
cargo from
from the
the U.S
U.S.. to
to
Southeast Asia, begins by C-141 Starlifters and C-130
Southeast Asia, begins by C-141 Starlifters and C-130
Hercules
Hercules aircraft.
aircraft. During
During the the operation,
operation, 10,356
10,356 paratroopers
paratroopers
and
and 5,118
5,118 tons
tons of
of equipment
equipment are are airlifted
airlifted to
to the
the combat
combat zone
zone
in record time.
in record time.

19611
1968
11 January:
January: The
The Reserve
Reserve Forces
Forces Bill
Bill ofof Rights
Rights and
and
Vitalization Act becomes law. The Office of Air Force Reserve
Vitalization Act becomes law. The Office of Air Force Reserve
is
is established
established as
as part
part of
of the
the Air
Air Staff
Staff to
to serve as a
serve as a policy
policy
planning
planning center
center for
for Reserve
Reserve operations.
operations.
55 January:
January: The
The Air
Air Force
Force Academy
Academy implements
implements the
the T-41
T-41
Mescalero Light Plane Flying Program.
Mescalero Light Plane Flying Program.
12
12 January:
January: USAF
USAF announces
announces a a system
system by
by which
which tactical
tactical air
air
units will carry
units will carry with them all
with them all they
they need
need to
to operate
operate at
at "bare"
"bare"
bases
bases equipped
equipped only
only with
with runways,
runways, taxiways,
taxiways, parking
parking areas,
areas,
and
and aa water
water supply.
supply.
16
16 January:
January: United
United States
States Air
Air Forces
Forces Europe
Europe (USAFE)
(USAFE) and
and
MAC
MAC crews
crews provide
provide a
a six-day
six-day airlift
airlift of
of food
food and
and equipment
equipment to
to
Sicilian
Sicilian earthquake
earthquake victims
victims..
21
21 January
January:: Communists
Communists beginbegin a
a 77-day
77-day siege
siege of
of the
the U.S.
U.S.
Marine Corps stronghold at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, which
Marine Corps stronghold at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, which
results
results in
in a victory for
a victory for U.S. air power
U.S. air power over
over enemy ground forces
enemy ground forces..
26
26 January
January:: ANG
ANG and
and Air
Air Force
Force Reserve
Reserve (AFRES)
(AFRES) elements
elements
are
are called
called to
to active
active duty
duty because
because ofof the
the USS
USS Pueblo
Pueblo incident
incident
and increased enemy activity in Vietnam.
and increased enemy activity in Vietnam.
33 February
February:: At
At AFSC's
AFSC's Arnold
Arnold Engineering
Engineering Development
Development
Center,
Center, Tullahoma,
Tullahoma, aa laser
laser beam
beam is used for
is used for the
the first
first time
time as
as
aa light
light source
source for
for photographing
photographing aircraft
aircraft and
and missile
missile models
models
at high
at high velocity.
velocity.
14
14 February:
February: Continental
Continental Air
Air Command's
Command's AFRES
AFRES military
military
airlift
airlift units
units assist
assist MAC
MAC inin routine missions, while
routine missions, while MAC
MAC
participates
participates in
in the
the rapid
rapid deployment
deployment ofof elements
elements of
of the
the 82d
82d
Airborne Division and over 3,000 marines and equipment to
Airborne Division and over 3,000 marines and equipment to
Southeast
Southeast Asia.
Asia.

51
51
28
28 February:
February: The
The last of 284
last of 284 C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft
purchased
purchased by
by USAF
USAF is
is delivered
delivered to
to Tinker
Tinker AFB,
AFB, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma.
29
29 February:
February: Aircraft
Aircraft attached
attached to
to USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern
Command
Command deliver
deliver emergency
emergency supplies
supplies to
to flood-stricken
flood-stricken
Bolivia.
Bolivia.
29
29 February:
February: Col
Col Jeanne
Jeanne M.
M. Holm,
Holm, WAF
WAF director,
director, and
and Col
Col
Helen
Helen O'Day,
O'Day, assigned
assigned toto the
the Office
Office of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force Chief
Chief of
of
Staff, become the first USAF women promoted to the
Staff, become the first USAF women promoted to the
permanent
permanent rank rank ofof colonel
colonel under
under the
the public
public law
law that
that
removed
removed the
the restriction
restriction of
of the
the promotion
promotion ofof women
women toto higher
higher
ranks
ranks in
in all
all the
the armed
armed services
services..
19
19 March:
March: The
The first
first class
class of
of 12
12 South
South Vietnamese
Vietnamese air
air force
force
pilots
pilots begin
begin A-37
A-37 Dragonfly
Dragonfly training
training at
at England
England AFB,
AFB,
Louisiana.
Louisiana.
25
25 March
March:: F-111
F-lll Aardvarks
Aardvarks fly
fly their
their first
first combat
combat mission
mission in
in
Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia against
against military
military targets
targets in
in North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam.
25
25 March:
March: The
The 944th
944th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Group (Associate) is
Group (Associate) is
activated
activated at
at Norton
Norton AFB,
AFB, California,
California, becoming
becoming thethe first
first Air
Air
Force
Force Reserve
Reserve Group
Group toto function
function under
under the
the new
new associate
associate unit
unit
concept.
concept. The
The Reserve
Reserve associate
associate unit's
unit's personnel
personnel flyfly and
and
maintain
maintain aircraft
aircraft assigned
assigned to
to the
the associated
associated active
active force
force unit.
unit.
31
31 March
March:: President
President Johnson
Johnson directs
directs a
a halt
halt in
in U.S
U.S.. bombing
bombing
north
north of
of the
the 20th
20th parallel
parallel in
in North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam.
28
28 April:
April: USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules crews
crews
airlift
airlift approximately
approximately 92,000
92,000 pounds
pounds of of food
food to
to La
La Toma,
Toma,
Ecuador,
Ecuador, aa drought-stricken
drought-stricken area,
area, over
over aa 13-day
13-day period
period..
11 May:
May: ANG
ANG tactical
tactical refueling
refueling units
units complete
complete one
one year
year of
of
overseas
overseas duty
duty on on aa continuous
continuous basis
basis without
without mobilization
mobilization..
This is the first operation of its type in Guard/Reserve history.
This is the first operation of its type in Guard/Reserve history.
33 May:
May: The
The first
first ANG
ANG unit
unit called
called to
to active
active duty
duty in
in the
the
Vietnam
Vietnam conflict,
conflict, the
the 120th
120th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron,
Squadron,
arrives
arrives in
in South
South Vietnam
Vietnam and
and begins
begins flying
flying combat
combat missions
missions
two days later.
two days later.
12
12 May:
May: Lt
Lt Col
Col Joe
Joe M.
M. Jackson
Jackson lands
lands his
his C-123
C-123 Provider
Provider
aircraft
aircraft on
on aa special
special forces
forces camp
camp airstrip
airstrip that
that isis being
being
overrun
overrun by
by hostile
hostile forces
forces.. Despite
Despite intense
intense enemy fire including
enemy fire including

52
52
light
light artillery,
artillery, Colonel
Colonel Jackson
Jackson rescues
rescues a
a three-man
three-man combat
combat
control
control team,
team, earning
earning the
the Medal
Medal of
of Honor
Honor for
for his
his bravery.
bravery.
16
16 May:
May: USAF
USAF airlifts
airlifts 88 .5 tons
88.5 tons of
of food
food and
and relief
relief material
material to
to
Ethiopia
Ethiopia in
in response
response toto a
a flood
flood emergency.
emergency.
13
13 June
June:: A
A Titan
Titan IIIC launch vehicle
IIIC launch successfully places
vehicle successfully places in
in
orbit eight communications satellites from Cape Kennedy
orbit eight communications satellites from Cape Kennedy
augmenting
augmenting the
the initial
initial defense
defense satellite
satellite communications
communications
system.
system.
17
17 June
June:: The
The first
first C-9
C-9 Nightingale
Nightingale aeromedical
aeromedlcal evacuation
evacuation
aircraft ordered by MAC for airlift of patients within the
aircraft ordered by MAC for airlift of patients within the United
United
States
States is
is rolled
rolled out
out at
at McDonnell-Douglas
McDonnell-Douglas Corporation,
Corporation, Long
Long
Beach, California.
Beach, California.
19
19 June:
June: A A "fast-fix"
"fast-fix" cement
cement that
that hardens
hardens inin only
only 30
30
minutes is developed for helicopter landing sites by AFSC's
minutes is developed for helicopter landing sites by AFSC's
Aero
Aero Propulsion
Propulsion Laboratory,
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson
Wright-Patterson AFB,
AFB, Ohio,
Ohio,
and is tested in Southeast Asia.
and is tested in Southeast Asia.
30
30 June
June:: The
The Lockheed
Lockheed C-5
C-5 Galaxy,
Galaxy, USAF's
USAF's newest
newest and
and
largest aircraft, makes its first flight.
largest aircraft, makes its first flight.
31
31 July:
July: Two
Two UH-1F
UH-1F helicopters
helicopters from
from USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern
Command
Command helphelp the
the Costa
Costa Rican
Rlcan government
government evacuate
evacuate
people
people endangered
endangered by
by the
the eruption
eruption of
of Mount
Mount Arenal.
Arenal.
11 August:
August: Continental
Continental Air
Air Command
Command is is discontinued
discontinued and
and
Headquarters AFRES is established at Robins AFB, Georgia.
Headquarters AFRES is established at Robins AFB, Georgia.
The
The Air
Air Reserve
Reserve Personnel
Personnel Center
Center at
at Denver,
Denver, Colorado,
Colorado, is
is
established as a separate operating agency.
established as a separate operating agency.
11 August:
August: USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command flies
flies 13,000
13,000 pounds
pounds
of disaster relief supplies to San Jose, Costa Rica, to aid
of disaster relief supplies to San Jose, Costa Rica, to aid the
the
victims
victims in
in the
the Mount
Mount Arenal
Arenal volcano
volcano eruption.
eruption.
16
16 August:
August: The
The first
first Minuteman
Minuteman IIIIII missile
missile is
is successfully
successfully
launched
launched from
from Cape
Cape Kennedy.
Kennedy. Equipped
Equipped with with multiple
multiple
independently targetable reentry vehicles, the Minuteman
independently targetable reentry vehicles, the Minuteman
III
III ICBM
ICBM can
can attack
attack three
three targets
targets simultaneously
simultaneously..
21
21 August:
August: An
An estimated
estimated 260
260 people
people are
are evacuated
evacuated andand
52,000 pounds of
52,000 pounds of food
food and
and personal
personal belongings
belongings are
are airlifted
airlifted
by
by a
a USAF
USAF UH-1F
UH-1F helicopter
helicopter during
during a
a four-day
four-day period
period aiding
aiding
flood
flood victims
victims in northeastern Nicaragua.
in northeastern Nicaragua.

53
53
25
25 August:
August: The
The North
North American
American OV-10
OV-10 Bronco,
Bronco, the
the U.S
U.S.. Air
Air
Force's
Force's newest
newest forward
forward air
air controller
controller aircraft,
aircraft, begins
begins a a
90-day combat evaluation program in South Vietnam.
90-day combat evaluation program in South Vietnam.
1I September:
September: While
While an an on-scene
on-scene commander
commander in in the
the
attempted
attempted rescue
rescue ofof aa downed
downed American
American pilot,
pilot, Lt
Lt Col
Col
William
William A. A. Jones
Jones III
III repeatedly
repeatedly flies
flies his
his Al-H
Al-H Skyraider
Skyraider
aircraft
aircraft over
over enemy
enemy gungun emplacements,
emplacements, sustaining
sustaining heavy
heavy
aircraft
aircraft damage
damage andand severe
severe burns
burns.. Discovering
Discovering his
his radio
radio
transmitters
transmitters are
are inoperative,
inoperative, Colonel
Colonel Jones
Jones refuses
refuses to
to egress
egress
his
his crippled
crippled aircraft
aircraft and,
and, in
in extreme
extreme pain,
pain, flies
flies back
back to
to base
base
where
where hehe reports
reports the
the downed
downed pilot's
pilot's location
location.. Colonel
Colonel Jones
Jones
receives
receives the
the Medal
Medal of
of Honor
Honor for
for his
his gallantry.
gallantry.
11
II October:
October: USAF
USAF units
units support
support the
the first
first manned
manned space
space
mission
mission inin NASA's
NASA's Apollo
Apollo project
project when
when three
three astronauts,
astronauts,
among
among them
them USAF
USAF Maj
Maj Donn
Donn F.F. Eisele,
Eisele, are
are launched
launched in
in the
the
Apollo
ApoUo 7 7 capsule
capsule into
into an
an 11-day
11-day earth
earth orbit
orbit from
from Cape
Cape
Kennedy.
Kennedy.
11 November:
November: President
President Johnson
Johnson halts
halts all
all bombing
bombing of
of North
North
Vietnam.
Vietnam.
26
26 November
November:: Piloting
Piloting aa UH-1F
UH-1F helicopter,
helicopter, 1st
1st Lt
Lt James
James P. P.
Fleming twice exposes his aircraft to intense hostile fire while
Fleming twice exposes his aircraft to intense hostile fire while
attempting to rescue
attempting to rescue aa special
special forces
forces reconnaissance
reconnaissance patrol
patrol..
Finally
Finally rescuing
rescuing the
the patrol,
patrol, Lieutenant
Lieutenant Fleming
Fleming returns
returns toto
base, eventually receiving the Medal of Honor for his gallantry.
base, eventually receiving the Medal of Honor for his gallantry.
21
21 December:
December: NASA's
NASA's Apollo
Apollo 8
8 begins
begins aa seven-day
seven-day mission
mission
from
from Cape
Cape Kennedy
Kennedy with
with various
various USAF
USAF units
units supporting
supporting the
the
mission.
mission. The
The astronauts
astronauts USAF
USAF Cols
Cols Frank
Frank Borman
Borman andand
William
William A.
A. Anders
Anders andand USN
USN Capt
Capt James
James A. A. Lovell
Lovell Jr.
Jr.
achieve
achieve man's
man's first
first circumlunar
circumlunar space
space travel
travel..

11969
Jti9
11 January:
January: The
The first
first AC-119
AC-119 Shadow
Shadow gunship
gunship combat
combat
mission
mission in
in Vietnam
Vietnam is is flown
flown by
by the
the AFRES
AFRES 71st
71st Special
Special
Operations
Operations Squadron
Squadron..
44 February
February:: The
The XB-70
XB-70 Valkyrie
Valkyrie research
research aircraft
aircraft is
is flown
flown to
to
Wright-Patterson
Wright-Patterson AFB,
AFB, Ohio,
Ohio, to
to become
become part
part of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force
Museum's
Museum's exhibit
exhibit of
of outstanding
outstanding and
and historic
historic aircraft
aircraft..

54
54
 February:: The
99 February The free world's first
free world's first tactical
tactical communications
communications
satellite,
satellite, the
the 1,600-pound
1,600-pound TACSAT
TACSAT 1, 1, is
is boosted
boosted into
into aa
geostationary
geostationary orbit from the
orbit from the Air
Air Force
Force Eastern
Eastern Test
Test Range,
Range,
Florida,
Florida, byby aa Titan
Titan IIIC
IIIC launch
launch vehicle.
vehicle. TACSAT
TACSAT satellites
satellites
are
are designed
designed to to relay
relay communications
communications among among small
small
land-mobile,
land-mobile, airborne,
airborne, oror shipborne
shipborne tactical
tactical stations
stations..
24 February: During
24 February: During a a night
night mission
mission inin support
support of of aa South
South
Vietnamese
Vietnamese armyarmy post,
post, an
an AC-47
AC-47 gunship
gunship on on which
which AIC A1C
John
John L.L. Levitow serves as
Levitow serves as loadmaster
loadmaster is is struck
struck by
by anan enemy
enemy
mortar
mortar shell.
shell. Although
Although seriously
seriously wounded
wounded and and stunned,
stunned,
Airman
Airman Levitow
Levitow flings
flings himself
himself on on aa smoking
smoking magnesium
magnesium
flare rolling in
flare rolling in the
the cargo
cargo compartment,
compartment, dragsdrags it to an
it to an open
open
cargo door, and ejects it. Almost immediately the flare
cargo door, and ejects it. Almost immediately the flare
ignites
ignites clear
clear of
of the
the aircraft
aircraft.. For
For this
this selfless
selfless heroism,
heroism,
Levitow
Levitow becomes
becomes thethe fourth
fourth enlisted
enlisted airman
airman to to win
win the
the
Medal
Medal of of Honor
Honor and
and the
the only
only enlisted
enlisted airman
airman to to win
win the
the
nation's highest military honor in Vietnam.
nation's highest military honor in Vietnam.
3-13 March: The
3-13 March: The Apollo 9 crew,
Apollo 9 crew, consisting
consisting of
of USAF
USAF Cols
Cols
James
James A. McDivitt and
A. McDivitt and David
David R.R. Scott
Scott and
and civilian
civilian Russell
Russell L.
L.
Schweikart,
Schweikart, begins
begins testing
testing the
the lunar
lunar module
module while
while in
in the
the
earth's
earth's orbit.
orbit. The
The crew
crew also
also makes
makes thethe first
first transfer
transfer between
between
space vehicles using an internal connection .
space vehicles using an internal connection.

«titr
Wm
■Hill

WSm

An AC-47 Dragonship fires its miniguns at a target on the ground. The

streak is from tracer bullets just fired from the aircraft's guns.

55
18
18 March
March:: Three
Three satellites
satellites containing
containing 1717 experiments
experiments inin the
the
Orbiting
Orbiting Vehicle
Vehicle Program
Program areare launched
launched from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg
AFB
AFB under
under the
the direction
direction of
of the
the Office
Office of
of Aerospace
Aerospace Research
Research
scientists
scientists to
to conduct
conduct basic
basic environmental
environmental research
research in
in near-
near-
earth
earth orbits
orbits..
4-10
4-10 April
April:: The
The 49th
49th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing redeploys
redeploys its
its 72
72
F-4D
F-4D aircraft
aircraft from
from Spangdahlem
Spangdahlem AB,AB, Germany,
Germany, to
to Holloman
Holloman
AFB,
AFB, New Mexico, accomplishing
New Mexico, accomplishing 504504 successful
successful aerial
aerial
refuelings
refuelings.. The
The wing
wing receives
receives the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for the
the
redeployment.
redeployment.
11
11 April
April:: The
The first
first Minuteman
Minuteman III
III ICBM
ICBM launch
launch at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg
AFB is accomplished by a SAC combat missile crew under
AFB is accomplished by a SAC combat missile crew under the
the
direction
direction of
of technicians
technicians from
from the
the AFSC
AFSC..
17
17 April
April:: The
The first
first free
free flight
flight of
of the
the X-24
X-24 lifting
lifting body
body is
is
completed
completed atat the
the Air
Air Force
Force Flight
Flight Test
Test Center,
Center, Edwards
Edwards AFB,
AFB,
with
with Maj
Maj Jerauld
Jerauld R.R. Gentry
Gentry at
at the
the controls
controls..
14
14 May:
May: USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command personnel
personnel begin
begin a
a
massive U.S. Air Force/State Department/Public Health
massive U.S. Air Force/State Department/Public Health
Service
Service campaign
campaign toto combat
combat an
an encephalitis
encephalitis epidemic
epidemic in
in
Ecuador.
Ecuador.
18-26
18-26 May:
May: Climaxing
Climaxing the
the Apollo
Apollo 10
JO mission,
mission, astronauts
astronauts Col
Col
Thomas
Thomas Stafford,
Stafford, USAF,
USAF, and
and Cmdr
Cmdr Eugene
Eugene A.
A. Cernan,
Cernan, USN,
USN,
approach
approach within
within nine
nine miles
miles of
of the
the lunar
lunar surface
surface in
in the
the lunar
lunar
module
module Snoopy.
Snoopy.
44 June
June:: The
The Thunderbirds,
Thunderbirds, the the USAF
USAF Air
Air Demonstration
Demonstration
Squadron,
Squadron, hold
hold their
their first
first exhibition
exhibition using
using the
the F-4
F-4 Phantom
Phantom
aircraft .
aircraft.
10
10 June:
June: AFSC
AFSC presents
presents the
the number
number oneone X-15
X-15 hypersonic
hypersonic
rocket-powered,
rocket-powered, manned
manned research
research aircraft
aircraft to
to the
the Smithsonian
Srnithsonian
Institution,
Institution, Washington,
Washington, D.
D. C.,
C, for
for display
display with
with other
other historic
historic
aircraft.
aircraft.
11 July
July:: USAF
USAF service
service numbers
numbers are are replaced
replaced by
by social
social
security account numbers for all military personnel.
security account numbers for all military personnel.
88 July:
July: The
The first
first of
of 25,000
25,000 troops
troops withdrawn
withdrawn from
from Southeast
Southeast
Asia
Asia under
under the
the administration's
administration's Vietnamization
Vietnamization policy
policy are
are
airlifted
airlifted aboard
aboard C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters from
from Vietnam
Vietnam to
to McChord
McChord
AFB,
AFB, Washington
Washington..

56
56
16
16 July:
July: The
The launch
launch of
of Apollo
Apollo 11,
11, the
the first
first manned
manned lunar
lunar
landing
landing mission,
mission, is
is supported
supported by
by USAF
USAF personnel
personnel world-
world-
wide.
wide.
17
17 July
July:: Alaskan
Alaskan Air
Air Command
Command assumes
assumes responsibility
responsibility for
for
resupplying
resupplying T-3 T-3 (Fletcher's
(Fletcher's Ice
Ice Island)
Island) with
with food,
food, fuel,
fuel,
equipment,
equipment, andand supplies.
supplies. T-3
T-3 is
is aa floating,
floating, 20-square-mile
20-square-mile
island
island used
used for
for weather
weather and
and other
other scientific
scientific research
research..
19 July:: USAF's
19 July USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command personnel
personnel and
and aircraft
aircraft
airlift
airlift emergency
emergency supplies
supplies as
as part
part of
of its
its role
role in
in a
a seven-nation
seven-nation
team
team helping
helping to
to mediate
mediate aa cease-fire
cease-fire inin the
the Honduras-El
Honduras-El
Salvador conflict.
Salvador conflict.

Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr., an Air Force colonel, walks
on the surface of the moon. Fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong took this
photo with the lunar surface camera.

57
20
20 July
July:: The
The Apollo
Apollo I111 mission
mission reaches
reaches the
the moon
moon.. The
The first
first
man on the moon is Neil Armstrong, a civilian. USAF Col
man on the moon is Neil Armstrong, a civilian. USAF Col
Edwin
Edwin E.E. Aldrin
Aldrin Jr.
Jr. becomes
becomes the
the second
second man
man toto set
set foot
foot on
on
the moon . While
the moon. While the
the two
two astronauts
astronauts spend
spend nearly
nearly three
three
hours
hours exploring
exploring the
the surface,
surface, Lt
Lt Col
Col Michael
Michael Collins,
Collins, USAF,
USAF,
orbits
orbits the
the moon
moon inin the
the command
command module
module forfor 59
59 hours,
hours, 27
27
minutes,
minutes, 5555 seconds
seconds.. The
The Apollo
Apollo 1111 crew
crew will
will later
later receive
receive
numerous awards, including, in 1970, the Gen Thomas D.
numerous awards, including, in 1970, the Gen Thomas D.
White
White Space
Space Trophy,
Trophy, thethe Collier
Collier Trophy,
Trophy, andand the
the Harmon
Harmon
Trophy.
Trophy.
25
25 August:
August: MAC
MAC crews
crews complete
complete the
the first
first aerial
aerial refueling
refueling of
of
the
the C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy jet
jet cargo
cargo transport.
transport.
22 September:
September: Scientists
Scientists atat the
the Air
Air Force
Force Cambridge
Cambridge
Research
Research Laboratory's
Laboratory's Lunar
Lunar Laser
Laser Observatory
Observatory bounce
bounce aa
laser
laser signal
signal off
off the
the retroreflector
retroreflector placed
placed on
on the
the moon
moon by
by
Apollo 11 astronauts .
Apollo 11 astronauts.
88 October:
October: Helicopter
Helicopter crews
crews from
from the
the 58th
58th Aerospace
Aerospace
Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery Squadron,
Squadron, Wheelus
Wheelus AB,
AB, Libya,
Libya, save
save
the
the lives
lives of
of more than 2,500
more than 2,500 Tunisians
Tunisians during
during aa six-day
six-day
rescue
rescue mission
mission' and
and airlift
airlift food,
food, water,
water, clothing,
clothing, and
and
medicine
medicine to
to the
the flood-stricken
flood-stricken area
area..
29
29 October:
October: SAC
SAC announces
announces the the phaseout
phaseout of
of all
all B-58
B-58
Hustler
Hustler strategic
strategic bombers
bombers from
from USAF
USAF inventory.
inventory. The
The
Hustler
Hustler entered
entered operational
operational service
service in
in August
August 1960
1960..
14
14 November:
November: USAF
USAF personnel
personnel at
at locations
locations throughout
throughout the
the
world support the Apollo 12 launch and recovery operations .
world support the Apollo 12 launch and recovery operations.
17 December:: USAF
17 December USAF concludes
concludes the
the UFO
UFO reporting
reporting and
and
investigating
investigating project
project designated
designated "Blue
"Blue Book."
Book."
18
18 December
December:: Air
Air Force
Force Missile
Missile Development
Development Center
Center crews
crews
complete
complete the
the first
first guided
guided launch
launch ofof the
the Maverick
Maverick (AGM-65)
(AGM-65)
missile-an
missile—an air-to-surface
air-to-surface television-guided
television-guided missile
missile capable
capable
of
of attacking
attacking close-in
close-in targets
targets in
in movement.
movement.
23
23 December
December:: McDonnell
McDonnell Douglas
Douglas is is named
named prime
prime
contractor for the USAF's F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter.
contractor for the USAF's F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter.
With
With a
a top
top speed
speed of 920 mph,
of 920 mph, the
the heavily
heavily armed
armed fighter
fighter will
will
have a ferry range of 3,450 nautical miles.
have a ferry range of 3,450 nautical miles.

58
1970
1970
5
5 January:
January: Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense Command's
Command's Backup Backup
Intercept
Intercept Control
Control (BUIC)
(BUIC) III
III radar
radar system
system becomes
becomes fully fully
operational with the acceptance of the facility at the 80th
operational with the acceptance of the facility at the 80th
Air
Air Defense
Defense Group,
Group, Fortuna
Fortuna AFS,
AFS, North
North Dakota.
Dakota. Designed
Designed to to
provide immediate information on any airborne threat to the
provide immediate information on any airborne threat to the
North
North American
American continent,
continent, the
the BUIC
BUIC IIIIII system
system augments
augments
the
the SAGE
SAGE system.
system.
10
10 January:
January: AFSC
AFSC engineers
engineers at
at Kirtland
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico,
AFB, New Mexico,
test a small, portable water treatment plant capable of
test a small, portable water treatment plant capable of
producing 4,000 gallons
producing 4,000 gallons of
of drinking
drinking water
water aa day
day from
from
sewage.
sewage.
17
17 January:
January: Reserve
Reserve aircrews
aircrews airlift
airlift carpenters
carpenters and
and painters
painters
to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help repair damage caused by
to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help repair damage caused by
Hurricane
Hurricane Camille.
Camille.
27
27 January:
January: The
The first
first increment
increment of
of aa 64-man
64-man AirAir Training
Training
Command mobile training team is deployed to Vietnam to
Command mobile training team is deployed to Vietnam to
assist
assist in
in the
the establishment
establishment of of 1717 basic
basic maintenance
maintenance
training
training courses.
courses. These
These courses
courses form
form the
the foundation
foundation ofof
training to support further expansion of the Vietnamese air
training to support further expansion of the Vietnamese air
force
force capabilities
capabilities..
30 January:: Operational
30 January Operational control of the
control of first Skynet
the first Skynet communi-
communi-
cations
cations satellite
satellite is
is turned
turned over
over toto the
the United
United Kingdom
Kingdom after
after
launch and orbit insertion on 8 January by AFSC's Space and
launch and orbit insertion on 8 January by AFSC's Space and
Missile
Missile Systems
Systems Organization
Organization..
33 February
February:: USAF
USAF rescue
rescue crews
crews from
from the
the 36th
36th Aerospace
Aerospace
Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Yokota AB, begin rescue
Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Yokota AB, begin rescue of
of
44
44 seamen
seamen from one ship
from one ship sinking
sinking and 59 seamen
and 59 seamen involved
involved
in
in another
another ship
ship sinking
sinking in
in the
the North
North Pacific-the
Pacific—the Liberian
Liberian
freighter Antonious
freighter Antonious Demades
Demades and
and the Japanese freighter
the Japanese freighter
California.
California Maru.
Mam.
27
27 February
February:: The
The first
first F-111E
F-l 1 IE arrives
arrives at
at the Air Force
the Air Force Flight
Flight
Test Center, Edwards AFB,
Test Center, Edwards AFB, for
for flight
flight testing.
testing.
27
27 February
February:: DOD
DOD selects
selects Pratt
Pratt and Whitney Aircraft
and Whitney Aircraft to
to
develop and produce engines for USAF F-15 and Navy
develop and produce engines for USAF F-l5 and Navy
F-14B
F-14B aircraft
aircraft..

59
59
15
15 March:
March: The
The overseas
overseas portion
portion of
of the
the worldwide
worldwide automatic
automatic
voice network (AUTOVON) is completed, making it possible
voice network (AUTOVON) is completed, making it possible
to
to call
call any
any U.S.
U.S. military
military installation
installation in
in the
the world.
world.
19 March : The
19 March: The X-24
X-24 lifting
lifting body
body successfully
successfully completes
completes its
its
first powered flight over Edwards AFB. It is piloted by Maj
first powered flight over Edwards AFB. It is piloted by Maj
Jerauld
Jerauld R.
R. Gentry,
Gentry, aa test
test pilot
pilot at
at the
the Air
Air Force
Force Flight
Flight Test
Test
Center.
Center.
20
20 March
March:: The
The first
first of
of two
two communications
communications satellites
satellites for
for the
the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization_ is launched from the Air
North Atlantic Treaty Organization is launched from the Air
Force
Force Eastern
Eastern Test
Test Range,
Range, Cape
Cape Kennedy
Kennedy AFS,
AFS, on
on aa Thor-
Thor-
Delta booster.
Delta booster.
24
24 March:
March: The
The President
President mobilizes
mobilizes certain
certain AFRES
AFRES and
and ANG
ANG
units
units to
to support
support the
the U .S. Post
U.S. Post Office
Office during
during aa strike
strike by
by
postal
postal employees.
employees.
24
24 March:
March: The
The first
first launching
launching ofof the
the Bomarc
Bomarc "B"
"B" guided
guided
missile, using the new BUIC III computerized command and
missile, using the new BUIC III computerized command and
control
control equipment,
equipment, isis completed
completed at
at Tyndall
Tyndall AFB,
AFB, Florida.
Florida.
30
30 March
March:: USAFE
USAFE dispatches
dispatches medical
medical teams
teams and
and support
support
personnel
personnel from units in
from units in Turkey
Turkey to
to provide
provide medical
medical aid
aid and
and
other
other humanitarian
humanitarian services to thousands
services to thousands of of earthquake
earthquake
victims of Gediz,
victims of Gediz, Turkey,
Turkey, and
and surrounding
surrounding villages
villages..
31
31 March:
March: Phaseout
Phaseout of
of the
the last
last Mace
Mace missile
missile is
is completed
completed..
The missiles are stored at the Military Aircraft Storage and
The missiles are stored at the Military Aircraft Storage and
Disposition
Disposition Center,
Center, Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB,AFB, for
for possible
possible use
use as
as
subsonic
subsonic target
target drones
drones..
1I April:
April: SAC's
SAC's postattack
postattack command
command andand control
control system
system is
is
reorganized
reorganized and
and relocated
relocated to
to inland
inland operating
operating bases
bases at
at
Offutt
Offutt AFB,
AFB, Nebraska
Nebraska;; Grissom
Grissom AFB,
AFB, Indiana;
Indiana; and
and Ellsworth
Ellsworth
AFB,
AFB, North
North Dakota
Dakota..
10
10 April:
April: Air
Air Training
Training Command
Command completes
completes shipment
shipment of
of 872
872
trainers
trainers under
under Project
Project Pacer
Pacer Bravo
Bravo in
in support
support of
of the
the
Vietnamese
Vietnamese air force improvement and modernization
air force improvement and modernization
program.
program.
11
II April:
April: TAC
TAC gains
gains its
its first
first ANG
ANG tactical
tactical airlift
airlift unit
unit when
when
the 146th Tactical
the 146th Tactical Airlift
Airlift Wing,
Wing, California
California ANG,
ANG, is is formally
formally
reorganized.
reorganized.

60
60
11
11 April:
April: Personnel
Personnel and
and aircraft
aircraft from
from the
the USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern
Command
Command begin
begin an
an assistance
assistance program
program for
for flood
flood victims
victims in
in
Costa Rica and Panama . Thirty-eight are dead and
Costa Rica and Panama. Thirty-eight are dead and
thousands
thousands left
left homeless
homeless..
11-17
11-17 April:
April: The
The USAF
USAF supports
supports launch
launch and
and recovery
recovery of
of the
the
disastrous
disastrous Apollo
Apollo 13
13 flight,
flight, which
which was
was aborted
aborted 56
56 hours
hours into
into
the
the mission because of
mission because mechanical failures
of mechanical failures..
14
14 April
April:: The
The first
first airlift
airlift of
of an
an operational
operational Minuteman
Minuteman IIIIII
missile
missile isis accomplished
accomplished by by a
a C-141 Starlifter.. The
C-141 Starlifter The missile
missile is
is
airlifted
airlifted from
from Hill
Hill AFB,
AFB, Utah,
Utah, to
to Minot
Minot AFB,
AFB, North
North Dakota.
Dakota.
44 May:
May: A A SAC
SAC task
task force
force of
of four
four B-52s
B-52s wins
wins the
the Blue
Blue Steel
Steel
Trophy for best results in combined bombing and
Trophy for best results in combined bombing and
navigation during the
navigation during the Royal
Royal Air
Air Force
Force (RAF)
(RAF) Strike
Strike
Command bombing and navigation competition at RAF
Command bombing and navigation competition at RAF
Station,
Station, Marham,
Marham, England.
England.
55 May:
May: Air
Air Force
Force Reserve
Reserve Officer
Officer Training
Training Corps
Corps expands
expands toto
include
include women
women after
after test
test programs
programs atat Ohio
Ohio State,
State, Drake,
Drake,
East
East Carolina,
Carolina, and
and Auburn
Auburn Universities
Universities prove
prove successful.
successful.
88 May:
May: AnAn AC-119K
AC-119K Shadow
Shadow gunship
gunship attacks
attacks one
one of
of the
the
most
most heavily
heavily defended
defended road
road sections
sections inin Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia..
Despite
Despite the
the loss
loss of 15 feet
of 15 feet of
of the
the aircraft's
aircraft's right
right wing
wing and
and
one
one aileron,
aileron, the
the crew
crew destroys
destroys three
three enemy
enemy supply
supply trucks
trucks
and
and successfully
successfully returns
returns toto base.
base. For
For this
this feat,
feat, the
the crew
crew will
will
receive the Mackay Trophy.
receive the Mackay Trophy.
22 June
June:: USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command personnel
personnel and
and aircraft
aircraft
from
from Howard
Howard andand Albrook
Albrook AFBs,
AFBs, Canal
Canal Zone,
Zone, and
and C-130s
C-130s
from
from Lockbourne
Lockbourne AFB,AFB, Ohio,
Ohio, begin
begin massive
massive disaster
disaster relief
relief
operations
operations for
for victims
victims ofof aa devastating
devastating earthquake
earthquake inin Peru
Peru
that
that killed
killed 70,000
70,000 and
and left
left 800,000
800,000 homeless
homeless.. InIn 31
31 days,
days,
USAFSO
USAFSO crews
crews airlift
airlift 11.5
.5 million
million pounds
pounds of supplies and
of supplies and
equipment
equipment and and 2,827
2,827 passengers
passengers andand make
make 501501 medical
medical
evacuations, while operating under practically bare-base
evacuations, while operating under practically bare-base
conditions
conditions 1,500
1,500 miles
miles from
from their
their home
home base.
base.
55 June
June:: North
North American
American Rockwell
Rockwell (airframe)
(airframe) and
and General
General
Electric
Electric (engines)
(engines) contracts
contracts are
are signed
signed forfor engineering
engineering aa
development
development of of the
the B-1,
B-l, the
the proposed
proposed follow-on
follow-on weapon
weapon
system
system to
to replace
replace the
the B-52
B-52 aircraft
aircraft..

6611
66 June
June:: Gen
Gen Jack
Jack J J.. Catton,
Catton, commander,
commander, MAC,MAC, accepts
accepts
delivery
delivery of
of the
the first
first C-5
C-5 for
for operational
operational use
use in
in the
the Air
Air Force.
Force.
19
19 June
June:: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of Minuteman
Minuteman III
III missiles
missiles becomes
becomes
operational at Minot AFB.
operational at Minot AFB.
22 June:: A
22 June A USAF
USAF PRIME
PRIME BEEF
BEEF (Base
(Base Engineer
Engineer Emergency
Emergency
Force)
Force) team
team from
from Chanute
Chanute AFB,
AFB, Illinois,
Illinois, restores the water
restores the water
system
system to to Crescent
Crescent City,
City, Illinois,
Illinois, following
following explosions
explosions and
and
fire
fire that
that wiped
wiped out
out the
the business
business district.
district.
July : The
55 July: The first
first contract
contract for
for the
the new
new airborne
airborne warning
warning and
and
control
control system
system (AWACS)
(AWACS) aircraft
aircraft is
is let
let to
to the
the Boeing
Boeing
Company.
Company. The The AWACS
AWACS fleet
fleet serves
serves asas airborne
airborne combat
combat
direction
direction centers
centers for
for Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense Command.
Command.
14
14 July
July:: The
The C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy completes
completes its
its first
first transpacific
transpacific
flight of 21,500 miles, inaugurating service to Hickam AFB;
flight of 21,500 miles, inaugurating service to Hickam AFB;
Andersen
Andersen AFB;
AFB; Clark
Clark AB,
AB, Republic
Republic of
of the
the Philippines;
Philippines; and
and
Kadena AB, Okinawa.
Kadena AB, Okinawa.
20
20 July
July:: Electronics
Electronics Systems
Systems Division,
Division, L.
L. G
G.. Hanscom
Hanscom Field,
Field,
Massachusetts,
Massachusetts, turns
turns over
over to
to the
the Air
Air Force
Force Communications
Communications
Service the recently completed photo relay system known
Service the recently completed photo relay system known as as
Compass
Compass Link Link.. Using
Using three
three ground
ground stations
stations and
and two
two
satellites, Compass Link can transmit exposed film from
satellites, Compass Link can transmit exposed film from
Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia to
to the
the Pentagon
Pentagon via
via electronic
electronic signals
signals and
and
laser beams.
laser beams.
31
31 July
July:: The
The first
first class
class of
of Vietnamese students under
Vietnamese students under the
the
president's
president's Vietnamization
Vietnamization Program
Program completes
completes the
the
Undergraduate
Undergraduate PilotPilot Training
Training course
course at Keesler AFB,
at Keesler AFB,
Mississippi.
Mississippi.
August:
August: Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense Melvin
Melvin Laird
Laird announces
announces thethe
Total
Total Force
Force Concept
Concept of of the
the armed
armed services
services.. USAF
USAF
incorporates
incorporates capabilities
capabilities of of Air
Air Force
Force Reserve and Air
Reserve and Air
National
National Guard
Guard (together,
(together, the
the Air
Air Reserve
Reserve Forces)
Forces) into
into all
all
aspects
aspects of
of planning
planning and
and budgeting.
budgeting. These
These forces
forces also
also take
take
on
on a
a far
far greater role in
greater role in normal
normal USAF
USAF operations.
operations.
4
4 August:
August: Aircrews
Aircrews ofof the
the AFRES
AFRES airlift
airlift 73
73 mentally
mentally and
and
physically handicapped children from Corpus Christi to
physically handicapped children from Corpus Christi to
Austin,
Austin, Texas,
Texas, after
after Hurricane
Hurricane Celia
Celia destroyed
destroyed their
their school.
school.

62
62
66 August:
August: TheThe United
United States
States and
and Spain
Spain sign
sign aa five-year
five-year
agreement
agreement allowing
allowing the
the United
United States
States to continue shared
to continue shared
use
use of
of four
four Spanish
Spanish military
military bases.
bases. In
In return,
return, the
the United
United
States will contribute to the modernization of the Spanish
States will contribute to the modernization of the Spanish
armed
armed forces
forces..
24
24 August:
August: Two USAF search
Two USAF search and
and rescue
rescue helicopters,
helicopters,
HH-53
HH-53 Sea Sea Stallions,
Stallions, successfully
successfully complete
complete the
the first
first
nonstop transpacific helicopter crossing in a 9,000-mile
nonstop transpacific helicopter crossing in a 9,000-mile
ferry flight from
ferry flight from Eglin
Eglin AFB
AFB to
to Da
Da Nang
Nang Airport,
Airport, Vietnam.
Vietnam.
17
17 September-28
September-28 October:
October: C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft
assigned
assigned to to the
the USAFE
USAFE and
and MAC
MAC participate
participate in
in Operation
Operation
Fig
Fig Hill,
Hill, transporting
transporting food,
food, medical
medical supplies,
supplies, and
and equipment
equipment
to
to Jordan.
Jordan. The The supplies
supplies relieve
relieve suffering
suffering resulting
resulting from
from
internal
internal conflict
conflict..
22 October:
October: TheThe USAF
USAF Special
Special Operations
Operations Force,
Force, Hurlburt
Hurlburt
Field, Florida, takes possession of the new UH-1N Bell Twin
Field, Florida, takes possession of the new UH-1N Bell Twin
Huey
Huey.. It
It is
is the
the first
first operational
operational unit
unit in
in the
the Air
Air Force
Force to
to have
have
the
the helicopter
helicopter..
11
11 October:
October: TheThe first
first USAF
USAF Undergraduate
Undergraduate Helicopter
Helicopter Pilot
Pilot
Training student enters training at Fort Wolters, Texas. The
Training student enters training at Fort Wolters, Texas. The
U.S.
U.S. Army
Army trains
trains 225
225 helicopter
helicopter pilots
pilots for
for the
the Air
Air Force
Force
annually .
annually.
21
21 October:
October: The
The X-24A
X-24A aerospace
aerospace vehicle
vehicle makes
makes its
its first
first
supersonic speed-flight at the Air Force Flight Test Center,
supersonic speed-flight at the Air Force Flight Test Center,
Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
27
27 October:
October: Doctors
Doctors atat Wilford
Wilford Hall
Hall USAF
USAF Medical
Medical Center,
Center,
Lackland
Lackland AFB,
AFB, develop
develop aa new
new device
device to
to save
save infants
infants who
who are
are
suffocating. Costing only about $1,000 and built from various
suffocating. Costing only about $1,000 and built from various
standard
standard hospital
hospital components,
components, thethe device
device gives
gives physicians
physicians
precise control over pressure, composition, and volume of
precise control over pressure, composition, and volume of air,
air,
oxygen,
oxygen, and
and mists
mists to
to help
help newborn
newborn babies
babies breathe.
breathe.
11 November
November:: During
During their
their off-duty
off-duty time,
time, USAF
USAF physicians
physicians
assigned
assigned to
to USAF
USAF Hospital,
Hospital, Wurtsmith
Wurtsmith AFB,
AFB, Michigan,
Michigan,
begin free medical care for nearby Chippewa native
begin free medical care for nearby Chippewa native
American
American residents
residents under
under the
the Domestic
Domestic Action
Action Program.
Program.
11 November
November:: The 336th Tactical
The 336th Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron begins
begins
testing
testing new
new bare-base
bare-base mobility
mobility equipment
equipment in
in aa field
field exercise
exercise

63
63
at
at North
North Field,
Field, South
South Carolina
Carolina.. The
The exercise
exercise demonstrates
demonstrates
the
the capability
capability to
to deploy
deploy to
to and
and operate
operate from
from aa bare-base
bare-base site
site
using
using specially
specially designed
designed air-transportable
air-transportable expendable
expendable
shelters
shelters andand work
work facilities,
facilities, including
including dormitories,
dormitories,
workshops,
workshops, hangars,
hangars, control
control towers,
towers, medical
medical facilities,
facilities, and
and
electric
electric and
and water
water systems.
systems.
13
13 November
November:: AnAn initial
initial class
class ofof 100
100 USAF
USAF medical
medical
technicians
technicians begins
begins specialized
specialized clinical
clinical training
training to
to qualify
qualify them
them
to
to perform
perform many
many ofof the
the tasks
tasks previously
previously performed
performed byby doctors.
doctors.
Graduates
Graduates will
will suture
suture wounds,
wounds, apply
apply and
and remove
remove casts
casts and
and
dressings,
dressings, and
and accomplish routine physical examinations.
accomplish routine physical examinations.
17
17 November:
November: C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters of
of MAC
MAC begin
begin the
the airlift
airlift of
of
men and equipment to Dacca, East Pakistan, to aid that
men and equipment to Dacca, East Pakistan, to aid that
country's
country's recovery
recovery from
from massive
massive tidal
tidal waves.
waves.
20
20 November:
November: USAF's
USAF's Southern
Southern Command
Command celebrates
celebrates its
its
30th
30th anniversary
anniversary as
as aa major
major air
air command,
command, while
while its
its aircraft
aircraft
and
and personnel
personnel assist
assist Colombians
Colombians hard
hard hit
hit by
by floods
floods..
21
21 November:
November: A A special
special task
task force
force of
of Air
Air Force
Force and
and Army
Army
volunteers make a daring but unsuccessful attempt to
volunteers make a daring but unsuccessful attempt to
rescue
rescue American
American servicemen
servicemen from from the the Son
Son Tay
Tay
prisoner-of-war
prisoner-of-war (POW)
(POW) camp
camp 20 20 miles
miles west
west ofof Hanoi.
Hanoi. Brig
Brig
Gen
Gen Leroy
Leroy JJ.. Manor
Manor leads
leads the
the mission
mission and and is
is one
one of
of 39
39
USAF
USAF personnel
personnel participating
participating in
in the
the effort
effort..
5
5 December:
December: Air Air Force
Force Reservists
Reservists from
from the
the 945th
945th Military
Military
Airlift
Airlift Group,
Group, Hill
Hill AFB, assist in
AFB, assist in aa domestic
domestic action
action program
program
to
to provide
provide 40,000
40,000 pounds
pounds of
of food
food and
and clothing
clothing to
to Navajo
Navajo
native
native Americans
Americans on on reservations
reservations spanning
spanning the
the corners
corners ofof
four
four states
states..
16
16 December:
December: The
The 509th
509th Bombardment
Bombardment Wing,
Wing, Pease
Pease AFB,
AFB,
New
New Hampshire,
Hampshire, receives
receives the
the first
first FB-111A
FB-111A Aardvark
Aardvark
assigned to a
assigned to a SAC
SAC combat
combat unit
unit..

1971
1 49 7 1

88 January:
January: USAF's
USAF's first
first tactical
tactical squadron
squadron of
of Minuteman
Minuteman III
III
missiles
missiles is
is completed
completed byby AFSC
AFSC atat Minot
Minot AFB.
AFB. The
The squadron
squadron
consists
consists of
of five
five manned
manned launch-control
launch-control centers
centers and
and 50
50
unmanned
unmanned silo
silo launchers.
launchers.

64
64
21-25
21-25 February:
February: More
More than
than 1,200
1,200 national
national guardsmen
guardsmen assist
assist
in
in disaster
disaster relief
relief operations
operations in
in six
six states
states hit
hit by
by tornadoes,
tornadoes,
snowstorms, and earthquakes. ANG participation includes the
snowstorms, and earthquakes. ANG participation includes the
airdrop
airdrop ofof 300
300 tons
tons of
of hay
hay to
to snowbound
snowbound cattle
cattle by
by C-124
C-124
aircraft
aircraft assigned
assigned toto the
the Oklahoma
Oklahoma ANG.
ANG.
27
27 February
February:: USAF
USAF launches
launches Operation
Operation Haylift
Haylift in
in response
response
to urgent pleas from farmers in blizzard-swept Kansas and
to urgent pleas from farmers in blizzard-swept Kansas and
drops
drops 35,000
35,000 bales
bales (nearly
(nearly a million pounds)
a million pounds) of of hay
hay for
for
275,000
275,000 cattle
cattle stranded
stranded in
in deep
deep snow.
snow. The
The hay
hay isis provided
provided
by
by the
the American
American Humane
Humane Society.
Society.
22 March
March:: USAF
USAF introduces
introduces aa policy
policy permitting
permitting women
women who
who
become pregnant to remain on active duty or to be discharged
become pregnant to remain on active duty or to be discharged
and
and return
return to duty within
to duty within 12
12 months
months ofof discharge.
discharge.
10
10 March:
March: Ten
Ten Japanese
Japanese fishermen
fishermen shipwrecked
shipwrecked 200
200 miles
miles
southwest
southwest ofof Kadena,
Kadena, Okinawa,
Okinawa, are
are saved
saved from
from rough
rough surf
surf
and a coral reef by an Air Force helicopter crew.
and a coral reef by an Air Force helicopter crew.
17
17 March:
March: Jane
Jane Leslie
Leslie Holley
Holley becomes
becomes the
the first
first woman
woman
commissioned
commissioned through
through the
the Air
Air Force
Force Reserve
Reserve Officer
Officer
Training
Training Corps
Corps program
program.. She
She graduated from Auburn
graduated from Auburn
University
University in
in Alabama.
Alabama.
18
18 March
March:: Capt
Capt Marcelite
Marcelite C.
C. Jordon
Jordon becomes
becomes the
the first
first
woman
woman aircraft
aircraft maintenance
maintenance officer
officer after
after completing
completing the
the
Aircraft
Aircraft Maintenance
Maintenance Officer
Officer School.
School.
7
7 April:
April: 2d
2d LtLt Susanne
Susanne M.M. Ocobock
Ocobock becomes
becomes the
the first
first
woman civil engineer in the Air Force and is assigned to
woman civil engineer in the Air Force and is assigned to
Kelly
Kelly AFB,
AFB, Texas.
Texas.
26
26 April
April:: Crewing
Crewing an an SR-71
SR-71 Blackbird
Blackbird strategic
strategic
reconnaissance
reconnaissance aircraft
aircraft assigned
assigned to to the
the 9th
9th Strategic
Strategic
Reconnaissance Wing, Lt Col Thomas B. Estes, aircraft
Reconnaissance Wing, Lt Col Thomas B. Estes, aircraft
commander,
commander, and and Maj
Maj Dewain
Dewain C C.. Vick,
Vick, reconnaissance
reconnaissance
systems
systems officer,
officer, make
make a a record-breaking
record-breaking 15,000-mile
15,000-mile
nonstop flight, at time attaining speeds in excess of
nonstop flight, at time attaining speeds in excess of Mach
Mach 3.
3.
16
16 June-18
June-18 July:
July: Four
Four C-130s
C-130s from
from Pope
Pope AFB,
AFB, North
North
Carolina,
Carolina, fly
fly 308
308 sorties
sorties in Operation Bonny
in Operation Bonny Jack,
Jack, the
the
humanitarian
humanitarian airlift
airlift of
of East
East Pakistani
Pakistani refugees
refugees from
from the
the
Indian border state of Tripura to resettlement areas in
Indian border state of Tripura to resettlement areas in
Gauhati,
Gauhati, further
further inland.
inland. On
On return
return flights
flights they
they carry
carry more
more

65
65
than
than 1,750
1,750 tons
tons of
of rice
rice to
to feed
feed refugees
refugees remaining
remaining inin
Tripura.
Tripura. OnOn the
the initial
initial deployment
deployment from
from the
the continental
continental
U.S., the C-130s deliver one million doses of anticholera
U.S., the C-130s deliver one million doses of anticholera
vaccine
vaccine to
to India.
India.
11 July:
July: Selfridge
Selfridge AFB,
AFB, Michigan,
Michigan, isis turned
turned overover by
by the
the
Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense Command
Command toto the
the ANG.
ANG. It It is
is the
the first
first major
major
active
active USAF
USAF base
base to
to come
come under
under control
control of
of the
the Air
Air Guard.
Guard.
11-22
11-22 July
July:: Seven
Seven UC-123K
UC-123K Providers
Providers from
from Langley
Langley AFB
AFB
and
and Hurlburt
Hurlburt Field
Field and
and eight
eight C-47
C-47 Skytrains
Skytrains from
from England
England
AFB
AFB spray
spray more
more than
than 22.5
.5 million
million acres
acres in
in southeastern
southeastern
Texas
Texas with
with malathion
malathion to
to combat
combat an
an outbreak
outbreak ofof Venezuelan
Venezuelan
Equine
Equine Encephalomyelitis.
Encephalomyelitis. TheThe operation,
operation, conducted
conducted inin
conjunction with the U .S. Department of Agriculture, is
conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is
nicknamed
nicknamed Combat
Combat Vee.
Vee.
16
16 July
July:: Jeanne
Jeanne M. Holm, director
M. Holm, director of
of WAF,
WAF, is
is promoted
promoted to
to
brigadier
brigadier general,
general, becoming
becoming thethe first
first woman
woman toto attain
attain
general
general officer
officer rank
rank in
in the
the Air
Air Force.
Force.
23
23 July:
July: Hughes
Hughes Aircraft
Aircraft Company
Company is
is awarded
awarded aa $70
$70 million
million
contract
contract to
to build
build 2,000
2,000 Maverick
Maverick (AGM-65A)
(AGM-65A) air-to-surface
air-to-surface
missiles
missiles for
for use
use on
on F-4E
F-4E and
and A-7D
A-7D aircraft.
aircraft.
26
26 July
July:: With
With anan all-Air
all-Air Force
Force crew
crew composed
composed of Col David
of Col David
R. Scott, Lt Col James B. Irwin, and Maj Alfred M. Worden,
R. Scott, Lt Col James B. Irwin, and Maj Alfred M. Worden,
Apollo
Apollo 1515 blasts
blasts off
off from
from Cape
Cape Kennedy.
Kennedy. TheThe mission
mission is is
described as the most scientifically important and,
described as the most scientifically important and,
potentially,
potentially, the
the most
most perilous
perilous lunar
lunar trip
trip since
since the
the first
first
landing. Millions of viewers throughout the world watch as
landing. Millions of viewers throughout the world watch as
color
color TV
TV cameras
cameras cover
cover Scott
Scott and
and Irwin
Irwin as
as they
they explore
explore the
the
lunar
lunar surface
surface using
using aa moon-rover
moon-rover vehicle
vehicle for
for the
the first
first time
time..
29
29 July
July:: The
The experimental
experimental USAF
USAF X-24A
X-24A lifting
lifting body
body
completes its flight-test program.
completes its flight-test program.
10
10 September:
September: The The USAF's
USAF's 17th 17th Special
Special Operations
Operations
Squadron
Squadron fliesflies its
its final
final AG-119G
AG-119G gunship
gunship mission
mission and
and
begins
begins transferring
transferring itsits aircraft
aircraft to
to the
the Vietnamese
Vietnamese air
air force.
force.
Nicknamed
Nicknamed Shadow
Shadow for for its
its close
close air
air support
support and
and interdiction
interdiction
of
of enemy
enemy supply
supply lines
lines on on night
night missions,
missions, the
the AC-119
AC-119
aircraft are the first gunships assigned to the Vietnamese,
aircraft are the first gunships assigned to the Vietnamese,
who
who operate
operate them
them from
from Tan
Tan Son
Son Nhut
Nhut AB.
AB.

66
66
12-16
12-16 September:
September: Three USAF aircraft
Three USAF aircraft fly
fly to Nicaragua to
to Nicaragua to
assist disaster
assist disaster relief
relief operations
operations in
in the
the aftermath
aftermath of
of
Hurricane Edith. Cargo includes food, medical
Hurricane Edith. Cargo includes food, medical supplies,
supplies,
tents,
tents, a
a USAF
USAF radio
radio jeep to assist
jeep to assist inin the coordination of
the coordination of
emergency
emergency operations,
operations, and
and fuel
fuel for
for rescue
rescue helicopters.
helicopters.
14 September: Fifteen
14 September: Fifteen USAF
USAF C-7 Caribou aircraft
C-7 Caribou aircraft begin
begin aa ten-
ten-
day, 8,000-mile return flight to
day, 8,000-mile return flight to McClellan
McClellan AFB,
AFB, California,
California, from
from
Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay AB,
AB, Vietnam. While in
Vietnam. While in Southeast
Southeast Asia,
Asia, the
the
transport aircraft flew
transport aircraft flew from
from unimproved airstrips providing
unimproved airstrips providing
fresh foodstuffs and supplies
fresh foodstuffs and supplies to
to otherwise
otherwise inaccessible
inaccessible
outposts
outposts..

1J72
1972
31
31 January:
January: Air Training Command
Air Training Command accepts its last
accepts its last T-38
T-38
Talon aircraft (tail no. 70-1956) at
Talon aircraft (tail no. 70-1956) at Palmdale,
Palmdale, California
California..
17
17 February: Air Force
February: Air Force One,
One, aa VC-137 Stratoliner aircraft
VC-137 Stratoliner aircraft be-
be-
longing to the 89th Military Airlift Wing, departs Andrews AFB,
longing to the 89th Military Airlift Wing, departs Andrews AFB,
Maryland, carrying President
Maryland, carrying President and
and Mrs. Nixon on
Mrs. Nixon on their
their historic
historic
trip to China to meet with
trip to China to meet with Chinese
Chinese premier
premier Chou
Chou En-Lai.
En-Lai.
March:: The
11 March The first
first production line short-range
production line short-range attack
attack
missile is delivered to SAC .
missile is delivered to SAC.
April
April:: In
In Operation Constant Guard,
Operation Constant following the
Guard, following the North
North
Vietnamese spring offensive, MAC helps move the 49th
Vietnamese spring offensive, MAC helps move the 49th
Tactical
Tactical Fighter Wing's 3,195
Fighter Wing's 3,195 airmen
airmen and 1,600 tons
and 1,600 tons of
of
cargo from Holloman AFB to Takhli,
cargo from Holloman AFB to Takhli, Thailand,
Thailand, in
in nine
nine days.
days.
11 April
April:: Air Training Command
Air Training Command activates the Community
activates the Community
College of the Air Force at Randolph AFB.
College of the Air Force at Randolph AFB.
April:: American
66 April American aircraft and warships
aircraft and warships begin
begin heavy,
heavy,
sustained attacks on North Vietnam for the first time since
sustained attacks on North Vietnam for the first time since
cessation
cessation of bombing in
of bombing in October
October 1968
1968..
10 April: B-52
10 April: B-52 Stratofortress aircraft resume
Stratofortress aircraft deep penetration
resume deep penetration
raids that had been
raids that had been halted
halted since
since 31
31 October
October 1968
1968 into
into
North Vietnam.
North Vietnam.
27
27 April
April:: Four USAF fighter
Four USAF crews, releasing
fighter crews, releasing Paveway
Paveway II
laser-guided "smart" bombs,
laser-guided "smart" bombs, knock down the
knock down the Thanh
Thanh Hoa
Hoa
bridge
bridge in
in North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam. Previously,
Previously, 871
871 conventional
conventional

67
67
 SßaieSliss*''

A B-52 unloads on ground targets in Vietnam.

sorties
sorties resulted
resulted inIn only
only superficial
superficial damage to the
damage to the bridge.
bridge.
This
This raid
raid introduces
introduces precision-guided
precision-guided munitions
munitions into
into
combat
combat for
for the
the first
first time.
time.
May: The last
May: The last B-57
B-57 Intruder
Intruder aircraft
aircraft leaves
leaves Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia
and
and returns
returns to
to the
the United
United States,
States, ending
ending its
its combat
combat career
career..
12
12 May:
May: AA C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft flies
flies 5,000
5,000 pounds
pounds of
of
civilian-donated medical equipment from Stuttgart,
civilian-donated medical equipment from Stuttgart,
Germany,
Germany, to
to a
a new
new hospital
hospital at
at Sile,
Sue, Turkey.
Turkey.
26 May: President
26 May: President Nixon
Nixon and Soviet General
and Soviet General Secretary
Secretary
Leonid
Leonid I.I. Brezhnev
Brezhnev sign
sign aa Strategic
Strategic Arms
Arms Limitation
Limitation (SAL)
(SAL)
agreement.
agreement. This
This limits
limits the
the number of land- and sea-based
number of land- and sea-based
launchers
launchers for both sides
for both sides..
11
11 June
June:: B-52 Stratofortress aircraft
B-52 Stratofortress using laser-guided
aircraft using laser-guided
bombs
bombs destroy
destroy a
a major
major hydroelectric
hydroelectric plant
plant near
near Hanoi,
Hanoi,
North Vietnam.
North Vietnam.
27
27 June:
June: USAF
USAF C-123
C-123 Provider
Provider aircraft
aircraft operations
operations in
in
Southeast
Southeast Asia come to
Asia come to aa halt
halt with
with the
the transfer
transfer of
of the
the
aircraft to the Vietnamese
aircraft to the Vietnamese air
air force
force..
29
29 June
June:: Forward
Forward air
air controller
controller Capt
Capt Steven
Steven L.
L. Bennett
Bennett and
and
his observer spot enemy troops attacking a friendly unit.
his observer spot enemy troops attacking a friendly unit.

r_
68 0
Denied
Denied tactical
tactical air
air and
and artillery
artillery support
support for
for the
the embattled
embattled
unit, Captain Bennett strafes the enemy, forcing a retreat, but
unit, Captain Bennett strafes the enemy, forcing a retreat, but
a surface-to-air missile
a surface-to-air missile hits
hits the
the OV-10
OV-10 Bronco,
Bronco, crippling
crippling itit
and
and shredding
shredding thethe observer's
observer's parachute.
parachute. Captain
Captain Bennett,
Bennett,
knowing that the observer cannot bail out, elects to ditch the
knowing that the observer cannot bail out, elects to ditch the
OV-10
OV-10 in in the
the Gulf
Gulf of Tonkin. He
of Tonkin. He is
is killed
killed in
in the
the crash
crash landing,
landing,
but
but his
his observer
observer survives
survives.. For
For his
his heroic
heroic sacrifice,
sacrifice, Captain
Captain
Bennett posthumously receives the Medal of Honor.
Bennett posthumously receives the Medal of Honor.
11
11 July:
July: USAF
USAF launches
launches a a giant
giant 962-foot-tall
962-foot-tall balloon
balloon system
system
in
in support
support of NASA's Viking
of NASA's Viking Project
Project for
for landing
landing an
an
unmanned
unmanned spacecraft
spacecraft on
on Mars
Mars in
in 1976
1976..
26
26 July-25
July-25 August:
August: In In response
response toto flooding,
flooding, Pacific
Pacific Air
Air
Forces (PACAF) airlifts over four million pounds of food and
Forces (PACAF) airlifts over four million pounds of food and
medical
medical supplies
supplies to
to the
the Philippine
Philippine Islands
Islands..
27
27 July
July:: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of the
the F-15
F-15 Eagle advanced tactical
Eagle advanced tactical
fighter
fighter at
at Air
Air Force
Force Flight
Flight Test
Test Center,
Center, Edwards
Edwards AFB,
AFB, is
is
accomplished ahead of schedule .
accomplished ahead of schedule.
11
11 August:
August: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of the
the F-5E
F-5E international
international fighter
fighter
aircraft is made at Edwards AFB, marking the beginning of
aircraft is made at Edwards AFB, marking the beginning of
contractor
contractor development,
development, test,
test, and
and evaluation.
evaluation.
19-20 August:: The
19-20 August USAF HH-3
The USAF HH-3 Jolly
Jolly Green Giant and
Green Giant and
HH-43
HH-43 Huskie
Huskie helicopters
helicopters save
save aa total
total of
of 763
763 Korean
Korean
civilians
civilians from rising waters
from rising waters when
when heavy
heavy rains
rains cause
cause the
the Han
Han
River,
River, South
South Korea,
Korea, to flood.
to flood.
28 August
28 August:: Capt
Capt Richard
Richard S.S. "Steve"
"Steve" Ritchie,
Ritchie, flying
flying with
with Capt
Capt
Charles
Charles B. B. DeBellevue,
DeBellevue, his his backseater,
backseater, becomes
becomes the the
Vietnam War's first ace by shooting down his fifth MiG--21 .
Vietnam War's first ace by shooting down his fifth MiG-21.
Captain
Captain DeBellevue
DeBellevue shoots
shoots down
down his
his fifth
fifth MiG
MiG twotwo weeks
weeks
later. For their achievements, the two aces will share the
later. For their achievements, the two aces will share the
1972
1972 Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy with
with Capt
Capt Jeffrey
Jeffrey S.S. Feinstein,
Feinstein, the
the
third
third USAF
USAF ace
ace of
of the
the Vietnam
Vietnam War.
War.
11
11 September:
September: Using
Using precision-guided
precision-guided munitions,
munitions, U.S.
U.S.
aircraft destroy the Long
aircraft destroy the Long Bien
Bien bridge
bridge over
over the
the Red
Red River
River in
in
downtown
downtown Hanoi,
Hanoi, North
North Vietnam.
Vietnam.
15 September: The
15 September: The 42d
42d Bombardment
Bombardment Wing,
Wing, Loring
Loring AFB,
AFB,
Maine,
Maine, becomes
becomes the
the first
first B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress wing
wing to
to be
be
operational with the short-range
operational with the short-range attack
attack missile
missile..

69
69
13
13 October:
October: Capt
Capt Jeffrey
Jeffrey S.
S. Feinstein
Feinstein achieves
achieves ace
ace status
status by
by
shooting down his fifth MiG-21 .
shooting down his fifth MiG-21.
23
23 October:
October: Linebacker
Linebacker II B-52
B-52 operations against North
operations against North
Vietnam
Vietnam are
are halted
halted when
when bombing
bombing north
north of
of the
the 20th
20th parallel
parallel
is
is curtailed.
curtailed.
31
31 October:
October: The
The last
last Bomarc
Bomarc surface-to-air
surface-to-air missile
missile squadron,
squadron,
the
the 22d
22d Air
Air Defense
Defense Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, Langley
Langley AFB,
AFB, is
is
inactivated
inactivated..
22
22 November:
November: The
The first
first B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress aircraft
aircraft lost
lost to
to
enemy
enemy action
action is
is hit
hit by
by aa surface-to-air
surface-to-air missile
missile while
while on
on aa
mission over North Vietnam. The aircraft crashes in
mission over North Vietnam. The aircraft crashes in
Thailand,
Thailand, where
where the
the crew
crew ejects
ejects and
and is
is recovered
recovered..
18
18 December:
December: President
President Nixon
Nixon directs
directs the
the resumption
resumption of
of
full-scale
full-scale bombing
bombing and
and mining
mining in in North
North Vietnam,
Vietnam, in
in an
an
operation
operation known
known as
as Linebacker
Linebacker 11.
II.
18-29
18-29 December
December:: Supporting
Supporting Linebacker
Linebacker II,II, KC-135
KC-135
Stratotanker
Stratotanker aircraft
aircraft fly
fly more
more than
than 1,300
1,300 sorties.
sorties.
30
30 December
December:: President
President Nixon
Nixon orders
orders aa halt
halt to
to the
the bombing
bombing
of
of North
North Vietnam
Vietnam north
north of
of the
the 20th
20th parallel
parallel and
and announces
announces
that
that peace
peace talks
talks will
will resume
resume inin Paris
Paris on
on 88 January
January 1973
1973..

l97Q6;
1973
88 January:
January: AnAn F-4D
F-4D Phantom
Phantom shoots
shoots down
down aa MiG
MiG southwest
southwest
of Hanoi with a radar-guided AIM-7 missile. This is
of Hanoi with a radar-guided AIM-7 missile. This is the
the last
last
aerial
aerial victory
victory before
before the
the signing
signing of
of the
the cease-fire
cease-fire that
that goes
goes
into
into effect
effect on
on 29
29 January.
January.
22
22 January:
January: President
President Johnson
Johnson dies
dies.. The
The Spirit
Spirit of
of 76,
76, aa
VC-137, flies his body from Texas to Washington, D .C . for a
VC-137, flies his body from Texas to Washington, D.C. for a
final
final tribute.
tribute.
27
27 January:
January: In Paris, North
In Paris, North Vietnam
Vietnam and
and the
the United
United States
States
sign
sign an
an "Agreement
"Agreement onon Ending
Ending the
the War
War and
and Restoring
Restoring Peace
Peace
to
to Vietnam."
Vietnam."
28 January: A
28 January: A B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress bombs
bombs targets
targets in
in South
South
Vietnam
Vietnam at
at 0628 hours local
0628 hours local time
time.. This
This sortie
sortie ends
ends Arc
Arc Light
Light
operations, which have been continuous
operations, which have been continuous since
since 1965
1965..

70
70
12
12 February
February:: MAC
MAC pilots
pilots initiate
initiate Operation
Operation Homecoming,
Homecoming,
flying the first of 590 released American prisoners of
flying the first of 590 released American prisoners of war
war
from
from Hanoi,
Hanoi, North
North Vietnam,
Vietnam, to to Clark AB.. The
Clark AB The Mackay
Mackay
Trophy
Trophy is
is awarded
awarded toto the
the aircrews
aircrews of
of MAC.
MAC.
21
21 February
February:: The
The 30-year
30-year civil
civil war
war in
in Laos
Laos officially
officially ends,
ends,
and a cease-fire
and a cease-fire prevails.
prevails. The
The United
United States
States halts air strikes.
halts air strikes.
21
21 March
March:: Two
Two Libyan
Libyan Mirage
Mirage aircraft
aircraft intercept
intercept and
and fire
fire
upon an unarmed Rhein-Main-based (Germany) C-130
upon an unarmed Rhein-Main-based (Germany) C-13Ö
Hercules
Hercules aircraft, reportedly on
aircraft, reportedly on aa reconnaissance
reconnaissance mission
mission
over the Mediterranean. The C-130 successfully evades its
over the Mediterranean. The C-130 successfully evades its
attackers
attackers and lands safely
and lands safely at
at Athenai
Athenai Airport,
Airport, Greece.
Greece.
28
28 March
March:: The
The final
final flight
flight of
of PACAF
PACAF aircraft
aircraft departs
departs South
South
Vietnam
Vietnam for
for redeployment
redeployment on on 28
28 March
March 1973
1973..
13 April
13 April:: USAFE
USAFE accepts
accepts responsibility
responsibility for manning and
for manning and
operating
operating a a program
program toto train
train the
the Iranian
Iranian air
air force
force in
in F-4
F-4
Phantom aircraft operations.
Phantom aircraft operations.
16
16 April: U.S. aircraft
April: U.S. aircraft resume
resume bombing North Vietnamese
bombing North Vietnamese
positions
positions in
in Laos
Laos following
following reports
reports that
that the
the Communists
Communists
had overrun a town in the Plaine des Jarres.
had overrun a town in the Plaine des Jarres.
18
18 May:
May: Lockheed
Lockheed of Georgia delivers
of Georgia delivers the
the 81st
81st and
and last
last
production model of the C-5A Galaxy aircraft to USAF.
production model of the C-5A Galaxy aircraft to USAF.
15
15 July:
July: An
An A-7D
A-7D Corsair
Corsair ofof the
the 354th
354th Tactical
Tactical Reconnais-
Reconnais-
sance
sance Wing
Wing flies
flies the
the last
last combat
combat mission
mission of
of the
the Southeast
Southeast
Asian
Asian War.
War. All
All told,
told, USAF
USAF flew
flew 5.25
5.25 million
million sorties
sorties over
over
South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern
South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern
Laos,
Laos, and
and Cambodia,
Cambodia, losing
losing 2,251
2,251 aircraft 1,737 to
aircraft—1,737 to hostile
hostile
action and 514 for other operational reasons.
action and 514 for other operational reasons.
66 September:
September: The
The 561st
561st Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron (F-105
(F-105
Thunderchief aircraft) leaves Korat Royal Thai AB, Thailand,
Thunderchief aircraft) leaves Korat Royal Thai AB, Thailand,
bound
bound for
for George
George AFB,
AFB, California
California..
30
30 September:
September: Air
Air Training
Training Command inactivates Laredo
Command inactivates Laredo
AFB, Texas, and
AFB, Texas, and places
places it
it in
in caretaker
caretaker status
status..
October:: The
October Air Weather
The Air Weather Service
Service declares
declares operational
operational at
at
Elmendorf AFB a ground-based liquid-propane system for
Elmendorf AFB a ground-based liquid-propane system for
dissipating
dissipating cold
cold fog.
fog. Using
Using this
this system
system will
will allow more air
allow more air
traffic
traffic during
during inclement
inclement weather.
weather.

7711
13
13 October-13
October-13 November
November:: During
During thethe Yom
Yom Kippur
Kippur War,
War,
American
American airlifters
airlifters supporting
supporting Operation
Operation Nickel
Nickel Grass
Grass
fly
fly 567
567 sorties
sorties from
from the
the United
United States,
States, delivering
delivering 22,318
22,318
tons
tons of
of war
war materiel
materiel to
to Israel
Israel.. Regular
Regular and
and Reserve
Reserve units
units
participated
participated..
20
20 October:
October: AsAs a
a consequence
consequence of of the
the Arab-Israeli
Arab-Israeli conflict,
conflict,
the Arab nations declare an oil embargo that disrupts flying
the Arab nations declare an oil embargo that disrupts flying
training
training..
28
28 October:
October: The
The first
first production
production model
model of
of the
the T-43
T-43 aircraft
aircraft
arrives
arrives at
at Mather
Mather AFB,
AFB, California
California..
19
19 December:
December: USAF
USAF approves
approves procurement
procurement of of 52
52 A-10
A-10
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt production
production aircraft,
aircraft, associated
associated engines,
engines, and
and
the
the GAU-8A
GAU-8A 30 30 mm
mm gungun system.
system. This
This follows
follows aa successful
successful
flight
flight evaluation
evaluation fly-off
fly-off of
of the
the A-10
A-10 with
with the
the A-7D
A-7D Corsair.
Corsair.

19<4
1874
16-19
16-19 January:
January: The
The 48th
48th Air
Air Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery Squadron
Squadron
evacuates
evacuates 93
93 persons
persons from
from flooded
flooded areas
areas near
near Pinehurst,
Pinehurst,
Idaho.
Idaho.
10
10 April
April:: USAFE
USAFE C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft,
aircraft, crews,
crews, and
and
communications
communications personnel
personnel support
support Operation
Operation Nimbus
Nimbus Star,
Star,
the
the mine-sweeping
mine-sweeping operation
operation required
required to
to clear
clear the
the Suez
Suez
Canal
Canal of obstacles prior
of obstacles prior to
to navigation.
navigation.
May:
May: The
The 354th
354th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing completes
completes its
its
redeployment
redeployment from
from Korat,
Korat, Thailand,
Thailand, to
to Myrtle
Myrtle Beach,
Beach, South
South
Carolina
Carolina..
55 July:
July: The
The 555th
555th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron moves
moves without
without
personnel or equipment from Udorn Royal Thai AB to
personnel or equipment from Udorn Royal Thai AB to Luke
Luke
AFB
AFB toto become
become the
the first
first F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle squadron
squadron in
in the
the USAF.
USAF.
29
29 July
July:: Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense James
James R. R. Schlesinger
Schlesinger directs
directs
the
the U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force toto consolidate
consolidate all
all military
military airlift
airlift aircraft
aircraft
under
under a a single
single manager.
manager. USAF
USAF will
will be
be the
the single
single manager
manager
for
for all
all armed
armed services.
services.
44 August:
August: The
The 8th
8th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing completes
completes its
its
redeployment from Ubon, Thailand .
redeployment from Ubon, Thailand.

72
72
I
*». .. ypBgfe $fct* *

The F-15 Eagle, a heavily armed air superiority fighter with a top speed of
more than 900 mph, became operational in January 1976.

30
30 August:
August: A A C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy completes
completes itsits first
first long-range
long-range
air-refueled
air-refueled mission
mission over
over water.
water. Flying
Flying from
from Dover
Dover AFB,
AFB,
Delaware,
Delaware, to to Clark
Clark AB,
AB, the
the aircraft
aircraft covers
covers 10,600
10,600 statute
statute
miles
miles (via
(via mid-Pacific
mid-Pacific routing)
routing) in
in 21
21 hours,
hours, 3030 minutes.
minutes.
30-31
30-31 August:
August: Detachment
Detachment 13,
13, 41st
41st Air
Air Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery
Wing,
Wing, saves 36 Koreans
saves 36 Koreans from
from flood waters surrounding
flood waters surrounding
Kwangju,
Kwangju, South
South Korea.
Korea.
11 September:
September: Maj
Maj James
James V.
V. Sullivan
Sullivan and
and Maj
Maj Noel
Noel Widdifield
Widdifield
set a New York to London speed record of 1,806 .964 mph
set a New York to London speed record of 1,806.964 mph in
in
a
a Lockheed
Lockheed SR-71A
SR-71A Blackbird
Blackbird aircraft
aircraft..
33 September: SAC removes
September: SAC removes from
from alert
alert its
its last Minuteman II
last Minuteman
ICBM
ICBM atat the
the 90th
90th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, Warren
Warren AFB,AFB,
during
during the
the wing's
wing's conversion
conversion toto Minuteman
Minuteman III III missiles
missiles..
12 September : The
12 September: The United
United States
States returns the Takhli
returns the AB to
Takhli AB to
the Royal Thai government.
the Royal Thai government.
24
24 October:
October: The
The Space
Space and
and Missile
Missile Systems
Systems Organization
Organization
successfully launches a Minuteman I ICBM from a
successfully launches a Minuteman I ICBM from a C-5A
C-5A
Galaxy
Galaxy cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft..
24
24 November:
November: President
President Ford
Ford and
and Soviet
Soviet General
General Secretary
Secretary
Leonid
Leonid II.. Brezhnev
Brezhnev sign
sign the
the Vladivostok
Vladivostok SAL
SAL Accord.
Accord. SAL
SAL

73
73
limits
limits deployment
deployment of
of both
both strategic
strategic delivery
delivery vehicles
vehicles and
and
multiple,
multiple, independently
independently targetable
targetable reentry
reentry vehicles
vehicles..
December
December:: Random
Random operation
operation of
of a
a balloon-borne
balloon-borne radar
radar (Seek
(Seek
Skyhook) begins at Cudjoe Key, Florida. It will keep watch on
Skyhook) begins at Cudjoe Key, Florida. It will keep watch on
the
the Florida
Florida Strait
Strait between
between Cuba
Cuba and
and the
the United
United States
States..
1I December
December:: USAF
USAF directs
directs the
the consolidation
consolidation of
of TAC
TAC airlift
airlift
resources
resources with
with those
those of
of MAC
MAC..
18
18 December
December:: President
President Ford
Ford signs
signs aa law
law allowing
allowing nonflyers
nonflyers
to
to command
command flying
flying units
units..
23
23 December:
December: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of aa B-1
B-l Lancer
Lancer aircraft
aircraft is
is
made
made from
from Palmdale,
Palmdale, California,
California, to
to Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.

1J1
1975
11
II January:
January: USAF
USAF cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft begins
begins airlifting
airlifting military
military
equipment
equipment and
and supplies
supplies into
into Phnom
Phnom Penh,
Penh, Cambodia,
Cambodia,
which
which is
is under
under siege
siege by
by communist
communist forces
forces..
13 January:
13 January: The
The Secretary
Secretary of of the
the Air
Air Force,
Force, Dr.
Dr. John
John L.
L.
McLucas,
McLucas, selects
selects the
the General
General Dynamics
Dynamics YF-16
YF-16 prototype
prototype as
as
USAF's
USAF's air
air combat
combat fighter,
fighter, aa low-cost,
low-cost, light-weight,
light-weight, highly
highly
maneuverable
maneuverable fighter
fighter aircraft.
aircraft.
16
16 January-1
January-1 February
February:: Majs
Majs Roger
Roger J.
J. Smith,
Smith, David
David W.
W.
Peterson,
Peterson, and
and Willard
Willard R.
R. MacFarlane set eight
MacFarlane set eight time-to-climb
time-to-climb
records in the
records in the F-15
F-15 Eagle,
Eagle, to
to earn
earn the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
16
16 February
February:: Brig
Brig Gen
Gen Eugene
Eugene DD.. Scott
Scott becomes
becomes the
the first
first
USAF
USAF navigator
navigator toto command
command aa flying
flying unit
unit by
by assuming
assuming
command
command of of the
the 47th
47th Air
Air Division,
Division, Fairchild
Fairchild AFB,
AFB,
Washington
Washington..
March-June
March-June:: Air
Air Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery Service
Service personnel
personnel
assist
assist in
in the
the recovery
recovery of
of bodies
bodies and
and equipment
equipment from
from the
the
wreckage of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft that crashed in the
wreckage of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft that crashed in the
Olympic
Olympic Mountains,
Mountains, Washington,
Washington, on on 21
21 March
March 1975
1975..
5
5 March:
March: Students
Students fly
fly the
the last
last T-29
T-29 navigator
navigator training
training sortie
sortie
at
at Mather
Mather AFB.
AFB.
25
25 March:
March: The
The United
United States
States organizes
organizes an
an airlift
airlift to
to evacuate
evacuate
about
about 10,000
10,000 people
people,. aa day
day from
from Da
Da Nang,
Nang, South
South Vietnam.
Vietnam.

74
74
Communist
Communist forces
forces surround
surround and
and completely
completely cut
cut off
off this
this
provincial
provincial city.
city.
29
29 March:
March: The
The United
United States
States begins
begins an emergency airlift
an emergency airlift of
of
military
military supplies
supplies and
and equipment
equipment into
into Saigon,
Saigon, South Vietnam..
South Vietnam
31
31 March:
March: Completing
Completing thethe consolidation
consolidation ofof military
military airlift
airlift into
into
one
one command, the tactical
command, the tactical airlift
airlift resources
resources of USAF's overseas
of USAF's overseas
commands
commands (Pacific
(Pacific Air
Air Forces,
Forces, United
United States
States Air
Air Forces
Forces in in
Europe,
Europe, and
and Alaskan
Alaskan Air
Air Command)
Command) transfer
transfer to
to MAC.
MAC.
April:
April: Just
Just prior
prior to
to the
the fall
fall of
of the
the South
South Vietnamese
Vietnamese
government,
government, MAC
MAC evacuates
evacuates 50,493
50,493 refugees
refugees from
from Saigon,
Saigon,
South Vietnam, to safe-haven bases in the Pacific .
South Vietnam, to safe-haven bases in the Pacific.
4
4 April:
April: The
The first
first USAF
USAF aircraft
aircraft evacuating
evacuating Vietnamese
Vietnamese
orphans
orphans from
from Saigon,
Saigon, South
South Vietnam,
Vietnam, crash-lands
crash-lands shortly
shortly
after
after takeoff.
takeoff. The heroic efforts
The heroic efforts of
of the
the flight and medical
flight and medical
crews
crews save
save the
the lives
lives of
of 176
176 of
of the
the 314
314 passengers
passengers onon the
the
crashed
crashed C-5
C-5 Galaxy.
Galaxy.
10
10 April:
April: The
The B-1
B-l Lancer
Lancer aircraft
aircraft attains
attains supersonic
supersonic flight
flight
speed
speed for
for the
the first
first time
time..
12 April:: American
12 April American aircraft
aircraft participate
participate in Eagle Pull,
in Eagle Pull, the
the
evacuation
evacuation ofof United
United States
States personnel
personnel from
from Phnom
Phnom Penh,
Penh,
Cambodia.
Cambodia.
18
18 April
April:: SAC
SAC begins
begins transferring
transferring air
air refueling
refueling wings
wings to
to the
the
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. AFRES and ANG
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. AFRES and ANG
tanker
tanker units
units will
will support
support SAC
SAC alert
alert operations.
operations.
21
21 April
April:: SAC
SAC conducts
conducts its
its first in-flight refueling
first in-flight refueling of the B-1
of the B-l
Lancer
Lancer bomber.
bomber.
29 April—16 September:
29 April-16 September: During
During Operation
Operation New
New Arrival,
Arrival, 251
251
C-141 Starlifter
C-141 Starlifter and
and 349
349 commercial
commercial aircraft
aircraft missions
missions bring
bring
121,562
121,562 Indochinese
Indochinese refugees to the
refugees to United States
the United States from
from
Pacific
Pacific staging
staging areas.
areas.
29-30
29-30 April:
April: During
During Operation Frequent Wind,
Operation Frequent Wind, the
the final
final
evacuation
evacuation ofof Saigon,
Saigon, South
South Vietnam,
Vietnam, USAF,
USAF, U.S
U.S.. Marine
Marine
Corps,
Corps, and
and U.S.
U.S. Navy aircraft extract
Navy aircraft extract over
over 7,000
7,000 people
people asas
communist
communist forces
forces overrun
overrun the
the city.
city.
12
12 May:
May: Cambodian
Cambodian gunboats
gunboats seize
seize the
the U.S.
U.S. merchant
merchant ship
ship
Mayaguez the Wai
near the
Mayaguez near Wai Islands,
Islands, 6060 miles
miles from
from the
the

75
75
Cambodian
Cambodian coast.
coast. In
In response,
response, MAC
MAC airlifts
airlifts Marines
Marines and
and
equipment
equipment from
from the
the Philippines
Philippines and
and Okinawa
Okinawa to to Thailand
Thailand..
14
14 May:
May: Cambodia
Cambodia returns
returns the
the Mayaguez
Mayaguez crewcrew after
after U .S.
U.S.
forces
forces capture
capture thethe ship
ship and
and assault
assault Koh
Koh Tang
Tang Island
Island where
where
the
the crew
crew isis thought
thought to
to have
have been
been taken.
taken. Maj
Maj Robert
Robert W.
W. Undorf
Undorf
is
is awarded
awarded the the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for conspicuous
conspicuous gallantry,
gallantry,
initiative,
initiative, and
and resourcefulness
resourcefulness during
during this
this military operation..
military operation
6
6 June
June:: The
The last
last 16
16 B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress aircraft
aircraft remaining
remaining
at U-Tapao, Thailand, begin their redeployment to
at U-Tapao, Thailand, begin their redeployment to the
the
United
United States.
States.
15
15 June:
June: The
The last
last F-111
F-l 11 unit
unit in
in Thailand
Thailand begins
begins to
to redeploy
redeploy
to
to the
the United
United States
States..
17
17 June
June:: Detachment
Detachment 5,5, 37th
37th Air
Air Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery
Squadron, saves 131 flood victims during a flood in
Squadron, saves 131 flood victims during a flood in aa
13-county
13-county area
area of
of Montana.
Montana.
11 July
July:: The
The first ANG air
first ANG air refueling
refueling squadron
squadron begins
begins
supporting
supporting SAC
SAC operations
operations.. ANG
ANG and
and AFRES units will
AFRES units will
receive KC-135s over a four-year period.
receive KC-135s over a four-year period.
77 August
August:: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft fly
fly from
from Ramstein
Ramstein
AB,
AB, Germany,
Germany, toto Bucharest,
Bucharest, Romania,
Romania, with
with disaster
disaster relief
relief
supplies
supplies requested
requested by by the
the Romanian government after
Romanian government after
extensive
extensive flooding
flooding of
of the
the Danube
Danube River
River tributaries.
tributaries.
11 September:
September: Gen
Gen Daniel
Daniel "Chappie"
"Chappie" James Jr.. becomes
James Jr becomes the
the
first
first black
black officer to achieve
officer to achieve four-star
four-star rank
rank in the United
in the United
States military.
States military.
29 October: The
29 October: The first
first F-5E
F-5E Tiger
Tiger IIII aircraft is delivered
aircraft is delivered to
to
Nellis
Nellis AFB
AFB and
and takes
takes its
its place
place in
in the
the USAF
USAF inventory.
inventory.
29 November:: The
29 November The first Red Flag
first Red exercise begins
Flag exercise begins atat Nellis
Nellis
AFB ushering in
AFB ushering in a
a new
new eraera ofof highly
highly realistic
realistic air
air combat
combat
training for USAF pilots .
training for USAF pilots. ' " '

1976
1976
99 January:
January: The
The USAF's
USAF's first
first operational
operational F-15
F-l5 Eagle, the new
Eagle, the new
air
air superiority
superiority fighter
fighter aircraft,
aircraft, arrives at 1st
arrives at 1st Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter
Wing,
Wing, Langley
Langley AFB.
AFB.

776
6
Daniel "Chappie" James poses in front of his F-4 during a break in the
action in Vietnam. James became the first black officer in the United States
military to attain four-star rank.

77
19
19 January:
January: The
The 180th
180th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Group
Group becomes
becomes the
the
first
first ANG
ANG unit
unit toto participate
participate in
in the
the Red
Red Flag
Flag training
training
program at Nellis AFB .
program at Nellis AFB.
31
31 January:
January: Udorn'
Udorn Royal
Royal Thai
Thai AB
AB formally
formally reverts
reverts to
to Thai
Thai
control,
control, the
the USAF
USAF having
having operated
operated the
the base
base since
since October
October
1964.
1964.
5
5 February-3
February-3 March
March:: Providing
Providing earthquake
earthquake relief,
relief, MAC
MAC
airlifts workers, emergency equipment, and supplies to
airlifts workers, emergency equipment, and supplies to
Guatemala:
Guatemala.
29
29 February
February:: Korat
Korat Royal
Royal Thai
Thai AB
AB lowers
lowers its
its American
American flag
flag
for the last time, marking termination of USAF operations at
for the last time, marking termination of USAF operations at
that
that base.
base.
11 March
March:: Taipei
Taipei Air
Air Station
Station (AS),
(AS), Taiwan,
Taiwan, officially
officially closes,
closes,
ending
ending 20 years of
20 years of U.S
U.S.. operation.
operation.
21--31
21—31 . March:
March: When
When a a typhoon
typhoon strikes
strikes Guam,
Guam, C-5C-5 Galaxy,
Galaxy,
C-141
C-141 `Starlifter,
Starlifter, and
and C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft fly
fly engineering
engineering
teams, generators,
teams, generators, utility
utility vehicles,
vehicles, and
and communications
communications
equipment
equipment toto the
the island
island..
22'
22 March
March:: The
The first
first A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is is delivered
delivered to
to
Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB
AFB for
for operational
operational test
test and
and evaluation.
evaluation.
22
22 March
March:: A
A U-2
U-2 departing U-Tapao Airfield,
departing U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand,
Thailand,
becomes
becomes the
the last SAC aircraft'to
last SAC aircraft to leave
leave Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia..
11 April
April:: USAFE
USAFE activates
activates the
the 527th
527th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter
Aggressor Squadron at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, to
Aggressor Squadron at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, to
conduct
conduct dissimilar
dissimilar air
air combat
combat tactics
tactics training
training for
for fighter
fighter
and reconnaissance aircrews.
and reconnaissance aircrews.
2
2 April
April:: The
The last
last C-1
C-l 18A
18A Liftmaster
Liftmaster in
in the
the active
active inventory
inventory
is
is delivered
delivered to
to the
the Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB
AFB storage
storage facility
facility..
29
29 April-15
April-15 May:
May: USAFE
USAFE crews
crews take
take part
part in
in the
the first
first Allied
Allied
Air
Air Forces
Forces Central
Central Europe
Europe Tactical
Tactical Weapons
Weapons meetmeet atat
Twenthe
Twenthe AB,
AB, the
the Netherlands.
Netherlands.
6
6 May-5 June: In
May-5 June: In response
response to
to aa devastating
devastating earthquake
earthquake in
in
the
the Furili
Furili region of northeastern
region of northeastern Italy,
Italy, USAF
USAF personnel
personnel at
at
Aviano AB provide medical assistance and working parties
Aviano AB provide medical assistance and working parties
to
to clear
clear rubble
rubble and
and pitch
pitch tents
tents for
for the
the homeless.
homeless.

78
78
13
13 May-1
May-1 June
June:: In
In the
the wake
wake of
of Typhoons
Typhoons Olga
Olga and
and Pamela,
Pamela,
Air
Air Rescue
Rescue andand Recovery
Recovery Service
Service helicopters
helicopters save
save 734
734
Philippine flood victims.
Philippine flood victims.
7-24
7-24 June
June:: The
The first
first Team
Team Spirit
Spirit exercise,
exercise, aa joint/combined
joint/combined
field
field training
training exercise, takes place
exercise, takes place in Korea. The
in Korea. The primary
primary
purpose
purpose of of the
the exercise,
exercise, which
which in
in future
future years
years will
will expand
expand to
to
become the largest field training exercise in the free world,
become the largest field training exercise in the free world,
is
is to
to exercise,
exercise, test,
test, and
and evaluate
evaluate the
the Korean
Korean tactical
tactical air
air
control system.
control system.
27
27 June
June:: The
The first
first successful
successful test
test flight
flight of
of aa Titan
Titan II
II ICBM
ICBM
equipped with a universal space guidance system takes
equipped with a universal space guidance system takes
place
place at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.
28
28 June
June:: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force Academy
Academy becomes
becomes the
the first
first of
of
the
the big
big three
three service
service academies
academies to
to admit
admit women
women cadets
cadets
when
when it
it admits Joan Olsen.
admits Joan Olsen.
15
15 July:
July: Consolidated
Consolidated interservice
interservice navigation
navigation training
training
begins
begins for
for Navy
Navy and
and Marine
Marine personnel
personnel at
at Mather
Mather AFB.
AFB.
27
27 July
July:: Majs
Majs Adolphus
Adolphus H. H. Bledsoe
Bledsoe Jr.,
Jr., pilot,
pilot, and
and John
John T.T.
Fuller,
Fuller, reconnaissance
reconnaissance systems
systems officer,
officer, fly
fly an
an SR-71
SR-71 Blackbird
Blackbird
at
at aa speed
speed of of 2,092.29
2,092.29 mphmph over
over a a 1,000-kilometer
1,000-kilometer (621 .4
(621.4
mile)
mile) course
course inin the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB. In In this
this flight,
flight, they
they
set
set three
three closed-circuit
closed-circuit records:
records: (1)
(1) world
world absolute
absolute speed;
speed; (2)
(2)
world jet speed with 1,000-kilogram (2,200 pounds) payload;
world jet speed with 1,000-kilogram (2,200 pounds) payload;
and
and (3)
(3) world
world jet
jet speed
speed without
without payload.
payload.
28
28 July
July:: Capt
Capt Eldon
Eldon W.
W. Joersz,
Joersz, pilot,
pilot, and
and Maj
Maj George
George T.
T.
Morgan,
Morgan, reconnaissance
reconnaissance systems
systems officer,
officer, flying
flying their
their SR 71
SR-71
Blackbird
Blackbird at at aa speed
speed of
of 2,193.64
2,193.64 mph,
mph, setset two
two records:
records:
world
world absolute
absolute andand jet
jet speed
speed over
over aa 15/25-kilometer
15/25-kilometer
straight
straight course.
course.
28
28 July
July:: Capt
Capt Robert
Robert C.
C. Helt,
Helt, pilot,
pilot, and
and Maj
Maj Lang
Lang A.
A. Elliot,
Elliot,
reconnaissance systems officer, fly their SR-71 Blackbird to
reconnaissance systems officer, fly their SR-71 Blackbird to
aa height
height of of 85,069
85,069 feet
feet over
over the
the test
test range
range at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB
AFB
and establish both
and establish both world
world absolute
absolute and
and jet
jet records
records for
for
altitude
altitude inin horizontal
horizontal flight.
flight.
1-2
1-2 August:
August: Two
Two USAF
USAF UH-1
UH-1 Iroquois
Iroquois helicopter
helicopter crews
crews save
save
81 persons
81 persons stranded by aa flash
stranded by flash flood
flood in
in Colorado's
Colorado's Big
Big
Thompson
Thompson Canyon.
Canyon.

79
79
20
20 August:
August: Following
Following a a tree-cutting
tree-cutting incident
incident in
in which
which North
North
Koreans kill two American Army officers, C-5 Galaxy and
Koreans kill two American Army officers, C-5 Galaxy and
C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft airlift
airlift air
air and
and ground
ground crewmen
crewmen into
into
Kunsan
Kunsan AB,
AB, Taegu
Taegu AB,
AB, and
and Osan
Osan AB,AB, South
South Korea.
Korea.
66 September:
September: A A Soviet
Soviet pilot
pilot lands
lands his
his MiG-25
MiG-25 Foxbat
Foxbat jet
jet
fighter
fighter in
in Hokkaido,
Hokkaido, Japan,
Japan, and
and asks
asks for
for asylum
asylum in in the
the
United
United States
States.. Japanese
Japanese and
and United
United States
States officials
officials closely
closely
examine
examine the
the aircraft
aircraft and
and then
then return
return it,
it, dismantled,
dismantled, to to the
the
Soviet
Soviet Union
Union on
on 15
15 November.
November.
16
16 September:
September: The
The United
United States
States officially
officially returns
returns Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Atoll,
Atoll, site
site of
of the
the first
first U.S
U.S.. hydrogen
hydrogen bomb
bomb explosion,
explosion, to
to its
its
former
former inhabitants.
inhabitants.
29
29 September:
September: TheThe first
first of
of two
two groups
groups of of ten
ten women-pilot
women-pilot
candidates enter undergraduate pilot training at
candidates enter undergraduate pilot training at Williams
Williams
AFB,
AFB, Arizona,
Arizona, the
the first
first time
time since
since World
World War
War IIII that
that women
women
could
could train
train to
to become
become pilots
pilots of
of military
military aircraft
aircraft..
29
29 November:
November: Responding
Responding to
to an
an earthquake
earthquake disaster,
disaster, MAC
MAC
airlifts
airlifts supplies
supplies and
and support
support equipment
equipment to
to various
various locations
locations
in
in Turkey.
Turkey.
88 December:
December : The
The maiden
maiden flight
flight of
of the
the full-scale
full-scale development
development
version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon is accomplished at
version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon is accomplished at Fort
Fort
Worth,
Worth, Texas.
Texas.

80
80
 19
1977
88 January
January:: TheThe first
first YC-141B
YC-141B (stretched
(stretched C-141A
C-141A Starlifter)
Starlifter)
rolls
rolls out
out ofof the
the Lockheed-Georgia
Lockheed-Georgia Marietta
Marietta plant.
plant. It
It is
is 23.3
23.3
feet longer than the original C-141A and capable of in-flight
feet longer than the original C-141A and capable of in-flight
refueling
refueling..
11
11 February
February:: After
After aa heavy
heavy snowfall
snowfall cripples
cripples Buffalo,
Buffalo, New
New
York,
York, MAC
MAC airlifts
airlifts approximately
approximately 995
995 tons
tons of
of snow
snow removal
removal
equipment and
equipment and 495
495 passengers
passengers into
into Niagara
Niagara Falls,
Falls, New
New
York,
York, for
for snow
snow cleanup
cleanup operations.
operations.
18
18 February
February:: The
The space
space shuttle
shuttle makes
makes its
its first
first captive
captive flight
flight
atop
atop the
the carrier
carrier aircraft,
aircraft, a
a modified
modified Boeing
Boeing 747.
747.
11 March:
March: The
The first
first three
three F-111 Fs arrive
F-lllFs arrive in
in Europe
Europe and
and are
are
assigned
assigned toto the
the 48th
48th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing at
at RAF
RAF
Lakenheath,
Lakenheath, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom.
10
10 March:
March: The
The first
first woman
woman navigator
navigator candidates
candidates report
report to
to
Mather
Mather AFB
AFB to
to begin
begin undergraduate
undergraduate navigator
navigator training.
training.
23
23 March
March:: TAC's
TAC's first
first E-3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry aircraft
aircraft arrives
arrives atat Tinker
Tinker
AFB,
AFB, Oklahoma
Oklahoma.. The
The Sentry
Sentry is
is an
an AWACS
AWACS aircraft
aircraft..
26 March-11 April:
26 March-11 April: During
During Exercise
Exercise Team
Team Spirit
Spirit '77,
'77, 548
548
aircraft from U.S . Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps,
aircraft from U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps,
and
and Republic
Republic of
of Korea
Korea air
air force
force fly
fly approximately
approximately 6,400
6,400
sorties
sorties..
30
30 March:
March: Following
Following the
the collision
collision of
of a
a KLM
KLM 747
747 and
and aa Pan
Pan
Am
Am 747
747 atat Tenerife,
Tenerife, Canary
Canary Islands,
Islands, MAC
MAC C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules
and
and C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft transport
transport more
more than
than 50
50 crash
crash
victims
victims to
to McGuire
McGuire AFB,
AFB, New
New Jersey;
Jersey; Kelly
Kelly AFB;
AFB; Travis
Travis AFB;
AFB;
and El Toro Naval AS, California .
and El Toro Naval AS, California.
22 May:
May: 1st
1st Lt
Lt Christine
Christine E E.. Schott
Schott becomes
becomes thethe first
first woman
woman
undergraduate
undergraduate pilot
pilot training
training student
student to
to solo
solo in
in the
the T-38
T-38 talon.
talon.
19
19 May:
May: Capt
Capt James
James A.
A. Yule
Yule isis awarded
awarded the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for
gallantry
gallantry and
and unusual
unusual presence
presence of of mind
mind while
while participating
participating in
in a
a
flight
flight as
as an
an instructor
instructor pilot
pilot of
of aa B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress aircraft.
aircraft.
19
19 June
June:: A
A MAC
MAC C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy flies
flies nonstop
nonstop from
from Chicago-
Chicago-
O'Hare
O'Hare Airport
Airport to
to Sheremetyevo
Sheremetyevo Airport
Airport in
in Moscow
Moscow carrying
carrying
a
a 40-ton
40-ton superconducting
superconducting magnet,
magnet, the
the first
first time
time aa C-5
C-5 has
has

82
82
landed
landed in
in the
the Soviet
Soviet Union.
Union. The 5,124-nautical-mile flight
The 5,124-nautical-mile flight
requires
requires two aerial refuelings
two aerial refuelings..
30 June: President
30 June: James E.
President James E. Carter
Carter announces
announces the
the cancella-
cancella-
tion
tion of
of the
the B-1
B-l Lancer
Lancer bomber
bomber production
production..
August: Cadet
33 August: Cadet First
First Class
Class Edward
Edward A. A. Rice
Rice Jr.
Jr. of
of Yellow
Yellow
Springs,
Springs, Ohio,
Ohio, becomes the first
becomes the first African-American
African-American com-
com-
mander of the Cadet Wing at the United States Air Force
mander of the Cadet Wing at the United States Air Force
Academy.
Academy.
44 August:
August: The
The last
last T-33
T-33 Shooting
Shooting Star
Star leaves the Air
leaves the Air
Force
Force Flight
Flight Test Center for
Test Center for retirement
retirement at
at Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan
AFB.
AFB.
15 August:: An
15 August An Air
Air Force
Force Reserve
Reserve Wing
Wing deploys
deploys two
two C-130B
C-130B
Hercules aircraft to California where they make 38
Hercules aircraft to California where they make 38 fire-
fire-
retardant drops
retardant drops on
on four
four major
major forest
forest fires.
fires.
22 September:
September: The first class
The first class of
of women
women pilots
pilots graduates
graduates at
at
Williams
Williams AFB.
AFB.
33 September:
September: The
The last
last of
of USAF
USAF stocks of Agent
stocks of Agent Orange
Orange from
from
the Vietnam War are incinerated at sea, west of Johnston
the Vietnam War are incinerated at sea, west of Johnston
Island
Island..
30
30 September:
September: The
The first
first C-141 Starlifter transatlantic
C-141 Starlifter transatlantic mission
mission
without
without aa navigator
navigator aboard
aboard isis flown
flown from
from Charleston
Charleston AFB,
AFB,
South Carolina, to Rota Naval
South Carolina, to Rota Naval Station,
Station, Spain.
Spain. The
The mission
mission
uses
uses the
the Delco
Delco inertial
inertial navigation
navigation system.
system.
12 October:: The
12 October The first
first class
class of
of five
five USAF
USAF women
women navigators
navigators
graduates,
graduates, with
with three
three of
of the
the five
five assigned to MAC
assigned to MAC aircrews
aircrews..
30 November:: Control
30 November Control of
of Tachikawa
Tachikawa AB
AB is
is returned
returned to
to the
the
government
government of
of Japan.
Japan.
66 December
December:: As
As part
part of
of USAFE's survivability program,
USAFE's survivability program, the
the
first contingency launch
first contingency launch and
and recovery
recovery airfield
airfield is
is completed
completed at
at
Hahn
Hahn AB.
AB.

14)71;
1978
January:
January: AA MAC C-141 Starlifter
MAC C-141 Starlifter aircraft
aircraft carries
carries U .S .
U.S.
Department of Energy people and equipment to
Department of Energy people and equipment to Edmonton,
Edmonton,
Alberta,
Alberta, Canada,
Canada, to
to aid
aid in the search
in the search for
for radioactive
radioactive remains
remains

83
83
 i^f?-™5*-:'»SÄ;

vmäMSiiä ^3Sr*m ri&Sfe

A Minuteman III missile begins its flight downrange after launch from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

of
of a
a Soviet
Soviet satellite
satellite that
that reentered
reentered the
the earth's
earth's atmosphere
atmosphere
and
and disintegrated
disintegrated over
over the
the Canadian
Canadian wilderness
wilderness..
24
24 January:
January: TAC
TAC deploys
deploys eight
eight F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle aircraft
aircraft from
from
Langley
Langley AFB
AFB to
to Osan
Osan AB.AB. This
This is
is the
the first
first operational
operational
training
training deployment
deployment of
of the
the F-15s
F-15s to
to the
the Western
Western Pacific.
Pacific.
22
22 February
February:: The
The first
first test
test NAVSTAR
NAVSTAR global
global positioning
positioning
satellite successfully launches into orbit.
satellite successfully launches into orbit.
25-26
25-26 February
February::A
A MAC
MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter transports
transports 12
12 burn
burn
specialists
specialists from
from Newark,
Newark, New
New Jersey,
Jersey, to to the
the Waverly,
Waverly,

84
84
Tennessee, area following
Tennessee, area following the
the explosion
explosion of
of a
a railway
railway tank
tank
car filled with propane.
car filled with propane.
19
19 March: For the
March: For first time,
the first time, USAFE
USAFE F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle and
and U.S
U.S..
Navy Tomcat aircraft
Navy Tomcat aircraft begin
begin joint
joint dissimilar
dissimilar air
air combat
combat
tactics training
tactics training..
23 March: Capt
23 March: Sandra M.
Capt Sandra M. Scott,
Scott, a
a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot,
KC-135 Stratotanker pilot,
becomes the
becomes the first woman tanker
first woman tanker commander
commander to
to perform alert
perform alert
d»tv
duty for
for SAC:_
SAC.

Capt Sandra M. "Sandy" Scott, the first woman tanker pilot to perform alert
duty for Strategic Air Command.

85
The Titan II crew consisted of four missilemen: two officers and two
enlisted people who controlled the launch and routine operations. Women
first served on Titan crews in 1978.

May-June: After
May-June: After Katangan
Katangan rebels
rebels invade
invade Zaire's
Zaire's Shaba
Shaba
province
province from
from Angola,
Angola, one
one C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy and 42 C-141 Starlifters
and 42 C-141 Starlifters
airlift 931 tons
airlift 931 tons of cargo and
of cargo and fuel
fuel and
and 124
124 passengers
passengers to
to Zaire
Zaire to
to
support
support Belgian
Belgian and
and French
French operations
operations there.
there.
20-23
20-23 May:
May: LtLt Col
Col Robert
Robert F.
F. Schultz
Schultz and
and crew
crew and Capt
and Capt
Todd
Todd H.H. Hohberger
Hohberger andand crew
crew overcome
overcome thethe hazards
hazards of
of
fatigue,
fatigue, limited
limited en route support,
en route support, crippling
crippling mechanical
mechanical
problems, and
problems, and adverse
adverse operational
operational conditions
conditions in
in a
a hostile
hostile
area during delivery of supplies to Zaire. The C-5 crews will
area during delivery of supplies to Zaire. The C-5 crews will
receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for their
their achievement.
achievement.
12
12 July:
July: After 25 years
After 25 years of
of service
service to
to the
the nation,
nation, the
the last
last
Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter
Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter is
is retired
retired to
to the
the Military
Military
Aircraft Storage and
Aircraft Storage and Disposition
Disposition Center
Center..
14-16 August: As
14-16 August: As part
part of
of the
the flood
flood relief
relief operations,
operations, aa C-141
C-141
Starlifter delivers
Starlifter 26 tons of supplies to Khartoum, Sudan .
delivers 26 tons of supplies to Khartoum, Sudan.

86
86
17
17 August:
August: USAF
USAF accepts
accepts the
the first production model
first production model F-16
F-16
Fighting Falcon in
Fighting Falcon in aa ceremony
ceremony at at the
the General
General Dynamics
Dynamics
plant
plant at
at Fort
Fort Worth,
Worth, Texas
Texas..
18 August:
,18 August: AFCAFC Tina
Tina M.
M. Ponzer,
Ponzer, assigned
assigned to
to the
the 381st
381st
Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, McConnell
McConnell AFB,
AFB, Kansas,
Kansas, becomes
becomes
the first enlisted woman to perform maintenance on
the first enlisted woman to perform maintenance on the
the
Titan
Titan IIII ICBM.
ICBM.
24
24 August:
August: The
The first
first three
three A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt aircraft
aircraft assigned
assigned
to
to USAFE
USAFE arrive
arrive atat RAF
RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge,
Bentwaters/Woodbridge, United
United
Kingdom, for service with the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing.
Kingdom, for service with the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing.
24
24 August:
August: Nitrogen
Nitrogen tetroxide
tetroxide oxidizer
oxidizer leaking
leaking from
from aa Stage
Stage
II booster
booster disables
disables Titan
Titan IIII launch
launch complex
complex 533-7,
533-7, assigned
assigned
to
to the
the 381st
381st Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, McConnell
McConnell AFB.
AFB. The
The
escaped oxidizer kills two people and also severely damages
escaped oxidizer kills two people and also severely damages
the
the ICBM
ICBM that
that is
is housed
housed within
within the
the complex.
complex.
26
26 August:
August: The
The Laotian
Laotian government
government in
in Vientiane
Vientiane returns
returns
the
the remains
remains of of four
four U.S.
U.S. servicemen
servicemen killed
killed in
in the
the Vietnam
Vietnam
War,
War, the
the first
first such
such gesture
gesture by
by Laos.
Laos.
16
16 September:
September: 1st 1st Lt
Lt Patricia
Patricia M.M. Fornes
Fornes with
with the the 381st
381st
SMW
SMW is
is the
the first
first woman
woman officer
officer to
to stand
stand Titan
Titan IIII alert.
alert.
23 October:: Two
23 October Two UH-1N Iroquois helicopters
UH-1N Iroquois helicopters and
and one
one O-2A
0-2A
aircraft
aircraft of
of the
the 24th
24th Composite
Composite Wing
Wing fly
fly flood-assistance
flood-assistance
missions in Costa Rica .
missions in Costa Rica.
22
22 November
November:: A A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter transports
transports six
six medical
medical
specialists and their equipment from Boston,
specialists and their equipment from Boston,
Massachusetts,
Massachusetts, to to Algiers,
Algiers, Algeria,
Algeria, to
to aid the critically
aid the critically ill
ill
president of Algeria.
president of Algeria.
28
28 November:
November: MACMAC C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft transport 911
aircraft transport 911
bodies
bodies from
from the
the mass
mass suicide
suicide at
at Jonestown,
Jonestown, Guyana,
Guyana, to,
to the
the
military
military mortuary
mortuary at
at Dover
Dover AFB.
AFB.
30 November : The
30 November: The last
last Boeing
Boeing Minuteman
Minuteman III ICBM is
III ICBM is
delivered to the USAF at Hill AFB, Utah.
delivered to the USAF at Hill AFB, Utah.
9
9 December:
December: AsAs a
a result
result of
of political
political tensions
tensions and
and disturbances
disturbances
in Iran, MAC, using C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft,
in Iran, MAC, using C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft,
moves
moves approximately
approximately 900900 dependents
dependents fromfrom Teheran
Teheran to to
locations in Europe and
locations in Europe and the
the United States.
United States.

87
87
1970
197»
26
26 January:
January: The
The first
first F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon aircraft
aircraft produced
produced
under
under the
the European
European participating
participating government
government program
program is
is
turned over to the Belgian air force.
turned over to the Belgian air force.
29
29 January:
January: E-3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry aircraft
aircraft assume
assume a
a continental
continental air
air
defense
defense mission
mission responsibility
responsibility..
31
31 March:
March: Maj
Maj James
James E.
E. McArdle
McArdle Jr.
Jr. receives
receives the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy
Trophy for
for professional
professional competence
competence andand aerial
aerial skill
skill in
in
rescuing
rescuing 28
28 Taiwanese
Taiwanese seamen
seamen from
from a
a sinking
sinking cargo
cargo ship.
ship.
31
31 March:
March: MAC
MAC aircraft
aircraft fly
fly the
the first
first of
of 15
15 missions
missions to
to aid
aid in
in
activities
activities following
following the
the 28
28 March
March accident
accident at
at the
the Three-Mile
Three-Mile
Island
Island nuclear
nuclear power
power plant
plant inin Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania..
3-5
3-5 April:
April: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft move
move 2121 tons
tons of
of
relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to Nandi
Nandi International
International Airport,
Airport, Fiji,
Fiji, after
after
Typhoon
Typhoon Meli
Meli batters
batters the
the islands.
islands.
13
13 April
April:: To
To aid
aid undernourished
undernourished and
and starving
starving people,
people, aa
C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter delivers
delivers 20
20 tons
tons of
of vegetable
vegetable seeds
seeds to
to
Kamina, Zaire .
Kamina, Zaire.
19-20
19-20 April:
April: Following
Following aa major
major earthquake
earthquake that
that struck
struck the
the
Adriatic
Adriatic coast
coast ofof southern
southern Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia and
and Albania,
Albania, MAC
MAC
delivers
delivers 139
139 tons
tons of
of supplies
supplies and
and equipment
equipment to
to Titograd
Titograd
International
International Airport,
Airport, Yugoslavia.
Yugoslavia.
2-3
2-3 May:
May: Two
Two E-3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry aircraft
aircraft fly
fly the
the first
first AWACS
AWACS
training mission over the central region in Europe.
training mission over the central region in Europe.
11 June
June:: The
The Community
Community College
College of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force moves
moves from
from
the
the Lackland
Lackland Training
Training Annex,
Annex, Texas,
Texas, to
to Maxwell
Maxwell AFB.
AFB.
11 June
June:: In
In support
support ofof SAC
SAC airair tanker
tanker operations,
operations, USAFE
USAFE
activates
activates RAF
RAF Fairford,
Fairford, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom. The
The base
base becomes
becomes
fully
fully operational
operational with
with the
the arrival
arrival of
of two
two KC-135
KC-135 Stratotanker
Stratotanker
aircraft on 12 September 1979 .
aircraft on 12 September 1979.
55 June
June:: President
President Carter
Carter approves
approves full-scale
full-scale development
development of
of
the
the MX
MX missile.
missile.
8-16
8-16 July:
July: SAC
SAC conducts
conducts its
its first
first Global
Global Shield
Shield '79,
'79, at
at the
the
time
time the
the most
most comprehensive
comprehensive nuclear
nuclear war
war plan
plan exercise
exercise ever
ever
conducted
conducted..

88
88
4 September:: Hurricane
4 September Hurricane David
David precipitates
precipitates aircraft
aircraft evacua-
evacua-
tion
tion from
from several
several TAC
TAC bases.
bases.
26 October:: McDonnell
26 October McDonnell Douglas
Douglas terminates
terminates the
the F/RF-4
F/RF-4
Phantom
Phantom production
production line.
line.
19-21 October: Two
19-21 October: Two C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft equipped
equipped for
for
aeromedical
aeromedical evacuation
evacuation transport
transport 38
38 severely
severely burned
burned U.S
U.S..
marines
marines from
from Yokota
Yokota AB
AB toto Kelly
Kelly AFB
AFB following
following aa fire
fire that
that
swept
swept through
through anan enlisted
enlisted men's
men's barracks at a U.S. Marine
barracks at a U.S. Marine
Corps
Corps base
base at
at Mount
Mount Fuji,
Fuji, Japan.
Japan.
2-21 December: In
2-21 December: In the
the aftermath
aftermath of Typhoon Abby,
of Typhoon Abby, MAC
MAC
transports
transports 250
250 support
support personnel
personnel and
and 650
650 tons
tons ofof food,
food,
water
water purification
purification equipment,
equipment, and
and other
other supplies
supplies toto the
the
Marshall Islands International Airport, Majuro Atoll.
Marshall Islands International Airport, Majuro Atoll.

191;0
1980
2-4 January: The
2-4 January: The Portuguese
Portuguese government
government requests
requests U.S
U.S..
assistance
assistance for
for victims
victims of
of an
an earthquake
earthquake onon Terceira
Terceira Island
Island
in the Azores. Two C-141s of the 437th Military Airlift Wing
in the Azores. Two C-141s of the 437th Military Airlift Wing
provide
provide 700
700 tents
tents and
and 1,000 blankets for
1,000 blankets for the homeless..
the homeless
10-11 January:: After
10-11 January After Cyclone
Cyclone Claudette
Claudette hits
hits the
the Indian
Indian Ocean
Ocean
island
island of
of Mauritius
Mauritius just
just before
before New
New Year's
Year's day
day 1980,
1980, aa C-141
C-141
from the 86th Military Airlift Squadron flew 17 tons of
from the 86th Military Airlift Squadron flew 17 tons of
emergency
emergency supplies
supplies toto the
the island
island.. This
This humanitarian
humanitarian mission
mission
provided
provided relief
relief for
for thousands
thousands of of homeless
homeless and and destitute
destitute
persons.
persons.
31 January:: Construction
31 January Construction workers
workers inadvertently
inadvertently damage
damage the
the
aviation
aviation fuel
fuel pipeline between Clark
pipeline between Clark AB
AB and
and Subic
Subic Bay
Bay in
in the
the
Philippines,
Philippines, causing
causing the
the loss
loss of
of approximately
approximately 50,000
50,000 gallons.
gallons.
25-28 February:: F-15s
25-28 February F-15s out
out of
of Clark
Clark AB
AB intercept
intercept two
two Soviet
Soviet
Bear
Bear DD and
and two
two Soviet
Soviet Bear
Bear FF aircraft
aircraft after
after they
they penetrate
penetrate
the Philippine air defense interceptor zone.
the Philippine air defense interceptor zone.
26 February: PACAF
26 February: PACAF hosts
hosts and
and participates in the
participates in the first
first
multinational
multinational exercise,
exercise, Rimpac
Rimpac '80,
'80, that
that includes
includes Japan.
Japan.
The
The exercise
exercise is
is held in Hawaiian
held in Hawaiian waters.
waters.
12-14 March: Two
12-14 March: Two B-52s
B-52s from
from the
the 644th
644th Bombardment
Bombardment
Squadron
Squadron and
and the
the 410th
410th Bombardment
Bombardment Wing fly nonstop
Wing fly nonstop

89
89
around
around the
the world
world in
in 43 .55 hours,
43.55 averaging 488
hours, averaging 488 mph
mph over
over
21,256 statute miles,
21,256 statute miles, to
to locate
locate the
the Soviet
Soviet navy
navy operating
operating in
in
the Arabian Sea.
the Arabian Sea. For
For this accomplishment, the aircrews are
this accomplishment, the aircrews are
awarded
awarded the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
31 March : USAF
31 March: USAF returns
returns the
the facilities
facilities at
at Naha
Naha AB,
AB, Okinawa,
Okinawa,
to
to Japan.
Japan. Included were 430
Included were 430 sets
sets of
of family
family quarters
quarters and
and 226
226
acres of land.
acres of land.
66 April
April:: The
The stretched
stretched C-141B
C-141B flies
flies its
its first
first operational
operational
mission.
mission. AnAn aircrew
aircrew from
from the
the 443d
443d Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing flies
flies
it nonstop from Beale AFB to RAF Mildenhall in 11 hours,
it nonstop from Beale AFB to RAF Mildenhall in 11 hours,
12 minutes with
12 minutes with only one aerial
only one aerial refueling.
refueling.
77 April:
April : Reacting to the
Reacting to the Iranian
Iranian seizure
seizure of
of the
the U.S.
U.S. Embassy
Embassy inin
Teheran,
Teheran, DODDOD orders all Iranian
orders all Iranian military
military trainees
trainees to
to leave
leave the
the
United
United States
States by
by 1200
1200 hours
hours on 11 April
on 11 April.. Numerous
Numerous Iranians
Iranians
enrolled
enrolled in Air Training
in Air Training Command
Command academic
academic courses are
courses are
expelled.
expelled.
18 April
18 April:: The
The Western Test Range
Western Test Range building
building at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg
AFB adds a $3 million Data Transfer Center to support
AFB adds a $3 million Data Transfer Center to support the
the
space shuttle,
space shuttle, missile
missile testing,
testing, and
and the
the global
global positioning
positioning
system (GPS)
system (GPS) navigational
navigational satellite
satellite network.
network.

Night photo shot by approaching F-111F attack planes shows Soviet-made

II—76 transport aircraft at Tripoli Airport. The Aardvarks were equipped with
the Pave Tack laser-designation targeting system.

90
22
22 April
April:: Elements
Elements of
of the
the 33d
33d ARKS
ARRS stationed
stationed at
at both
both Clark
Clark
AB
AB and
and Kadena
Kadena AB
AB assist
assist in
in the
the attempted
attempted rescue
rescue of
of 900
900
passengers
passengers from
from aa ferry
ferry that
that sank
sank approximately
approximately 150150
statute
statute miles
miles southeast
southeast of
of Manila.
Manila.
24
24 April
April:: The
The attempt
attempt to
to rescue
rescue U.S.
U.S. citizens
citizens being
being held
held as
as
hostages
hostages inin Teheran
Teheran is
is halted
halted when an RH-53
when an RH-53 collides
collides with
with
an
an Air
Air Force
Force HC-130
HC-130 inin a
a sandstorm
sandstorm at
at aa refueling
refueling site
site in
in
the
the Iranian
Iranian desert
desert..
May:
May: 2d
2d Lt
Lt Mary
Mary L.
L. Wittick
Wittick is
is the
the first
first woman
woman to to enter
enter the
the
Air
Air Force
Force undergraduate
undergraduate helicopter
helicopter pilot
pilot training
training program
program in
in
Class 81-05 .
Class 81-05.
18
18 May-5
May-5 June
June:: Following
Following eruptions
eruptions ofof the
the Mount
Mount Saint
Saint
Helens
Helens volcano
volcano in in northwest
northwest Washington
Washington state,
state, ARRS,
ARRS,
Military
Military Airlift
Airlift wings,
wings, and
and the
the 9th
9th Strategic
Strategic Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Wing conduct humanitarian
Wing conduct humanitarian relief
relief efforts
efforts that
that include
include
reconnaissance
reconnaissance by by two
two SR-71
SR-71 Blackbirds
Blackbirds..
28
28 May:
May: For
For the
the first
first time,
time, 97
97 women
women areare among
among those
those
receiving
receiving commissions
commissions as as second
second lieutenants
lieutenants in
in graduation
graduation
ceremonies
ceremonies at
at the
the United
United States
States Air
Air Force
Force Academy.
Academy.
10
10 July-3
July-3 October:
October: Operation
Operation Proud
Proud Phantom
Phantom is is the
the first
first
tactical
tactical deployment
deployment inin Egypt
Egypt byby the
the U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force.
Force. The
The
exercise
exercise begins
begins with
with the
the arrival
arrival of
of 12
12 F-4Es
F-4Es inin Cairo,
Cairo, Egypt,
Egypt,
flown
flown from
from Moody
Moody AFB.
AFB.
28-30
28-30 July
July:: A
A flight
flight of
of four
four F-4E
F-4E Phantoms
Phantoms fromfrom the
the 3d3d
Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing,
Wing, Clark
Clark AFB,
AFB, flies
flies to
to Tengah
Tengah AB,AB,
Singapore.
Singapore. This
This is
is the
the first
first visit
visit by
by USAF
USAF tactical
tactical aircraft
aircraft to
to
Singapore since the city-state achieved independence in
Singapore since the city-state achieved independence in
1965
1965..
30
30 July-1
July-1 August:
August: The
The 146th
146th and
and 433d
433d Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift
Wings
Wings respond
respond with
with three
three C-130s
C-130s and
and 10,500
10,500 gallons
gallons of
of fire
fire
retardant chemicals to quell seven brush fires near Palm
retardant chemicals to quell seven brush fires near Palm
Springs,
Springs, California,
California, in
in the
the San
San Bernardino
Bernardino National
National Forest.
Forest.
The
The airlift permits firefighters
airlift permits to bring
firefighters to bring the
the fire
fire under
under control
control
within
within three
three days
days..
7-16
7-16 August:
August: The U.S. Air
The U.S. Air Force
Force Southern
Southern Air
Air Division
Division flies
flies
61
61 tons
tons of
of relief
relief equipment
equipment and
and aa 107-person
107-person clean-up
clean-up crew
crew
to assist the
to assist the victims of Hurricane
victims of Hurricane Allen
Allen in
in Haiti
Haiti and
and Saint
Saint

9911
Lucia,
Lucia, which
which killed
killed at
at least
least 57
57 people
people and left hundreds
and left hundreds
homeless.
homeless.
14
14 August
August:: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of the
the C-5A
C-5A with
with modified
modified wings
wings
occurs
occurs atat Dobbins
Dobbins AFB
AFB.. Lockheed-Georgia
Lockheed-Georgia isis contracted
contracted to
to
retrofit 77 C-5As with new wings by July 1987.
retrofit 77 C-5As with new wings by July 1987.
22 September:
September: An
An Air
Air Weather
Weather Service
Service detachment
detachment isis activated
activated
at
at the
the Johnson
Johnson Space
Space Center,
Center, Houston,
Houston, Texas,
Texas, to to advise
advise
space
space shuttle
shuttle personnel
personnel ofof environmental
environmental issues
issues and and
provide meteorological support during orbital flight tests.
provide meteorological support during orbital flight tests.
10
10 September
September:: An
An HH-3E
HH-3E from
from Osan
Osan AB
AB rescues
rescues 229
229 people
people
from
from the
the swirling
swirling waters
waters of
of the
the Sea
Sea of
of Japan
Japan after
after Typhoon
Typhoon
Orchid
Orchid struck
struck the
the eastern
eastern coast
coast of
of South
South Korea
Korea southeast
southeast of
of
Osan.
Osan.
18
18 September:
September: An
An explosion
explosion destroys
destroys the
the 308th
308th Strategic
Strategic
Missile Wing's Titan II launch complex 374-7 in Little Rock,
Missile Wing's Titan II launch complex 374-7 in Little Rock,
Arkansas.
Arkansas. One
One Air
Air Force
Force maintenance
maintenance person
person is
is killed
killed..
20
20 September
September:: PACAF
PACAF sponsors
sponsors visits
visits by
by two
two F-15s
F-15s and
and an
an
E-3A
E-3A to
to New
New Zealand,
Zealand, Malaysia,
Malaysia, Singapore,
Singapore, and
and Thailand
Thailand to
to
demonstrate
demonstrate these
these new
new aircraft.
aircraft.
11 October
October:: Operation
Operation Elf
Elf is
is initiated
initiated with
with four
four E-3As
E-3As
deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to protect Saudi air space
deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to protect Saudi air space
during
during the
the Iran-Iraq
Iran-Iraq War.
War.
33 October
October:: Piloting
Piloting anan HH-3
HH-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant
Giant helicopter,
helicopter,
Capt
Capt John
John J. J. Walters
Walters andand two
two pararescuemen
pararescuemen rescue rescue 6161
passengers
passengers and
and crew
crew aboard
aboard the
the burning
burning Dutch
Dutch luxury
luxury liner
liner
Prinsendam 120
Prinsendam 120 miles
miles south
south ofof Yakutat,
Yakutat, Alaska.
Alaska. Captain
Captain
Walters
Walters wins
wins the Mackay Trophy
the Mackay Trophy for
for his
his bravery
bravery..
12-23
12-23 October
October:: On On 10 10 October
October anan earthquake
earthquake registering
registering
7.2
7.2 on
on the
the Richter
Richter scale
scale and
and centered
centered inin the
the region
region of
of El
El
Asnam, Algeria, kills some 6,000 people and leaves more
Asnam, Algeria, kills some 6,000 people and leaves more
than
than 100,000
100,000 homeless.
homeless. The The 322d
322d Airlift
Airlift Division,
Division, the
the
436th,
436th, 437th,
437th, andand 438th
438th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wings;
Wings, and
and the
the
435th Tactical Airlift Wing transported more than 400 tons
435th Tactical Airlift Wing transported more than 400 tons
of
of relief
relief supplies
supplies and and 87 87 passengers
passengers on on behalf
behalf ofof the
the
Algerian
Algerian victims
victims..
17
17 October
October:: The
The Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense directs
directs the
the U.S.
U.S. Army
Army
to
to take
take over
over operations
operations at
at Wheeler
Wheeler AFB
AFB although
although ownership
ownership

a~
92
of
of the
the base
base remains
remains with with PACAF.
PACAF. Since Since the the reactivation
reactivation of of
Wheeler in 1952, the Army has been the principal flying
Wheeler in 1952, the Army has been the principal flying
user
user of
of the
the base.
base.
20-23 October: The
20-23 October: The U.S. U.S. Air
Air Force
Force Southern
Southern Air Air Division
Division
units
units fly
fly 40
40 tons
tons ofof food,
food, medical
medical supplies,
supplies, and and accessories
accessories
to
to northwestern
northwestern Nicaragua
Nicaragua to to succor
succor flood
flood victims.
victims.
12-14 November: For
12-14 November: For thethe first
first time,
time, USAFE
USAFE taskstasks anan entire
entire
wing,
wing, the
the 50th50th Tactical
Tactical Fighter,
Fighter, to to exercise
exercise itsits wartime
wartime
mission in a chemical environment for a sustained period.
mission in a chemical environment for a sustained period.
The
The training
training exercise
exercise is is held
held at at Hahn
Hahn AB. AB.
12-25 November: Rapid
12-25 November: Rapid Deployment
Deployment Force Force elements
elements of of
USAFE represent the first joint overseas exercise in Egypt
USAFE represent the first joint overseas exercise in Egypt
when
when they
they participate
participate in Operation Bright
in Operation Bright Star.
Star.
20 November: The
20 November: The first
first F-111
F-l 11 Pave Pave Tack-modified
Tack-modified aircraft
aircraft
arrives
arrives at
at the
the 48th
48th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing,Wing, RAFRAF Lakenheath,
Lakenheath,
United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom. The The F-111
F-l 11 PavePave TackTack system
system provides
provides aa
24-hour high- and low-altitude weapons delivery capability.
24-hour high- and low-altitude weapons delivery capability.
21 November: Responding
21 November: Responding to to aa fire at the
fire at 26-story MGM
the 26-story MGM
Grand
Grand Hotel
Hotel in in Las Vegas, Nevada,
Las Vegas, Nevada, all all the 20th and
the 20th and 302d
302d
Special
Special Operations
Operations Squadrons,
Squadrons, as as well
well as Detachment 11 of
as Detachment of
the
the 57th
57th Fighter
Fighter Weapons
Weapons Wing, Wing, rescue
rescue 310310 persons.
persons.
23
23 November-2 December: In
November-2 December: In the
the wake
wake of of aa severe
severe earthquake
earthquake
in
in the
the Naples
Naples areaarea of
of southern
southern Italy,
Italy, USAFE
USAFE provides
provides logistical
logistical
assistance,
assistance, including
including 300 300 tons
tons of of tents,
tents, blankets,
blankets, andand medical
medical
supplies
supplies through
through the the auspices
auspices of of MAC.
MAC. In In close
close proximity
proximity to to
the
the disaster,
disaster, thethe 2181st
2181st Communications
Communications Squadron Squadron at at Monte
Monte
Vergine,
Vergine, Italy,
Italy, provides
provides relief
relief toto the
the local
local communities
communities that that
sustained
sustained damages.
damages.
25 November: The
25 November: The 26th
26th Tactical
Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor
Fighter Training Aggressor
Squadron
Squadron flies its final
flies its final T-38 sortie. Replacing
T-38 sortie. Replacing the the four
four T-38
T-38
Talons after they are returned to the Air Training Command
Talons after they are returned to the Air Training Command
are
are F-5E
F-5E and and F-5F aircraft.
F-5F aircraft.
25-29 November: The
25-29 November: The outbreak
outbreak of of 1111 major
major fires
fires inin aa
125-square-mile area covering four counties east of Los
125-square-mile area covering four counties east of Los
Angeles,
Angeles, California,
California, bringsbrings to to the
the disaster
disaster scene
scene units
units ofof
MAC and the Air Force Airlift Readiness Center. Thirteen
MAC and the Air Force Airlift Readiness Center. Thirteen

93
93
hundred
hundred and
and five
five tons
tons of
of fire-retardant
fire-retardant chemicals
chemicals are
are
sprayed
sprayed on
on the
the fires.
fires.
10
10 December:
December: Four
Four E-3A
E-3A AWACS
AWACS aircraft
aircraft are
are sent
sent byby
USAFE to Ramstein AB to participate in Operation Elf, the
USAFE to Ramstein AB to participate in Operation Elf, the
ongoing
ongoing cooperative
cooperative effort
effort with
with Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia toto monitor
monitor
Middle
Middle Eastern
Eastern airspace
airspace.. In
In view
view of
of the
the crisis
crisis in
in Poland,
Poland, anan
additional four E-3As are deployed to Europe.
additional four E-3As are deployed to Europe.
12
12 December:
December: After
After two
two and
and one-half
one-half years
years ofof study,
study, the
the
Community College of the Air Force at Maxwell AFB is
Community College of the Air Force at Maxwell AFB is
accredited
accredited by
by the
the Commission
Commission on on Colleges
Colleges of
of the
the Southern
Southern
Association
Association to
to award
award thethe Associate
Associate in
in Applied
Applied Science
Science
degree .
degree.

1491;l
1981
January-June:
January-June: Operating
Operating from
from Corpus
Corpus Christi,
Christi, Texas,
Texas, and
and
Little
Little Rock,
Rock, Arkansas,
Arkansas, MAC
MAC C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules deliver
deliver 500
500
tons
tons of of arms,
arms, ammunition,
ammunition, helicopters,
helicopters, and
and other
other war
war
materials
materials worth
worth $5$5 million
million to
to El
El Salvador
Salvador.. The
The operation
operation
assists
assists the
the Salvadorian
Salvadorian government
government inin its
its operations
operations against
against
leftist guerrillas.
leftist guerrillas.
11
11 January:
January: Boeing
Boeing Company
Company delivers
delivers the
the first
first two
two air-
air-
launched
launched cruise
cruise missiles
missiles toto the
the 416th
416th Bombardment
Bombardment Wing, Wing,
Griffiss
Griffiss AFB,
AFB, forfor initial
initial use
use in
in environmental testing and
environmental testing and
maintenance training. Capable of delivering a nuclear
maintenance training. Capable of delivering a nuclear
weapon
weapon toto aa target
target 1,500
1,500 miles
miles away,
away, the
the ALCM
ALCM contains
contains a a
terrain-contour-matching
terrain-contour-matching feature feature allowing extremely low
allowing extremely low
altitude
altitude flight to avoid
flight to avoid detection
detection by
by enemy
enemy radar.
radar.
12
12 January:
January: Terrorists
Terrorists destroy
destroy nine
nine A-7D
A-7D Corsair
Corsair aircraft
aircraft
assigned
assigned to
to the
the ANG
ANG 156th
156th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Group
Group at
at Muniz
Muniz
ANG
ANG Base,
Base, Puerto
Puerto Rico.
Rico.
18-25
18-25 January:
January: Two
Two MAC
MAC C-9
C-9 Nightingales
Nightingales transport
transport 52
52
Americans
Americans held
held by
by Iran for 444
Iran for 444 days to Rhein-Main
days to Rhein-Main AB.
AB.
After
After a
a four-day
four-day stay
stay at
at the
the USAF
USAF hospital
hospital in
in Wiesbaden,
Wiesbaden,
Germany,
Germany, the
the former
former hostages
hostages return
return to
to the
the `United
United States
States
via
via a
a MAC VC-137..
MAC VC-137
23
23 January:
January: Two
Two helicopters
helicopters from
from the
the 6594th
6594th Test
Test Group
Group
perform a pararescue-assisted hoist pickup of an injured
perform a pararescue-assisted hoist pickup of an injured

94
94
seaman
seaman from
from aa merchant
merchant vessel
vessel 240
240 nautical
nautical miles
miles west
west of
of
Honolulu,
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hawaii.
10
10 February
February:: Three
Three U-1
U-l helicopters
helicopters from
from thethe 57th
57th Fighter
Fighter
Weapons
Weapons Wing
Wing at
at Indian
Indian Springs Air Force
Springs Air Force Auxiliary
Auxiliary Field,
Field,
Nevada, rescue nine guests trapped by fire on the roof of the
Nevada, rescue nine guests trapped by fire on the roof of the
30-story Las Vegas
30-story Las Vegas Hilton
Hilton.. Firefighters
Firefighters from
from Nellis
Nellis AFB
AFB help
help
extinguish
extinguish the
the flames
flames..
28
28 February-6
February-6 March
March:: After
After earthquakes
earthquakes strike
strike central
central
Greece, the 7206th Air Base Group at Hellenikon AB assists
Greece, the 7206th Air Base Group at Hellenikon AB assists
relief
relief efforts
efforts with
with emergency
emergency supplies
supplies and
and equipment.
equipment.
12 March:: The
12 March The Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense Command
Command selects
selects
Peterson
Peterson AFB,
AFB, Colorado,
Colorado, asas the
the site
site for
for the
the backup
backup facility
facility to
to
the North American
the North American Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense (NORAD) Command,
(NORAD) Command,
Cheyenne
Cheyenne Mountain
Mountain Complex.
Complex. The The facility
facility will
will assume
assume
command
command and and control
control functions
functions should
should thethe NORAD
NORAD
Complex experience aa failure
Complex experience failure during
during peacetime.
peacetime.
17
17 March:
March: Douglas
Douglas Aircraft
Aircraft Company
Company delivers
delivers the
the first
first
KC-10A Extender tanker/cargo aircraft to SAC. Substantially
KC-10A Extender tanker/cargo aircraft to SAC. Substantially
larger
larger than the KC-135
than the KG-135 tanker/cargo
tanker/cargo aircraft
aircraft it
it supplements,
supplements,
the Extender carries advanced equipment enabling it
the Extender carries advanced equipment enabling it to
to refuel
refuel
a
a wide
wide variety
variety of aircraft while
of aircraft while delivering
delivering cargo overseas..
cargo overseas
18
18 March:
March: The
The arrival
arrival of
of 80
80 F-15
F-15 Eagles
Eagles at
at the
the 18th
18th Tactical
Tactical
Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing completes
completes the the conversion
conversion of
of PACAF
PACAF toto the
the new
new
fighter-bomber
fighter-bomber.. The
The 18th
18th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing transfers
transfers 79
79
F-4 Phantoms to other commands .
F-4 Phantoms to other commands.
12-15
12-15 April:
April: USAF
USAF space
space tracking
tracking and
and communications
communications
systems
systems operated
operated by
by the
the Aerospace
Aerospace Defense
Defense Command
Command andand
the Air Force Communications Command support the
the Air Force Communications Command support the space
space
shuttle's
shuttle's maiden flight..
maiden flight
14
14 June
June:: Six
Six F-15
F-15 Eagles
Eagles from
from the 36th Tactical
the 36th Tactical Fighter
Fighter
Wing
Wing and
and one
one from
from the
the 32d
32d Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing become
become
the first USAFE aircraft to
the first USAFE aircraft to participate
participate in
in the
the TAC's
TAC's Red
Red Flag
Flag
exercise.
exercise.
July:
July: Heavy
Heavy rains cause widespread
rains cause widespread flooding
flooding south
south of
of Osan
Osan
AB.
AB. USAF
USAF helicopters
helicopters assigned
assigned to
to the
the 33d
33d ARRS
ARRS cooperate
cooperate
with the Republic of Korea
with the Republic of Korea forces
forces to
to rescue
rescue 118
118 people
people from
from
the rising waters.
the rising waters.

95
95
33 August
August:: USAF
USAF airair traffic
traffic controllers
controllers man
man civilian
civilian U.S.
U.S.
airport
airport facilities,
facilities, replacing
replacing striking
striking personnel.
personnel. Thanks
Thanks to to
military
military assistance,
assistance, civilian
civilian air
air operations
operations continue
continue service
service
despite
despite the
the strike.
strike.
14
14 September
September:: The
The first
first operational
operational F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcons
Falcons
of
of PACAF
PACAF arrive
arrive at
at Kunsan
Kunsan AB.AB. At
At the
the end
end of
of the
the year,
year, 34
34
operational aircraft are
operational aircraft are located
located there
there..
15
15 September:
September: SAC SAC receives
receives its
its first
first TR-1A
TR-1A reconnaissance
reconnaissance
aircraft. Built by Lockheed-California, this improved
aircraft. Built by Lockheed-California, this improved and and
enlarged
enlarged version
version of of the
the U-2
U-2 reconnaissance
reconnaissance aircraft
aircraft can
can
conduct
conduct all-weather
all-weather dayday and
and night
night operations
operations atat altitudes
altitudes
exceeding
exceeding 70,000
70,000 feet
feet..
21
21 September
September:: ARRS ARRS helicopters
helicopters basedbased at at Clark
Clark AB AB
cooperate
cooperate with
with the U.S. Navy
the U.S. Navy and
and Philippine
Philippine authorities
authorities toto
rescue
rescue 1818 of
of 97
97 crew
crew members
members fromfrom the
the grounded
grounded Philippine
Philippine
navy
navy destroyer
destroyer Datu
Datu Kalantiaw.
Kalantiaw. This
This event
event increases
increases the
the
total
total for
for individuals
individuals rescued
rescued by by ARRS
ARRS toto 20,000
20,000 during
during 3535
years
years of
of service.
service.
11 October:
October: Air
Air Training
Training Command
Command begins
begins aa special
special program
program
at Mather AFB to train German weapon system officers for
at Mather AFB to train German weapon system officers for
duty
duty in
in the
the second
second seat
seat of
of the
the Tornado
Tornado fighter-bomber,
fighter-bomber, aa two-
two-
seat, swing-wing aircraft similar to the F-111 fighter-bomber.
seat, swing-wing aircraft similar to the F-l 11 fighter-bomber.
22 October
October:: Reversing
Reversing President
President Carter's
Carter's decision
decision to
to end
end the
the
B-1 Lancer program, President Ronald Reagan announces
B-l Lancer program, President Ronald Reagan announces
that
that the
the Air
Air Force
Force will
will build
build and
and deploy
deploy 100100 of
of these
these
aircraft.
aircraft. President
President Reagan
Reagan alsoalso announces
announces thatthat the
the M-X
M-X
missile
missile will
will initially
initially be
be deployed
deployed in in existing
existing missile
missile silos.
silos.
22 October
October:: Deputy
Deputy Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense Frank
Frank P.P. Carlucci
Carlucci
orders
orders the
the inactivation
inactivation of
of the
the Titan
Titan II
II weapon
weapon system.
system. This
This
decision
decision ends
ends several
several years
years of
of controversy
controversy surrounding
surrounding the
the
viability
viability and
and safety
safety of
of the
the United
United States's
States's largest
largest ICBM
ICBM..
14
14 October
October:: The
The TAC
TAC deploys
deploys two
two E--3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry AWACS
AWACS
aircraft
aircraft to
to Egypt to help
Egypt to help ensure
ensure calm
calm after
after the
the assassination
assassination
of
of Prime
Prime Minister
Minister Anwar
Anwar Sadat.
Sadat.
21 October:: The
21 October The Euro-North
Euro-North Atlantic
Atlantic Treaty
Treaty Organization
Organization
Joint Jet Pilot Training Program begins at Sheppard AFB.
Joint Jet Pilot Training Program begins at Sheppard AFB.
Modeled
Modeled after
after the
the undergraduate
undergraduate pilot
pilot training
training program
program

96
96
conducted for
conducted for the
the German
German air air force
force since
since 1966,
1966, this
this
program trains pilots from Belgium, Canada,
program trains pilots from Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
Denmark,
Germany, Greece, Italy,
Germany, Greece, Italy, the
the Netherlands,
Netherlands, Norway,
Norway, Portugal,
Portugal,
Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States .
Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
55 November
November:: TheThe first
first operational
operational EF-111A
EF-111A defense
defense
suppression aircraft
suppression aircraft is
is delivered
delivered to to the
the 388th
388th Electronic
Electronic
Combat
Combat Squadron
Squadron at at Mountain
Mountain Home Home AFB,AFB, Idaho.
Idaho. The
The
EF-111A will eventually replace EB-66 and EB-57 aircraft to
EF-111A will eventually replace EB-66 and EB-57 aircraft to
provide
provide worldwide support of
worldwide support of tactical
tactical air
air strike
strike forces
forces..
23
23 November:
November: During
During the
the Bright
Bright Star '82 exercise,
Star '82 exercise, eight
eight
B-52 bombers assigned to the strategic projection force
B-52 bombers assigned to the strategic projection force
establish
establish a a record
record for
for the
the longest nonstop B-52
longest nonstop B-52 bombing
bombing
mission. Flying a distance of 15,000
mission. Flying a distance of 15,000 miles
miles with
with three
three midair
midair
refuelings
refuelings in
in 31
31 hours
hours from
from air bases in
air bases in North
North Dakota,
Dakota, the
the
bombers
bombers deliver
deliver their
their conventional
conventional munitions
munitions onon aa simulated
simulated
runway
runway inin Egypt.
Egypt.
31
31 December:
December: Following the arrival
Following the arrival of
of training
training models
models in
in
mid-September,
mid-September, thethe first
first operational
operational F-16
F-16 assigned
assigned to
to
USAFE arrives at the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn AB.
USAFE arrives at the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn AB.

191;2
1982
26
26 January:
January: Maj
Maj Gen
Gen Michael
Michael Collins (USAF Reserve),
Collins (USAF Reserve), one
one of
of
the three crew members on
the three crew members on the
the Apollo
ApoUo XI
XI mission
mission to
to the
the
moon,
moon, flies
flies his last mission
his last mission as
as a
a reserve
reserve officer
officer in
in an
an F-16
F-16
Fighting Falcon aircraft
Fighting Falcon aircraft at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
28
28 January:
January: The first of
The first of 76 C-5 Galaxy
76 C-5 Galaxy aircraft
aircraft to
to receive
receive
new wings is delivered to Lockheed-Georgia. Modification of
new wings is delivered to Lockheed-Georgia. Modification of
these
these aircraft
aircraft is expected to
is expected to cost
cost $1 .4 bilion
$1.4 bilion..
24
24 February
February:: The
The airborne early warning
airborne early warning force
force at
at
Geilenkirchen NATO AB,
Geilenkirchen NATO AB, Germany,
Germany, receives
receives its
its first
first of
of 18
18
authorized
authorized E-3A Sentry aircraft.
E-3A Sentry aircraft.
33 March:
March: The
The initial
initial flight
flight of
of six A-10 Thunderbolt
six A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft
aircraft
arrives
arrives at
at Suwon
Suwon AB, South Korea.
AB, South Korea. The
The Republic
Republic ofof Korea
Korea
will build more than 50 facilities totaling over 700,000
will build more than 50 facilities totaling over 700,000
square
square feet to support
feet to support thethe A-10
A-10 beddown project, known
beddown project, known as
as
Commando Vulcan.
Commando Vulcan.

97
97
24
24 March
March:: USAFE
USAFE acquires
acquires Comiso
Comiso AS,
AS, Sicily,
Sicily, as
as a
a
ground-launch
ground-launch cruise
cruise missile
missile site
site..
4-8
4-8 May:
May: An
An E-3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry AWACS
AWACS aircraft
aircraft deploys
deploys for
for the
the
first
first time
time to
to Turkey.
Turkey.
30 May: Spain,
30 May: Spain, long
long a
a host
host to
to USAF
USAF bases,
bases, joins
joins NATO.
NATO.
10
10 June
June:: SAC's
SAC's first
first all-woman
all-woman KC-135
KC-135 crew,
crew, assigned
assigned to
to
the
the 924th
924th Air
Air Refueling
Refueling Squadron,
Squadron, Castle
Castle AFB,
AFB, perform
perform aa
five-hour training mission that includes a midair refueling
five-hour training mission that includes a midair refueling
of
of a
a B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress aircraft
aircraft..
14
14 June
June:: The
The 313th
313th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Squadron,
Squadron, Hahn
Hahn AB,
AB,
becomes
becomes the
the first
first F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon operationally
operationally ready
ready
squadron
squadron inin USAFE.
USAFE.
21
21 June
June:: SAC's
SAC's tanker
tanker operations
operations attain
attain another
another level
level of
of
success
success with
with an
an aerial
aerial refueling
refueling 750
750 miles
miles north
north of
of the
the South
South
Pole
Pole.. While
While establishing
establishing the
the record
record for
for the
the southernmost
southernmost
in-flight
in-flight refueling,
refueling, the
the KC-10A
KC-10A Extender
Extender transfers
transfers 67,400
67,400
pounds
pounds of aviation fuel
of aviation fuel during
during the
the rendezvous
rendezvous in in support
support of
of
MAC
MAC resupply
resupply operations
operations in
in Antarctica,
Antarctica, the
the largest
largest amount
amount
ever.
ever.
11 July
July:: USAFE
USAFE activates
activates the
the first
first of
of six
six ground-launched
ground-launched
cruise missile (GLOM) wings to be stationed in
cruise missile (GLCM) wings to be stationed in Europe,
Europe, the
the
501 st TMW,
501st TMW, atat RAF
RAF Greenham
Greenham Common,
Common, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom.
22 July
July:: SAC
SAC phases
phases out
out its
its first
first Titan
Titan IIII missile,
missile, removing
removing
from
from alert
alert the
the missile
missile assigned
assigned to to Site
Site 9 9 at
at the
the 570th
570th
Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB. AFB.
6-13
6-13 July:
July: AA C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft airlifts
airlifts 113
113 tons
tons ofof
sorghum and vegetable oil to refugees
sorghum and vegetable oil to refugees in Africa during the
in Africa during the
Chadian
Chadian civil
civil war.
war.
15
15 July
July:: SAC
SAC launches
launches its
its 1,500th
1,500th missile
missile from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg
AFB.
AFB. The
The tests
tests at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg date
date from
from 15
15 December
December 1958
1958..
30
30 August:
August: The
The F-5G
F-5G (later,
(later, F-20)
F-20) Tigershark
Tigershark makes
makes its
its first
first
flight
flight at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
22 September:
September: B-1B
B-1B prototype
prototype no
no.. 4
4 lands
lands atat Farnborough,
Farnborough,
England. Its 11 .4-hour nonstop flight from Edwards AFB
England. Its 11.4-hour nonstop flight from Edwards AFB
marks
marks the first landing
the first landing of
of a
a B-1
B-l aircraft
aircraft at
at aa site
site other
other than
than
Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.

98
98
16
16 September
September:: CaptCapt Ron
Ron Cavendish
Cavendish and and crewcrew E-21
E-21
successfully
successfully land
land their B-52 Stratofortress
their B-52 Stratofortress after
after the
the aircraft
aircraft
lost both of its rudder elevator hydraulic systems. This feat
lost both of its rudder elevator hydraulic systems. This feat
had
had never
never before
before been
been accomplished without significant
accomplished without significant
damage to or
damage to or complete
complete destruction
destruction of
of the
the aircraft.
aircraft. The
The crew
crew is
is
slated
slated to
to receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy..
21
21 September:
September: A A B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress of of the
the 416th
416th
Bombardment
Bombardment Wing,
Wing, Griffiss AFB, conducts
Griffiss AFB, conducts the
the first
first
air-launched
air-launched cruise
cruise missile
missile operational
operational test.
test.
23
23 September:
September: Headquarters
Headquarters USAFUSAF activates
activates Space
Space
Command, later to be designated Air Force Space Command.
Command, later to be designated Air Force Space Command.
14-19
14-19 November
November:: The
The 527th
527th Tactical Fighter Training
Tactical Fighter Training
Aggressor Squadron
Aggressor Squadron deploys
deploys three
three F-5
F-5 Tiger
Tiger aircraft
aircraft to
to
Eskisehir
Eskisehir AB,
AB, Turkey,
Turkey, for
for its
its first
first dissimilar air combat
dissimilar air combat
tactics
tactics training
training with the Turkish
with the Turkish air
air force
force..
16
16 November
November:: TheThe space
space shuttle Columbia completes
shuttle Columbia completes itsits
first
first operational flight (and
operational flight (and fifth
fifth overall)
overall) when
when it it lands
lands on
on
runway
runway 22 22 at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB. With
With aa crew
crew of
of four, it becomes
four, it becomes
the
the first
first spacecraft
spacecraft ever
ever to ferry more
to ferry more than
than three
three people
people into
into
space.
space.
16
16 December
December:: The
The 416th Bombardment Wing
416th Bombardment Wing atat Griffiss
Griffiss
AFB places the
AFB places the first
first air-launched
air-launched cruise
cruise missile
missile on
on alert.
alert.
24-30
24-30 December: MAC airlifts
December: MAC airlifts 87
87 tons
tons of
of supplies
supplies (tents,
(tents,
blankets, medical supplies, and generators) to earthquake
blankets, medical supplies, and generators) to earthquake
victims
victims in
in the
the Yemen
Yemen Arab Republic.. The
Arab Republic The earthquake
earthquake struck
struck
on 13 December .
on 13 December.

l4)I
19«3 ;3
11 January:
January: United States Central
United States Central Command
Command isis activated
activated at
at
MacDill
MacDill AFB,
AFB, Florida,
Florida, as
as a unified command.
a unified command. This
This will
will be
be
Gen
Gen HH.. Norman Schwarzkopfss command
Norman Schwarzkopf command in
in Desert
Desert Storm
Storm inin
January 1991..
January 1991
February
February:: A
A C-141 Starlifter transports
C-141 Starlifter transports 1515 tons
tons of
of communi-
communi-
cations equipment
cations equipment from
from the
the United
United States
States to
to Lagos,
Lagos, Nigeria,
Nigeria, to
to
restore disrupted services when a fire destroys a telecom-
restore disrupted services when a fire destroys a telecom-
munications
munications center
center..

99
99
11 February:
February: Ahuas
Ahuas Tara
Tara I,I, a
a combined,
combined, joint
joint training
training exercise
exercise
that involves many USAF units, commences in Honduras . It
that involves many USAF units, commences in Honduras. It
demonstrates
demonstrates American
American support
support for for noncommunist
noncommunist regimes
regimes in
in
Central
Central America
America and
and puts
puts pressure
pressure on on neighboring
neighboring Nicaragua,
Nicaragua,
which
which isis aligned
aligned with
with Cuba
Cuba and and the
the Union
Union of
of Soviet
Soviet Socialist
Socialist
Republics
Republics (USSR).
(USSR).
11 February
February:: The
The 868th
868th Tactical
Tactical Missile
Missile Training
Training Squadron
Squadron
begins training personnel
begins training personnel to
to operate
operate GLCMs
GLCMs scheduled
scheduled to
to be
be
deployed
deployed in
in Europe.
Europe.
22 February
February:: F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon pilot
pilot training
training begins
begins at
at
Luke AFB .
Luke AFB.
33 February
February:: In
In an
an effort
effort to
to modernize
modernize America's
America's retaliatory
retaliatory
capability,
capability, SAC
SAC completes
completes retrofitting
retrofitting 300
300 Minuteman
Minuteman III III
ICBMs
ICBMs with
with new
new reentry
reentry systems.
systems.
11 March:
March: MAC
MAC activates
activates the
the Twenty-third
Twenty-third Air
Air Force
Force at
at Scott
Scott
AFB,
AFB, Illinois,
Illinois, to
to provide
provide combat
combat rescue,
rescue, special
special operations,
operations,
weather reconnaissance, atmospheric
weather reconnaissance, atmospheric sampling,
sampling, security
security
support
support for
for missile
missile sites,
sites, training
training of
of USAF
USAF helicopter
helicopter and
and
HC-130
HC-130 crewmen,
crewmen, andand pararescue
pararescue training
training..
11 March
March:: The
The 1st
1st Special
Special Operations
Operations Wing
Wing isis reassigned
reassigned
from
from TAC
TAC toto MAC.
MAC. Hurlburt
Hurlburt Field,
Field, Florida,
Florida, is
is also
also reassigned
reassigned
from
from TAC
TAC toto MAC.
MAC.
15-28
15-28 March:
March: SACSAC successfully
successfully demonstrates
demonstrates three
three launches
launches
of
of AGM-84 Harpoon missiles
AGM-84 Harpoon missiles from B-52 Stratofortresses
from B-52 Stratofortresses at
at
the
the Pacific
Pacific Missile
Missile Test
Test Range,
Range, Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll.
Atoll. The
The command
command
is
is exploring
exploring its
its ability
ability to
to perform
perform sea
sea interdiction
interdiction missions
missions..
11 April-1
April—1 May:
May: USAF
USAF transfers
transfers 31
31 SAC
SAC units
units and
and four
four
installations
installations to
to Space
Space Command,
Command, which
which takes
takes over
over missile
missile
warning
warning andand space
space surveillance
surveillance systems.
systems.
1-8
1-8 April
April:: An
An American C-130 Hercules
American C-130 transport aircraft
Hercules transport aircraft
airlifts
airlifts at
at least
least 34
34 tons
tons of
of shelters,
shelters, medical
medical supplies,
supplies, electric
electric
generators, and floodlights from Panama to victims of
generators, and floodlights from Panama to victims of an
an
earthquake
earthquake in in southwestern
southwestern Colombia
Colombia..
5-10 April:
5-10 April: Up
Up to 20 inches
to 20 inches ofof rain
rain falls
falls over
over southeastern
southeastern
Louisiana,
Louisiana, flooding
flooding the
the state
state penitentiary
penitentiary and
and 40,000
40,000 homes.
homes.
Four
Four USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft airlift
airlift 83
83 tons
tons of
of tents,
tents,
cots, field kitchens, and other relief cargo.
cots, field kitchens, and other relief cargo.

100
100
26
26 April:
April: The
Hie first
first GLOM
GLCM training
training class
class graduates
graduates at
at Davis-
Davls-
Monthan AFB and its personnel are assigned to a TMW in
Monthan AFB and its personnel are assigned to a TMW in
USAFE.
USAFE.
11 May:
May: USAF begins flying
USAF begins flying surveillance
surveillance missions
missions over
over the
the
Bahamas
Bahamas to
to help
help local
local police
police apprehend
apprehend drug
drug smugglers.
smugglers.
17
17 June:
June: The
The first
first Peacekeeper
Peacekeeper ICBM,
ICBM, carrying
carrying multiple
multiple war-
war-
heads,
heads, is
is launched
launched at Vandenberg
at Vandenberg AFB.
AFB. The
The unarmed
unarmed war-
war-
heads land in the Kwajalein target area in the Pacific Ocean.
heads land in the Kwajalein target area in the Pacific Ocean.
26
26 June-1
June-1 July:
July: Three
Three USAF
USAF C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft transport
transport
170
170 tons
tons of
of food,
food, medicine,
medicine, and
and other
other relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to the
the
victims
victims ofa
of a flood
flood in
in northwestern
northwestern Peru.
Peru.
44 June:
June: At
At Hill
Hill AFB
AFB F-105
F-105 Thunderchiefs
Thunderchiefs stage
stage aa final
final flyby
flyby to
to
mark the phasing out of the last AFRES
mark the phasing out of the last AFRES Thunderchief
Thunderchief
squadron.
squadron.
11 July:
July: A
A provisional
provisional USAF
USAF support
support squadron
squadron is
is activated
activated at
at
Riyadh
Riyadh AB,
AB, Saudi
Saudi Arabia,
Arabia, as
as aa war
war rages
rages between
between Iran
Iran and
and
Iraq,
Iraq, posing
posing a
a threat
threat to
to nearby
nearby Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia and
and its
its oil-rich
oil-rich
neighbors
neighbors in
in the
the Persian
Persian Gulf.
Gulf.
24
24 July-6
July-6 August:
August: Two
Two USAF
USAF UH-1UH-1 helicopters
helicopters transport
transport
medical personnel and ten tons of food and medical
medical personnel and ten tons of food and medical
supplies
supplies to
to the
the victims
victims of
of aa flood
flood in
in western
western Ecuador.
Ecuador.
11 August:
August: Six
Six minutes
minutes after
after Air
Air Force
Force One
One lands
lands at
at Andrews
Andrews
AFB
AFB with
with President
President Ronald
Ronald Reagan
Reagan aboard,
aboard, aa microburst
microburst
with
with winds
winds of
of 120
120 knots
knots strikes
strikes the
the base,
base, causing
causing $465,000
$465,000
worth
worth of
of damage.
damage.
August:
August: Three
Three C-123
C-123 Providers
Providers of
of the
the 907th
907th Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift
Group
Group spray
spray insecticide
insecticide over
over 11
11 Minnesota
Minnesota counties
counties toto
counter an encephalitis epidemic .
counter an encephalitis epidemic.
7
7 August:
August: A A terrorist
terrorist bomb,
bomb, possibly
possibly planted
planted by
by antinuclear
antinuclear
activists, explodes at the Officers Club at Hahn AB.
activists, explodes at the Officers Club at Hahn AB.
10
10 August: Secretary of
August: Secretary of Defense
Defense Caspar
Caspar W.
W. Weinberger
Weinberger
directs the Air Force to deploy 100 Peacekeeper missiles
directs the Air Force to deploy 100 Peacekeeper missiles in
in
Minuteman
Minuteman silos.
silos.
15
15 August-15
August-15 September:
September: Twelve
Twelve C-141 Starlifter missions
C-141 Starlifter missions
transport
transport 185
185 tons
tons of
of cargo
cargo to
to Chad
Chad in
in Africa
Africa as
as part
part of
of aa
security assistance program.
security assistance program.

101
101
11 September:
September: A A Soviet
Soviet SU-15
SU-15 interceptor
interceptor shoots
shoots down
down
Korean
Korean Airline
Airline Flight
Flight 007,
007, aa Boeing
Boeing 747
747 airliner
airliner with
with 269
269
people
people aboard,
aboard, near
near Sakhalin
Sakhalin Island
Island north
north ofof Japan.
Japan.
Three
Three HC-130
HC-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft from
from the
the 33d
33d ARRS
ARRS at at
Kadena
Kadena ABAB participate
participate in
in subsequent
subsequent search
search but
but find
find no
no
survivors.
survivors. SAC
SAC KC-135
KC-135 Stratotankers
Stratotankers support
support the
the search
search
operation
operation..
3-25
3-25 September:
September: As
As part
part of
of Operation
Operation Rubber
Rubber Wall,
Wall, MAC
MAC
flies
flies 85
85 C-141
C-141 Starlifter,
Starlifter, 24
24 C-5
C-5 Galaxy,
Galaxy, and
and four
four C-130
C-130
Hercules
Hercules missions
missions to
to transport
transport about
about 4,000
4,000 tons
tons of
of supplies
supplies
from
from the
the United
United States
States to
to American
American marines
marines in
in Lebanon.
Lebanon.
55 September:
September: A A KC-135
KC-135 Stratotanker
Stratotanker crew
crew led
led by
by Capt
Capt
Robert
Robert J.
J. Goodman
Goodman savessaves an
an F-4E
F-^1E Phantom
Phantom andand its
its crew
crew
over
over the
the Pacific.
Pacific. The
The KC-135
KC-135 refuels
refuels the
the F-4E
F-4E four
four times
times
and tows
and tows it
it with
with aa refueling
refueling boom
boom.. The
The crew
crew receives
receives the
the
Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for the
the most
most meritorious
meritorious flight
flight of
of the
the year
year..
28
28 September:
September: The
The Air
Air Force
Force designates
designates the
the new
new EF-111A
EF-111A
tactical electronic jamming aircraft as
tactical electronic jamming aircraft as the
the Raven .
Raven.
11 October:
October: The
The last
last B-52D
B-52D Stratofortresses
Stratofortresses are
are retired.
retired. This
This
is
is the
the aircraft
aircraft that
that flew
flew most
most of
of the
the Arc
Arc Light
Light bombing
bombing
missions
missions over
over Vietnam.
Vietnam.
4-5
4-5 October:
October: Four
Four CH-3
CH-3 helicopters
helicopters of
of the
the 302d
302d Special
Special
Operations Squadron transport 57 residents of
Operations Squadron transport 57 residents of the
the
Maricopa
Maricopa area
area of
of Arizona
Arizona to
to higher
higher ground
ground during
during aa flood.
flood.
66 October
October:: Three
Three B-52G
B-52G Stratofortress
Stratofortress bombers
bombers are are
modified
modified to
to carry
carry the
the AGM-84
AGM-84 Harpoon
Harpoon antiship
antiship missile
missile..
23
23 October-9
October-9 December
December:: After
After a
a terrorist
terrorist bomb
bomb explodes
explodes at
at
the
the U .S. Marine
U.S. Marine barracks
barracks in
in Beirut,
Beirut, Lebanon,
Lebanon, MACMAC and
and
AFRES
AFRES cargo
cargo and
and aeromedical
aeromedical evacuation
evacuation aircraft
aircraft transport
transport
239
239 dead
dead and
and 9595 wounded
wounded Americans
Americans toto the
the United
United States
States
and
and Europe
Europe for
for burial
burial and
and medical
medical treatment.
treatment.
25
25 October-2
October-2 November
November:: In In Operation
Operation Urgent
Urgent Fury,
Fury,
American
American military
military forces
forces invade
invade the
the Caribbean
Caribbean island
island of
of
Grenada
Grenada toto evacuate
evacuate Americans
Americans threatened
threatened by by aa coup
coup and
and
to
to restore
restore political
political stability.
stability. During
During the
the deployment
deployment phase,
phase,
MAC
MAC and
and AFRES
AFRES C-5C-5 Galaxy,
Galaxy, C-141
C-141 Starlifter,
Starlifter, and
and C-130
C-130
Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft fly
fly 496
496 missions
missions toto transport
transport 11,389
11,389

102
102
USAF aircraft drop Army paratroopers during Operation Urgent Fury, the
invasion of Grenada in October 1983.

passengers
passengers and 7,709 tons
and 7,709 tons of
of cargo.
cargo. SAC tankers and
SAC tankers and TAC
TAC
fighters, as well as ANG EC- 130Es, also support the
fighters, as well as ANG EC-130Es, also support the
operation.
operation.
25
25 October-23
October-23 November
November 19841984:: During
During Urgent
Urgent Fury,
Fury, the
the
military operation to
military operation to protect
protect American
American citizens
citizens on
on Grenada,
Grenada,
Lt Col James
Lt Col James L. Hobson Jr.
L. Hobson Jr . leads
leads a a flight
flight of
of MC-130
MC-130
Hercules aircraft to
Hercules aircraft to successfully
successfully complete
complete an an airborne
airborne
assault
assault on Point Salinas.
on Point Salinas. After
After dropping
dropping paratroopers
paratroopers at at the
the
exact planned
exact time over
planned time over target
target in
in aa hail
hail of
of 77.62
.62 mm
mm andand 23
23
mm
mm antiaircraft
antiaircraft fire,
fire, Colonel
Colonel Hobson
Hobson dives
dives the
the aircraft
aircraft toto
100
100 feet
feet (air
(air ground
ground level) and departs
level) and departs thethe area
area.. For
For his
his
actions
actions in assuming the
in assuming the assault lead from
assault lead from aa disabled
disabled
aircraft,
aircraft, Colonel
Colonel Hobson
Hobson receives the Mackay
receives the Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
27 October:: B-52
27 October B-52 Stratofortresses
Stratofortresses deploy
deploy to
to Spain
Spain for
for the
the
first time .
first time.
1-5
1-5 November
November:: Four C-141 Starlifters
Four C-141 Starlifters and
and six C-130
six C-130
Hercules transport 234
Hercules transport 234 tons
tons of
of tents,
tents, blankets,
blankets, stoves,
stoves, food,
food,
and
and clothing
clothing to
to the
the victims
victims of
of a
a 30
30 October
October earthquake
earthquake in
in
northeastern
northeastern Turkey.
Turkey.

103
103
23
23 November:
November: TheThe West
West German
German Parliament
Parliament approves
approves the
the
deployment
deployment of of USAF
USAF GLCMs
GLCMs and
and U.S.
U.S. Army
Army Pershing
Pershing IIII
ballistic
ballistic missiles
missiles in
in Germany.
Germany.
11 December
December:: The
The Air
Air Force
Force ceases
ceases training
training ofof Titan
Titan II
II
missile
missile crews.
crews. The
The first
first of
of the
the Titan
Titan IIII units
units to
to be
be inactivated
inactivated
sees
sees its
its demise
demise the
the next
next day.
day. SAC
SAC inactivates
inactivates the
the 571st
571st
Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, the the first
first ofof the
the Titan
Titan II
II units
units to
to
be
be inactivated,
inactivated, the
the next
next day.
day.
6
6 December:
December: The
The National
National Transonic
Transonic Tunnel,
Tunnel, aa wind
wind tunnel
tunnel
to
to test
test ultra-fast
ultra-fast aircraft,
aircraft, is
is dedicated
dedicated at
at Langley
Langley AFB.
AFB.
23
23 December
December:: The
The 390th
390th Electronic
Electronic Combat
Combat Squadron
Squadron
attains
attains initial
initial operational
operational capability
capability as
as the
the first
first EF-111A
EF-111A
Raven
Raven unit
unit..

11984
1144
11 January:
January: The
The Space
Space Command
Command assumes
assumes resource
resource manage-
manage-
ment
ment of
of the
the GPS.
GPS.
21
21 January:
January: While
While conducting
conducting the
the first
first free-flight
free-flight test
test of
of the
the
antisatellite
antisatellite missile
missile from
from an
an F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle carrier,
carrier, the
the missile
missile
deploys
deploys aa dummy
dummy miniature-vehicle
miniature-vehicle emulator.
emulator.
28
28 January:
January: The
The first
first F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon is
is accepted
accepted by
by
the
the AFRES
AFRES atat Hill
Hill AFB.
AFB.
31
31 January:
January: The
The AGM-81A
AGM-81A Firebolt
Firebolt target
target vehicle
vehicle sets
sets aa world
world
speed and altitude record during its seventh development test
speed and altitude record during its seventh development test
and
and evaluation
evaluation flight
flight:: Mach
Mach 4.1
4.1 and
and 103,000
103,000 feet.
feet.
33 February
February:: The
The first
first USAFE
USAFE EF-111A
EF-111A Raven
Raven electronic
electronic
combat
combat aircraft
aircraft arrives
arrives at
at the
the 20th
20th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing,
Wing,
RAF
RAF Upper
Upper Heyford,
Heyford, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom.
23
23 February
February:: The
The first
first F-15C
F-15C Eagle
Eagle is
is received
received by
by the
the TAC.
TAC.
The
The Eagle
Eagle replaces
replaces thethe F-4
F-4 Phantom
Phantom as as the
the USAF's
USAF's
air-superiority
air-superiority fighter.
fighter.
24
24 February
February:: MAC
MAC flies
flies two
two C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter missions
missions from
from
Larnaca,
Larnaca, Cyprus,
Cyprus, to
to Cherry
Cherry Point,
Point, North
North Carolina,
Carolina, to
to
support the withdrawal
support the withdrawal ofof U.S
U.S.. Marines
Marines from
from Lebanon,
Lebanon, as
as
part
part of
of the
the multinational
multinational peacekeeping
peacekeeping force.
force.

104
104
66 March:
March: AA B-52G
B-52G Stratofortress
Stratofortress from
from the
the 319th
319th Bom-
Bom-
bardment
bardment Wing
Wing conducts
conducts the
the first
first air-launched
air-launched cruise
cruise missile
missile
captive-carry mission over
captive-carry mission Canada's Northern
over Canada's Northern Test Range. In
Test Range. In
aa related
related development
development on
on the
the same day, the
same day, the federal
federal court
court of
of
Canada
Canada dismisses
dismisses a
a suit
suit seeking
seeking to
to end
end these
these tests.
tests.
19 March-9
19 March-9 April:
April: MAC
MAC flies
flies 28
28 C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy and
and 17
17 C-141
C-141
Starlifter missions and deploys an E-3A Sentry in support
Starlifter missions and deploys an E-3A Sentry in support
of
of Egypt
Egypt and
and Sudan
Sudan against
against threats
threats from
from Libya.
Libya.
66 April
April:: The
The first Learjet C-21A
first Learjet C-21A aircraft
aircraft is accepted by
is accepted by the
the
375th
375th Aeromedical
Aeromedical Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing on
on aa contractual
contractual basis.
basis. It
It is
is
the
the first of 80
first of 80 Learjet
Learjet aircraft
aircraft delivered
delivered to the Air
to the Air Force
Force asas
replacements
replacements forfor the
the aging
aging CT-39
CT-39 Sabreliner
Sabreliner aircraft
aircraft..
11 April: The
11 April: The 375th
375th Aeromedical
Aeromedical Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing accepts
accepts its
its first
first
contract Beech Aircraft Corporation C-12F. USAF will
contract Beech Aircraft Corporation C-12F. USAF will
procure
procure 40 40 new
new C-12Fs
C-12Fs to
to be
be used
used for
for operational
operational support
support
airlift.
airlift.
19
19 April
April:: Ground-breaking
Ground-breaking ceremonies
ceremonies are
are held
held at
at Site
Site III
III of
of
the
the phased
phased array,
array, sea-launched
sea-launched ballistic
ballistic missile
missile warning
warning
system,
system, Pave
Pave Paws,
Paws, at
at Robins
Robins AFB.
AFB.
16
16 May: MAC C-141
May: MAC C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters deliver
deliver 22
22 tons of medical
tons of medical
supplies to Afghan refugees at Peshawar, Pakistan .
supplies to Afghan refugees at Peshawar, Pakistan.
25
25 May:
May: AA MAC
MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter transports
transports the
the body
body of
of the
the
Unknown
Unknown Soldier of the
Soldier of the Vietnam
Vietnam War War for
for interment
interment at
at
Arlington
Arlington National
National Cemetery
Cemetery..
15
15 June:
June: AA MAC
MAC C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules flies
flies 4.5
4.5 tons
tons of
of pumps
pumps
and other equipment from Dyess AFB, Texas, to Kansas
and other equipment from Dyess AFB, Texas, to Kansas
City,
City, Missouri,
Missouri, to
to assist
assist flood-fighting
flood-fighting efforts
efforts in
in critical
critical
areas of northwest Missouri .
areas of northwest Missouri.
15
15 June
June:: The
The first
first Peacekeeper
Peacekeeper with
with aa Mark-21 test reentry
Mark-21 test reentry
vehicle
vehicle is
is flight-tested
flight-tested at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.
20
20 June
June:: After
After completion
completion ofof aa two-year
two-year operational
operational test
test and
and
evaluation
evaluation program,
program, Boeing
Boeing transfers
transfers the
the first
first KC-135R
KC-135R
Stratotanker aircraft to SAC's 384th Air Refueling Wing . The
Stratotanker aircraft to SAC's 384th Air Refueling Wing. The
KC-135R,
KC-135R, a a KC-135A
KC-135A modified
modified withwith CFM-56
CFM-56 engines,
engines,
off-loads more fuel and is cheaper to operate and is quieter
off-loads more fuel and is cheaper to operate and is quieter
than
than the
the KC-135A.
KC-135A.

10
1055
21
21 June:
June: A
A KC-10A
KC-10A Extender
Extender tanker
tanker from
from the
the 22d
22d Air
Air
Refueling
Refueling Wing,
Wing, March
March AFB,
AFB, California,
California, operates
operates for
for the
the first
first
time
time from
from Christchurch
Christchurch International
International Airport,
Airport, New
New Zealand,
Zealand,
providing
providing three
three air
air refuelings
refuelings to
to aa MAC C-141B Starlifter.
MAC C-141B Starlifter.
This Starlifter is responsible for midwinter air-drop
This Starlifter is responsible for midwinter air-drop
reprovisioning
reprovisioning of
of the
the U.S
U.S.. Antarctic
Antarctic bases
bases at
at the
the South
South Pole
Pole
and McMurdo Sound.
and McMurdo Sound.
30
30 June
June:: Hancock
Hancock Field,
Field, New
New York,
York, closes,
closes, ending
ending 32
32 years
years
of continuous operation.
of continuous operation.
July:: The
July The first
first Harpoon (AGM-84) antiship
Harpoon (AGM-84) antiship missile
missile is
is delivered
delivered
to
to the 69th Bombardment
the 69th Bombardment Squadron,
Squadron, 42d
42d Bombardment
Bombardment
Wing,
Wing, Loring
Loring AFB.
AFB.
31 July:: The
31 July The 570th
570th Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Squadron,
Squadron, Davis-
Davis-
Monthan AFB, is inactivated. Simultaneously, the 390th
Monthan AFB, is inactivated. Simultaneously, the 390th
Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFB,
AFB, becomes
becomes the
the first
first
Titan
Titan IIII wing
wing to
to be
be inactivated.
inactivated.
88 August:
August: The
The first
first USAFE
USAFE C-23
C-23 Sherpas
Sherpas enter
enter USAF
USAF
service in the European distribution system.
service in the European distribution system.
77 August-2
August-2 October:
October: MAC
MAC supports
supports the
the deployment
deployment of
of U.S
U.S..
minesweeping
minesweeping assets
assets to the Red
to the Red Sea
Sea in
in response
response to
to Egyptian
Egyptian
and
and Saudi
Saudi Arabian
Arabian concerns
concerns overover mysterious
mysterious underwater
underwater
explosions
explosions that
that damaged
damaged ships.
ships.
19-20
19-20 August:
August: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters from
from the Twenty-second Air
the Twenty-second Air
Force
Force evacuate 382 American
evacuate 382 military and
American military and civilian
civilian personnel
personnel
from
from Johnston
Johnston Island
Island in
in the
the face
face ofof Typhoon
Typhoon Kell
Kell.. The
The atoll
atoll is
is
located 715 miles from Hawaii. Storm winds in excess of 115
located 715 miles from Hawaii. Storm winds in excess of 115
mph
mph rip
rip over
over the
the island,
island, and
and waves
waves crest
crest to
to over
over 40
40 feet.
feet.
28
28 August:
August: A A C-5 Galaxy arrives
C-5 Galaxy at Florennes
arrives at Florennes AB,
AB, Belgium,
Belgium,
with
with the
the first
first shipment
shipment of
of support
support equipment
equipment for
for GLCMs.
GLCMs.
29
29 August:
August: The
The last USAFE OV-10
last USAFE OV-10 Broncos
Broncos depart
depart
Sembach AB, Germany, for George AFB after a decade of
Sembach AB, Germany, for George AFB after a decade of
operations
operations in
in Europe.
Europe.
2-3
2-3 September: Rescue units,
September: Rescue units, including
including the
the 38th
38th ARRS,
ARRS, log
log
148
148 saves
saves in
in Korea
Korea during
during flood
flood relief
relief operations.
operations.
44 September: The first
September: The first production
production Rockwell
Rockwell B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer
bomber rolls out at Air Force Plant 42 in
bomber rolls out at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale,
Palmdale, California
California..

106
106
19-21
19-21 September:
September: A A C-141
C-141 Starlifter flies to
Starlifter flies to Kinshasa,
Kinshasa,
Zaire,
Zaire, to
to support
support AIDS
AIDS research
research sponsored
sponsored byby the
the U.S.
U.S.
National
National Institute
Institute of
of Health.
Health.
11-14 October:: MAC
11-14 October MAC transports
transports U.S.
U.S. Secret Service vehicles
Secret Service vehicles
assigned
assigned to
to protect
protect Pope
Pope John
John Paul
Paul II
II during
during his
his visit
visit to
to San
San
Juan, Puerto Rico.
Juan, Puerto Rico.
18 October:: The
18 October The B-1B Lancer conducts
B-1B Lancer conducts its
its first
first flight
flight ahead
ahead of
of
schedule
schedule..
18-20
18-20 October:
October: The
The Air
Air Force
Force Rescue
Rescue Coordination
Coordination Center
Center
coordinates
coordinates search and rescue
search and rescue missions, resulting in
missions, resulting in 47
47
saves during conditions of heavy snow, low temperatures,
saves during conditions of heavy snow, low temperatures,
and
and high
high winds
winds in
in Colorado
Colorado and
and New
New Mexico.
Mexico.
23-24
23-24 October:
October: One
One H-3
H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green Giant helicopter
Green Giant helicopter from
from
the
the 31st
31st ARRS
ARRS and
and aa C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules transport
transport from
from the
the
374th
374th Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift Wing,
Wing, Thirteenth
Thirteenth AirAir Force,
Force, rescue
rescue
nine
nine persons
persons trapped
trapped byby fire
fire on
on the
the roof
roof of
of the
the Pines
Pines Hotel,
Hotel,
Baguio, Republic of the Philippines, and transport 48 people
Baguio, Republic of the Philippines, and transport 48 people
injured
injured to
to Clark
Clark AB
AB for
for treatment.
treatment. Victims
Victims were
were attending
attending
the 40th anniversary of Gen Douglas MacArthur's return
the 40th anniversary of Gen Douglas MacArthur's return toto
the
the Philippines
Philippines during
during World
World War
War II
II at
at Leyte.
Leyte.
25
25 October:
October: F-4E
F-4E Phantoms
Phantoms participate
participate in in USAFE's
USAFE's 86th
86th
Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing's
Wing's first
first joint, live-fire missile
joint, live-fire missile exercise
exercise with
with
the
the U.S.
U.S. Navy
Navy atat the
the Salto
Salto didi Quirra,
Quirra, offoff the
the east
east coast
coast of
of
Sardinia.
Sardinia.
22 November
November:: Fire
Fire erupts at McConnell
erupts at McConnell AFB after liquid
AFB after liquid fuel
fuel
is unloaded from a Titan II missile. The incident jeopardizes
is unloaded from a Titan II missile. The incident jeopardizes
the
the Titan
Titan 11
II deactivation
deactivation schedule
schedule..
19
19 November:
November: Two
Two MAC
MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters deliver
deliver six
six
motor
motor vehicles
vehicles and
and aa quantity
quantity ofof small
small arms
arms ammunition
ammunition
to
to the
the U.S
U.S.. Embassy
Embassy at at Bogota,
Bogota, Columbia, after drug
Columbia, after drug
dealers
dealers threaten
threaten the
the safety
safety of American personnel
of American personnel in
in that
that
country.
country.
20
20 November:
November: President
President Reagan
Reagan approves
approves formation
formation of
of aa
new
new unified
unified command,
command, the
the United
United States
States Space Command..
Space Command
11 December:
December: The
The C-5A
C-5A Galaxy
Galaxy enters
enters service
service with
with the
the
AFRES
AFRES at
at Kelly
Kelly AFB.
AFB.

10
1077
11-12
11-12 December:
December: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters fly
fly survivors
survivors and
and
two casualties of a Kuwaiti airlines aircraft hijacking to
two casualties of a Kuwaiti airlines aircraft hijacking to
Rhein-Main
Rhein-Main AB
AB and
and to
to the
the continental
continental United
United States
States..
20
20 December
December:: Two
Two C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft airlift 23.8 tons
airlift 23.8 tons of
of
emergency
emergency rescue
rescue equipment
equipment andand vehicles
vehicles toto expedite
expedite the
the
recovery
recovery of
of 27
27 coal
coal miners
miners trapped
trapped more
more than
than aa mile
mile beneath
beneath
the
the earth's
earth's surface
surface near
near Huntington,
Huntington, Utah.
Utah. These
These four-
four-
wheel-drive
wheel-drive vehicles
vehicles enabled
enabled rescuers
rescuers to
to reach the disaster
reach the disaster site
site
and recover the remains of the deceased miners, who had
and recover the remains of the deceased miners, who had
succumbed
succumbed toto carbon
carbon monoxide
monoxide poisoning
poisoning or
or smoke
smoke inhalation
inhalation..
22
22 December-8
December-8 MarchMarch 1985
1985:: Eight
Eight C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters carry
carry
over
over 212
212 tons
tons ofof food,
food, tents,
tents, water
water tanks,
tanks, and
and medical
medical
supplies
supplies from
from Italy
Italy to
to Kassala,
Kassala, Sudan.
Sudan. This
This American
American relief
relief
effort
effort is
is in
in response
response to to the
the needs
needs of 100,000 Ethiopian
of 100,000 Ethiopian
refugees fleeing from famine in Niger and Mali in the
refugees fleeing from famine in Niger and Mali in the Sahel
Sahel
region
region of
of Africa
Africa..

11985
J1;
January:
January: Headquarters
Headquarters SAC SAC and
and Ogden
Ogden Air
Air Logistics
Logistics Center
Center
determine that the 2 November 1984 fire at Launch
determine that the 2 November 1984 fire at Launch
Complex
Complex 532-7,
532-7, 381st
381st Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, McConnell
McConnell
AFB,
AFB, was
was caused
caused by by aa leakage
leakage preventable
preventable by by procedural
procedural
changes.
changes. This
This finding
finding enables
enables Titan
Titan IIII deactivation
deactivation to
to
proceed
proceed according
according to
to schedule
schedule..
11 January:
January: Lt Lt Col
Col David
David E.
E. Faught,
Faught, a a 97th
97th Bombardment
Bombardment
Wing instructor pilot, prevents the loss of
Wing instructor pilot, prevents the loss of a
a KC-135
KC-135
Stratotanker
Stratotanker and and saves
saves the
the lives
lives of
of seven
seven fellow
fellow crewmen.
crewmen.
The
The aircraft's
aircraft's nose
nose gear
gear refuses
refuses to to extend,
extend, andand after
after 13
13
hours in the air attempting to fix the problem, Colonel
hours in the air attempting to fix the problem, Colonel
Faught
Faught lands
lands the aircraft with
the aircraft with only minor equipment
only minor equipment
damage
damage andand no no personal
personal injuries
injuries.. He
He receives
receives the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy for his actions.
Trophy for his actions.
44 January
January:: Maj Patricia M.
Maj Patricia M. Young becomes the
Young becomes the first
first woman
woman
commander
commander of of an
an Air
Air Force
Force Space
Space Command
Command unit- unit—
Detachment 1, 20th Missile Warning Squadron .
Detachment 1, 20th Missile Warning Squadron.
55 January:
January: A
A MAC
MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter transports
transports a a Sikorsky
Sikorsky
S-70 helicopter to La Paz, Bolivia, to assist in the search for
S-70 helicopter to La Paz, Bolivia, to assist in the search for

108
108
an
an Eastern
Eastern Airlines
Airlines Boeing
Boeing 727
727 that
that crashed
crashed high
high in
in the
the
Andes
Andes Mountains.
Mountains.
18-23 January:: MAC
18-23 January MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters move
move 6262 tons
tons of
of
cargo
cargo directly
directly to
to the
the Sudan,
Sudan, relieving
relieving the
the plight
plight of
of Ethiopian
Ethiopian
refugees.
refugees.
19-21 January:: Two
19-21 January Two C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies and
and one
one C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter
from
from the 75th and
the 75th and 312th
312th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Squadrons
Squadrons
transport 186 tons of supplies consisting of 2,400 tents,
transport 186 tons of supplies consisting of 2,400 tents,
tarpaulins,
tarpaulins, plastic
plastic sheeting,
sheeting, and
and water
water trailers
trailers to
to Viti
Viti Levu
Levu
Island,
Island, Fiji,
Fiji, to
to supply
supply relief
relief for
for victims
victims of
of Typhoon
Typhoon Eric
Eric.. The
The
typhoon
typhoon devastated
devastated Viti Viti Levu,
Levu, leaving
leaving 3,000
3,000 people
people
homeless
homeless..
28 January:: Two
28 January Two H-3
H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant
Giant helicopters
helicopters rescue
rescue
ten
ten shipwrecked
shipwrecked Korean
Korean fishermen.
fishermen. The
The survivors
survivors are
are
airlifted
airlifted to
to Kunsan
Kunsan AB
AB for
for medical
medical treatment.
treatment.
February:: MAC
33 February MAC C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters transport
transport 500
500 tents
tents
from
from Howard
Howard AB,
AB, Panama,
Panama, to
to central
central Argentina
Argentina after
after an
an
earthquake destroys the homes of nearly 12,000 people.
earthquake destroys the homes of nearly 12,000 people.

löSfefc
An Air Force helicopter hoists a crew member off a wrecked boat near
Okinawa. Throughout its life, the Air Force has played a major role in rescue
missions for military people and civilians.

109
4
4 February
February:: SAC
SAC authorizes
authorizes the
the creation
creation of
of gender-specific
gender-specific
(all-male
(all-male or
or all-female)
all-female) missile
missile launch
launch crews
crews for
for Minuteman
Minuteman
and
and Peacekeeper.
Peacekeeper. Previously,
Previously, women
women served
served only
only with
with the
the
Titan
Titan 11
II weapon
weapon system,
system, whose
whose large
large launch-control
launch-control facility
facility
ensured
ensured personal
personal privacy.
privacy.
5-9
5-9 March:
March: Airlift
Airlift crews
crews fly
fly 123
123 tons
tons of
of food
food and
and medicine
medicine as
as
part of four famine-relief missions to Sudan, Niger, and Mali.
part of four famine-relief missions to Sudan, Niger, and Mali.
88 March:
March: MAC
MAC helicopters
helicopters assist
assist Bahamian
Bahamian police
police and
and U.S
U.S..
Drug Enforcement Agency officials in confiscating 1,800
Drug Enforcement Agency officials in confiscating 1,800
pounds
pounds of
of cocaine
cocaine worth
worth $320
$320 million.
million.
15
15 March
March:: A
A MAC
MAC C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy delivers
delivers over
over 1,000
1,000 rolls
rolls of
of
plastic
plastic sheeting
sheeting used
used toto create
create protective
protective shelters
shelters for
for victims
victims
of
of an
an earthquake
earthquake that
that ravaged
ravaged coastal
coastal and
and interior
interior regions
regions
of
of central
central Chile
Chile on
on 33 February
February 1985
1985..
25
25 March:
March: The
The Secretary
Secretary of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force announces
announces changes
changes in
in
the
the combat-exclusion
combat-exclusion policy
policy for
for women.
women. Henceforth,
Henceforth, women
women
can
can serve
serve as
as forward
forward air
air controllers,
controllers, fly
fly and
and crew
crew various
various
models
models of of the
the C-130
C-130 Hercules,
Hercules, and
and work in munitions
work in munitions storage
storage
facilities
facilities..
55 April
April:: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters and
and one
one C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft
from
from MAC
MAC transport
transport 10.910.9 tons
tons of
of fire-fighting
fire-fighting equipment,
equipment,
21,000
21,000 gallons
gallons of
of fire
fire retardant,
retardant, and 190 fire
and 190 fire fighters
fighters to
to fight
fight aa
blaze
blaze covering
covering over 7,000 acres
over 7,000 acres in
in the
the mountains
mountains of of western
western
North
North Carolina
Carolina.. Strong
Strong winds
winds andand drought
drought conditions
conditions
accelerate
accelerate the
the fire
fire to
to cover
cover more
more than
than six
six counties
counties of
of the
the state.
state.
5-20
5-20 April:
April: MAC
MAC provides
provides helicopter
helicopter support
support for
for Operation
Operation
Bahamas and Turks, a joint United States-Commonwealth
Bahamas and Turks, a joint United States-Commonwealth
of
of the
the Bahamas
Bahamas operation
operation to
to intercept
intercept drugs
drugs destined
destined for
for
the
the United
United States.
States.
20
20 April:
April: B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
Stratofortress crews
crews complete
complete initial
initial training
training
for Harpoon antiship missile operations.
for Harpoon antiship missile operations.
29
29 April-17 May: USAFE
April-17 May: USAFE units
units assigned
assigned atat Spangdahlem
Spangdahlem AB AB
participate in Salty Demo, the first integrated basewide
participate in Salty Demo, the first integrated basewide
effort
effort to
to measure
measure all
all facets
facets of
of an
an air
air base's
base's ability
ability to
to survive
survive
attacks
attacks and
and generate
generate postattack
postattack sorties.
sorties.
21
21 June-25
June-25 July
July:: Three
Three C-123K
C-123K Provider
Provider aerial-spray-
aerial-spray-
capable transports respond to the grasshopper infestation
capable transports respond to the grasshopper infestation of
of

110
110
public
public lands
lands inin southern
southern Idaho
Idaho.. By
By spraying
spraying more
more than
than
735,000
735,000 acres
acres in 73 sorties,
in 73 sorties, the
the aircraft
aircraft prevent
prevent locust
locust
damage
damage to
to private
private croplands.
croplands.
29
29 June
June:: The
The 60th
60th Bombardment
Bombardment Squadron,
Squadron, 43d
43d Strategic
Strategic
Wing, from Andersen AFB becomes the second B-52G
Wing, from Andersen AFB becomes the second B-52G
Stratofortress
Stratofortress squadron
squadron to to be
be equipped
equipped with
with the
the Harpoon
Harpoon
antiship missile. This event marks the attainment of
antiship missile. This event marks the attainment of full
full
operational
operational capability
capability for
for the
the weapon
weapon system.
system.
30
30 June
June:: AFSC
AFSC conducts
conducts the
the final
final Peacekeeper test launch
Peacekeeper test launch
from
from the
the above-ground
above-ground launch
launch pad
pad at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB
AFB..
11 July:
July: The
The 7th
7th Bombardment
Bombardment Wing,
Wing, Carswell
Carswell AFB,
AFB,
becomes the first unit to receive air-launched cruise
becomes the first unit to receive air-launched cruise
missiles
missiles modified
modified for
for use
use on
on B-52H
B-52H Stratoforxess
Stratofortress bombers
bombers..
11 July
July:: A
A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter from
from the 438th Military
the 438th Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing
transports
transports 39 39 passengers
passengers released
released from
from Trans
Trans World
World Airlines
Airlines
flight 847, which
flight 847, which was
was hijacked
hijacked onon 30
30 June
June by by two
two Shiite
Shiite
Moslems
Moslems.. Upon
Upon arrival at Rhein-Main
arrival at Rhein-Main ABAB from
from Damascus,
Damascus, the the
survivors
survivors are
are greeted
greeted by
by Vice
Vice President
President George
George Bush
Bush..
2-10 July:: C-141
2-10 July C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters transport
transport 285
285 fire
fire fighters
fighters and
and 460
460
tons
tons of
of flame
flame retardant
retardant toto help
help suppress
suppress forest
forest fires
fires in
in Idaho
Idaho
and California . C-130 Hercules aircraft fly 200 sorties,
and California. C-130 Hercules aircraft fly 200 sorties,
dropping
dropping fire
fire retardant
retardant over
over an
an area
area exceeding
exceeding 11.5.5 million
million
acres.
acres.
7
7 July:
July: The
The first
first operational
operational B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer is
is accepted
accepted by
by
SAC and the 96th Bombardment Wing at Dyess AFB.
SAC and the 96th Bombardment Wing at Dyess AFB.
15 July
15 July:: Two
Two 42d
42d Bombardment
Bombardment Wing
Wing B-52
B-52 Stratofortresses
Stratofortresses
simulate
simulate Harpoon
Harpoon launches
launches as
as part
part of
of United
United States
States Atlantic
Atlantic
Command's exercise Readex '85-2. This event marks the first
Command's exercise Readex '85-2. This event marks the first
full
full operational test and
operational test and evaluation
evaluation of
of the Harpoon antiship
the Harpoon antiship
missile.
missile.
30
30 July:
July: The
The U .S . Air
U.S. Air Force
Force Bomarc
Bomarc (CQM-10B)
(CQM-10B) aerial
aerial
Target
Target Drone
Drone Program ends.
Program ends.
12-15
12-15 August:
August: AA C-5A Galaxy from
C-5A Galaxy from the
the 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Wing
Wing responds
responds toto aa State
State Department
Department request
request to
to assist
assist over
over
22 million
million flood
flood and
and famine
famine victims
victims in
in Western Sudan and
Western Sudan and
deliver 35 tons
deliver 35 tons of
of equipment,
equipment, including
including three
three helicopters.
helicopters.

11
Ill1
23
23 August:
August: AFSC
AFSC successfully
successfully conducts
conducts America's
America's firstfirst
land-based
land-based "cold
"cold launch"
launch" from
from anan underground
underground silo, silo, aa
modified Minuteman launch facility at Vandenberg AFB.
modified Minuteman launch facility at Vandenberg AFB.
The
The cold-launch
cold-launch technique
technique ejects
ejects the
the missile
missile from
from the the silo
silo
by
by gas
gas pressure,
pressure, and
and the
the propellant
propellant ignites
ignites after it becomes
after it becomes
airborne
airborne.. As
As aa result,
result, only
only minimal
minimal damage
damage to to the
the silo
silo
results,
results, greatly
greatly reducing
reducing the
the refurbishing
refurbishing time
time needed
needed for for
another launch.
another launch.
13
13 September:
September: TheThe first
first antisatellite
antisatellite intercept
intercept test
test takes
takes
place when an air-launched antisatellite weapon success-
place when an air-launched antisatellite weapon success-
fully
fully destroys
destroys aa resident
resident space
space object,
object, the
the Solwing
Solwing scientific
scientific
satellite.
satellite.
21-30
21-30 September:
September: Airlift
Airlift units
units fly
fly 375
375 tons
tons of
of cargo
cargo to
to
Mexico
Mexico City
City following
following massive
massive earthquakes.
earthquakes.
11-12
11-12 October:
October: A A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of the
the 438th
438th Military
Military
Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing flies
flies the
the 11
11 released
released American
American survivors
survivors from
from
the
the hijacked
hijacked Italian
Italian cruise
cruise ship
ship Achille
Achille Lauro
Lawo from
from Cairo,
Cairo,
Egypt,
Egypt, toto Newark,
Newark, NewNew Jersey.
Jersey.
15
15 October:
October: The
The first
first flight
flight of
of the
the T-46A
T-46A Next
Next Generation
Generation
Trainer
Trainer occurs
occurs at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
16
16 October:
October: Two
Two H-3
H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant
Giant helicopters,
helicopters,
supported
supported by by two
two refueling-capable
refueling-capable HC-130
HC-130 Hercules
Hercules
aircraft, rescue 33 shipwrecked survivors of the Philippine
aircraft, rescue 33 shipwrecked survivors of the Philippine
ship
ship Marcos
Marcos Faberes.
Faberes.
11 November: The Dutch
November: The Dutch approve
approve deployment
deployment of
of USAFE
USAFE
LLCMs
GLCMs at
at Woensdrecht,
Woensdrecht, the
the Netherlands.
Netherlands.
44 November
November:: Air
Air Force
Force Rescue
Rescue Coordination
Coordination Center
Center coordi-
coordi-
nates missions that save 47 lives during flood-relief operations
nates missions that save 47 lives during flood-relief operations
in
in the
the Shenandoah
Shenandoah Valley,
Valley, Virginia.
Virginia.
15-18
15-18 November:
November: USAF
USAF airlifts
airlifts 50
50 tons
tons of
of relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to
Colombia
Colombia after
after aa volcano
volcano erupts.
erupts.
66 December
December:: SAC
SAC completes
completes equipping
equipping its first fully
its first fully
operational KC-10 Extender squadron with 19 aircraft at
operational KC-10 Extender squadron with 19 aircraft at
Barksdale
Barksdale AFB,
AFB, Louisiana.
Louisiana.
12
12 December
December:: MAC
MAC C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules and
and C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters
perform
perform 26
26 airlift
airlift missions
missions to
to transport
transport the
the remains
remains of of

112
112
paratroopers
paratroopers of
of the
the 101st
101st Airborne
Airborne Division
Division killed
killed in
in an
an
early morning crash of an Arrow Air DC-8 at Gander,
early morning crash of an Arrow Air DC-8 at Gander,
Newfoundland.
Newfoundland.
18 December: The
18 December: The Western
Western Pacific
Pacific Rescue
Rescue Coordination
Coordination Center
Center
coordinates
coordinates a
a mission
mission that
that rescues
rescues 78
78 people
people from
from the
the sinking
sinking
ship, Asuncion Cinco, near lubang, Republic of the Philippines.
ship, Asuncion Ctnco, near Lubang, Republic of the Philippines.

19116
1986
January:: MAC
88 January MAC accepts
accepts delivery
delivery of
of its
its first
first C-5B
C-5B Galaxy
Galaxy at
at
Altus
Altus AFB,
AFB, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma.
January:: The
88 January The first
first overseas
overseas meteorological
meteorological data
data system
system
circuit
circuit is
is accepted at Eielson
accepted at Eielson AFB,
AFB, Alaska.
Alaska. This
This event
event marks
marks
the
the initial
initial milestone
milestone in
in the
the replacement
replacement of
of obsolete
obsolete weather
weather
teletype
teletype systems
systems with
with more
more modern
modern equipment
equipment inin Alaska,
Alaska,
Europe,
Europe, andand the
the Pacific.
Pacific.
28 January:: The
28 January The space
space shuttle Challenger and
shuttle Challenger and its
its seven-
seven-
person
person crew
crew are
are lost
lost in
in an
an explosion
explosion shortly
shortly after
after lift-off
lift-off
from
from John
John F.F. Kennedy
Kennedy Space
Space Center.
Center. NASA
NASA suspends
suspends thethe
U .S .-manned space program until the cause can be
U.S.-manned space program until the cause can be
identified
identified and
and corrected.
corrected.
18-22 February:: The
18-22 February The 129th
129th Aerospace
Aerospace Rescue
Rescue and
and Recovery
Recovery
Group
Group and
and the
the 41st
41st ARRS
ARRS employ
employ four
four H-3
H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green
Giant helicopters, two HH-53 helicopters, and three C-130
Giant helicopters, two HH-53 helicopters, and three C-130
Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft to
to assist
assist flood
flood victims
victims of
of the
the Russian
Russian River
River
and Yuba River valleys of northern California . The airmen
and Yuba River valleys of northern California. The airmen
rescue
rescue 33
33 flood
flood victims
victims and
and supply
supply over
over 3,000
3,000 sandbags
sandbags toto
Army troops responding to the disaster site .
Army troops responding to the disaster site.
25-26 February:: Following
25-26 February Following aa disputed
disputed election
election in
in the
the
Republic
Republic ofof the
the Philippines,
Philippines, the
the 31st
31st ARRS
ARRS flies
flies five
five H-3
H-3
Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant
Giant helicopters
helicopters to
to the
the presidential
presidential palace
palace in
in
Manila and evacuates President Ferdinand Marcos and 51
Manila and evacuates President Ferdinand Marcos and 51
other
other persons
persons from
from the
the palace
palace to
to Clark AB. Subsequently,
Clark AB. Subsequently,
U.S. aircraft fly Marcos and his family to Andersen AFB
U.S. aircraft fly Marcos and his family to Andersen AFB and
and
then to Hickarn
then to Hickam AFB.
AFB.
March: TAC's
33 March: TAC's first
first OT-38
OT-38 Talon replaces the
Talon replaces the Cessna
Cessna O-2
0-2
aircraft at
aircraft at Shaw AFB, South
Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
Carolina.

11
1133
4
4 March:
March: USAF
USAF approves
approves SAC's
SAC's concept
concept for
for refueling
refueling foreign
foreign
aircraft
aircraft participating
participating in
in joint
joint exercises.
exercises. Under
Under this
this policy,
policy, SAC
SAC
tankers refuel the
tankers refuel the first
first foreign
foreign aircraft,
aircraft, an
an Egyptian
Egyptian model,
model,
during
during Exercise
Exercise Bright
Bright Star,
Star, a
a joint
joint U.S.-Egyptian
U.S.-Egyptian operation.
operation.
55 March:
March: Responding
Responding to
to the
the McCollum
McCollum Amendment
Amendment ofof 1986
1986
authorizing
authorizing humanitarian
humanitarian aid
aid to
to refugees,
refugees, USAF
USAF begins
begins
airlifting Afghan patients and refugees from Pakistan to
airlifting Afghan patients and refugees from Pakistan to the
the
United
United States
States..
55 March:
March: Capt
Capt Marc
Marc C C.. Felman
Felman andand his
his KC-10
KC-10 Extender
Extender
crew
crew perform
perform an
an emergency
emergency refueling
refueling in
in mid-Atlantic
mid-Atlantic of
of
Marine
Marine A-4M
A-4M aircraft
aircraft during
during aa Coronet
Coronet East
East deployment,
deployment, an
an
action
action for
for which
which they
they will
will receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for the
the
most
most meritorious
meritorious flight
flight of
of 1986
1986..
25
25 March:
March: For
For the
the first
first time,
time, an
an all-woman
all-woman crew,
crew, assigned
assigned to
to
the
the 351st
351st Strategic
Strategic Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, Whiteman
Whiteman AFB,
AFB, Missouri,
Missouri,
stands
stands Minuteman
Minuteman missile
missile alert.
alert.
5-6
5-6 April:
April: Four
Four C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters and
and one
one H-3H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green
Giant helicopter of the 63d Military Airlift Wing transport
Giant helicopter of the 63d Military Airlift Wing transport
large
large amounts
amounts of of fire-suppressant
fire-suppressant foam
foam andand airlifts
airlifts burn
burn
victims
victims from
from Osan
Osan AB AB after
after the
the explosion
explosion ofof aa 700,000-
700,000-
gallon
gallon tank
tank of
of jet
jet fuel.
fuel. Burn
Burn victims
victims are
are helicoptered
helicoptered from
from
Osan
Osan toto Seoul
Seoul for medical treatment.
for medical treatment.
14-15
14-15 April
April:: The
The U.S
U.S.. forces
forces launch
launch Operation
Operation Eldorado
Eldorado
Canyon, a retaliatory bombing raid in response to terrorist
Canyon, a retaliatory bombing raid in response to terrorist
activities
activities supported
supported byby Libyan
Libyan leader
leader Muammar
Muammar Qadhafi.
Qadhafi.
Twenty-eight KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers
Twenty-eight KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers
depart
depart the
the RAF
RAF bases
bases at
at Fairford
Fairford and
and Mildenhall,
Mildenhall, England,
England,
followed
followed shortly
shortly by
by 24
24 F-111
F-l 11 Ravens
Ravens from
from the British base
the British base
at Lakenheath, England. As the F-111 strike force is
at Lakenheath, England. As the F-l 11 strike force is
bombing
bombing its its Libyan
Libyan targets, KC-10s refuel
targets, KC-10s refuel it
it six times, in
six times, in
complete radio silence, before returning to England.
complete radio silence, before returning to England.
15
15 April:
April: One
One of
of five
five rocket bombs launched
rocket bombs launched from
from an
an oilbase
off-base
location
location lands
lands inside
inside the
the perimeter
perimeter of
of Yokota
Yokota AB. It causes
AB. It causes
minor
minor property
property damage
damage butbut does
does notnot injure
injure any
any base
base
personnel.
personnel.
18
18 April:
April: A
A Titan
Titan 34D
34D space
space booster
booster explodes
explodes shortly
shortly after
after
lift-off
lift-off from
from Space Launch Complex
Space Launch Complex Four
Four at
at Vandenberg
Vandenberg

114
114
AFB.
AFB. The
The launch
launch complex
complex is closed for
is closed for repairs
repairs until
until 15
15
August.
August.
28 April-7 May:
28 April-7 May: Air
Air Weather Service units
Weather Service units support
support the
the
efforts of the United States to track the movement of
efforts of the United States to track the movement of
radioactive contamination from
radioactive contamination from the
the Chernobyl
Chernobyl reactor
reactor
accident in the USSR. The service provides
accident in the USSR. The service provides extensive
extensive data
data
and
and modeling,
modeling, as
as well as air-sampling
well as air-sampling missions
missions by
by WC-130
WC-130
Hercules aircraft .
Hercules aircraft.
19
19 June
June:: All
All USAF Rapier surface-to-air
USAF Rapier surface-to-air missile
missile units
units in
in
Europe become operationally ready.
Europe become operationally ready.
19-28
19-28 July
July:: Twenty-four C-141 Starlifters
Twenty-four C-141 Starlifters and
and eight
eight C-130
C-130
Hercules aircraft fly 32 missions during Operation Southern
Hercules aircraft fly 32 missions during Operation Southern
Haylift,
Haylift, supplying
supplying 535.9
535.9 tons
tons of
of donated
donated hay hay (more
(more than
than
19,000 bales) to drought-stricken
19,000 bales) to drought-stricken farmers
farmers in
in seven
seven
southeastern states.. The
southeastern states The operation
operation helps
helps save hundreds of
save hundreds of
cattle
cattle and
and with
with them
them the
the livelihoods
livelihoods of great many
of aa great many southern
southern
livestock
livestock farmers.
farmers.
27 July: A
27 July: A C-9
C-9 Nightingale
Nightingale flies Father Lawrence
flies Father Lawrence Jenco,
Jenco,
who
who was
was released
released as
as aa hostage
hostage by by Muslim
Muslim extremists
extremists in
in
Lebanon,
Lebanon, from
from Damascus
Damascus to to USAFE Medical Center
USAFE Medical Center at
at
Rhein-Main
Rhein-Main AB.
AB.
27-29
27-29 August:
August: A A C-130 Hercules from
C-130 Hercules from the
the 50th
50th Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift
Squadron
Squadron airlifts 250 tents
airlifts 250 tents to
to villagers
villagers of
of northwestern
northwestern
Cameroon,
Cameroon, West
West Africa,
Africa, when
when aa cloud of carbon
cloud of carbon dioxide
dioxide
bubbles up from the depths of Lake Nyos . Over 2,000
bubbles up from the depths of Lake Nyos. Over 2,000
inhabitants of this
inhabitants of this volcanic
volcanic region
region seek
seek refuge at villages
refuge at villages
located away from the lake .
located away from the lake.
11 September:
September : The
The last
last Cessna
Cessna O-2 aircraft of
0-2 aircraft of the
the TAC
TAC is
is
sent to storage at Davis-Monthan AFB.
sent to storage at Davis-Monthan AFB.
55 September:
September: A USAFE C-141
A USAFE C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter flies
flies Americans
Americans
injured in a hijacking attempt at Karachi Airport, Pakistan,
injured in a hijacking attempt at Karachi Airport, Pakistan,
to
to Frankfurt,
Frankfurt, Germany, for medical
Germany, for medical attention
attention atat U.S
U.S..
military hospitals.
military hospitals.
18-20
18-20 September:
September: Two C-5 Galaxies
Two C-5 Galaxies of
of the
the 436th
436th Military
Military
Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing transport 93 tons
transport 93 tons of
of medical supplies and
medical supplies and food
food to
to
Luzon,
Luzon, Republic
Republic of
of the Philippines, under
the Philippines, under the
the terms
terms of
of the
the
Denton Amendment to
Denton Amendment to the
the Foreign Assistance Act
Foreign Assistance Act of
of 1985.
1985.

11
1155
While
While in
in the
the United
United States,
States, President
President Aquino
Aquino personally
personally
accepts the gifts of medicine and food .
accepts the gifts of medicine and food.
11-16
11-16 October:
October: USAF
USAF airlifts
airlifts medicine
medicine and and other
other relief
relief
supplies
supplies to
to El
El Salvador's
Salvador's capital
capital city
city after
after a
a devastating
devastating
earthquake
earthquake destroys
destroys 96
96 percent
percent of
of its
its structures
structures..
77 December
December:: A A WC-130
WC-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft transports
transports seven
seven
tons
tons of
of food,
food, clothing,
clothing, candles,
candles, andand other
other emergency
emergency
supplies
supplies toto Saipan,
Saipan, Mariana
Mariana Islands,
Islands, after
after Typhoon
Typhoon Kim
Kim
devastates
devastates the
the island
island.. The
The 54th
54th Weather
Weather Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Squadron
Squadron piggybacked
piggybacked their
their traditional
traditional Christmas
Christmas "gift
"gift
drop"
drop" for
for Saipan's
Saipan's children
children with
with the
the relief
relief supplies.
supplies.
10
10 December
December:: A A HC-130
HC-130 Hercules,
Hercules, along
along with
with aa UH-60
UH-60 Black
Black
Hawk,
Hawk, a a CH-3
CH-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant,
Giant, and
and anan MH-53
MH-53 helicopter,
helicopter,
rescue
rescue 1919 survivors
survivors aboard
aboard the
the Norwegian
Norwegian ship
ship Geco
Geco Alpha,
Alpha, aa
300-foot
300-foot seismograph
seismograph research
research vessel
vessel that
that has
has caught
caught fire
fire
about
about 30
30 miles
miles from Destin, Florida.
from Destin, Florida. Survivors
Survivors are
are transported
transported
to
to Eglin
Eglin AFB
AFB for
for medical
medical evaluation
evaluation and
and treatment.
treatment.
18-20
18-20 December:
December: TwoTwo H-3
H-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green Giant
Giant helicopters
helicopters
from the 31st ARKS rescue 13 survivors of the Philippine
from the 31st ARRS rescue 13 survivors of the Philippine
inter-island
inter-island ship,
ship, the Asuncion Cinco,
the Asuncion Cinco, from
from the
the South
South China
China
Sea,
Sea, about
about 95
95 miles
miles southwest
southwest ofof Manila.
Manila. Those
Those rescued
rescued
receive
receive medical
medical treatment
treatment at
at Cubi
Cubi Point
Point AS,
AS, Republic
Republic of of the
the
Philippines, for medical treatment.
Philippines, for medical treatment.
22
22 December
December:: The
The Peacekeeper
Peacekeeper ICBMs
ICBMs deployed
deployed in
in modified
modified
Minuteman
Minuteman silos
silos achieve
achieve initial
initial operational
operational capability
capability when
when
the
the tenth
tenth Peacekeeper
Peacekeeper is
is placed
placed onon alert
alert at
at Warren
Warren AFB.
AFB.

116
116
 191;
1087
16
16 January:
January: A
A B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer from
from Edwards
Edwards AFB
AFB launches
launches the
the
first
first short-range
short-range attack
attack missile
missile from
from a
a B-1B
B-1B bomber
bomber over
over
the
the Tonopah
Tonopah Test
Test Range,
Range, Nevada
Nevada..
13-15
13-15 February
February:: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters and
and two
two C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules
cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft move
move 6464 tons
tons ofof tents
tents and
and plastic
plastic sheeting
sheeting to
to
Vanuatu,
Vanuatu, New
New Hebrides,
Hebrides, after
after Typhoon
Typhoon UmaUma strikes
strikes its
its central
central
islands.
islands. In
In addition,
addition, U.S.
U.S. humanitarian
humanitarian aircraft
aircraft search
search the
the area
area
around Vanuata for shipwrecked survivors.
around Vanuata for shipwrecked survivors.
16
16 February:
February: The
The Joint
Joint Military
Military Medical
Medical Command
Command activates
activates at
at
San
San Antonio,
Antonio, Texas,
Texas, and
and is
is staffed
staffed by
by both
both Air
Air Force
Force and
and Army
Army
personnel.
personnel.
55 May:
May: SAC
SAC removes
removes the
the last
last active
active Titan
Titan II
II missile
missile from
from alert
alert
duty
duty at
at Little
Little Rock
Rock AFB,
AFB, Arkansas,
Arkansas, ending
ending the
the operational
operational life
life
of
of the
the nation's
nation's largest
largest ICBM
ICBM..
66 May
May:: The
The 43d
43d Electronics
Electronics Combat
Combat Squadron,
Squadron, 66th
66th
Elec-tronic
Elec-tronic Combat
Combat Wing,
Wing, from
from Sembach
Sembach AB AB takes
takes possession
possession
of
of its
its first
first EC-130H
EC-130H Compass
Compass Call
Call aircraft.
aircraft.
44 July-17
July-17 September:
September: Detachment
Detachment 15 15 of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force Plant
Plant
Representative Office and the B-1B Special Project Office
Representative Office and the B-1B Special Project Office
establish
establish world
world and national speed,
and national speed, distance,
distance, and
and payload
payload
records
records inin B-1B
B-1B aircraft
aircraft.. They
They will
will receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay
Trophy
Trophy for
for their
their achievements.
achievements.
17
17 July
July:: Air
Air Force
Force Logistics
Logistics Command
Command (AFLC)
(AFLC) rolls
rolls out
out the
the
first
first enhanced
enhanced MH-53J
MH-53J helicopter
helicopter equipped
equipped with
with Pave
Pave Low
Low
III,
III, aa night
night and
and adverse
adverse weather
weather navigational.
navigational system,
system, atat
Pensacola Naval AS, Florida.
Pensacola Naval AS, Florida.
22
22 July-21
July-21 December
December:: The
The Air
Air Force
Force provides
provides tanker
tanker support
support
to
to Navy
Navy fighter
fighter aircraft
aircraft during
during Operation
Operation Earnest
Earnest Will
Will over
over
the
the Persian
Persian Gulf.
Gulf. The
The naval
naval aircraft
aircraft protect
protect Kuwaiti
Kuwaiti convoys
convoys
from
from Iranian
Iranian attack
attack during
during the
the war
war between
between Iran
Iran and
and Iraq.
Iraq.
31
31 August-9
August-9 September:
September: Eight
Eight C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules and and aa large
large
number
number of
of C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters fly
fly 2,511
2,511 tons
tons ofof fire
fire retardant
retardant
and
and aa contingent
contingent of
of fire
fire fighters
fighters toto the
the coastal
coastal areas
areas of
of
Oregon and California to combat forest fires blazing across
Oregon and California to combat forest fires blazing across
970
970 square
square miles
miles of
of forest,
forest, brush,
brush, and
and scrub
scrub land
land..

118
118
24
24 September:
September: The
The first-ever
first-ever Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds show
show in
in Beijing,
Beijing,
China, attracts an audience in excess of 20,000.
China, attracts an audience in excess of 20,000.
11 October
October:: PACAF retires its
PACAF retires last seven
its last T-33 two-seater
seven T-33 two-seater
training
training aircraft
aircraft at
at Hickam
Hickam AFBAFB and
and the
the same
same number
number at
at
Clark AB ending 32 years of T-Bird operations in the
Clark AB ending 32 years of T-Bird operations in the
command.
command.
November-December:
November-December: MAC MAC transports
transports federal
federal marshals
marshals and
and
sharpshooters
sharpshooters to to suppress
suppress Cuban
Cuban detainee
detainee rioting
rioting at
at several
several
U.S . federal correction centers.
U.S. federal correction centers.
24
24 November
November:: A A B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer bomber
bomber records
records the
the first
first
success
success of
of an
an air-launched
air-launched cruise
cruise missile.
missile.
55 December
December:: Six
Six C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft of the 374th
of the 374th
Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing move
move more
more thanthan 3434 tons
tons ofof relief
relief
supplies, including clothing and rice, to victims of Typhoon
supplies, including clothing and rice, to victims of Typhoon
Nina
Nina on
on the
the island
island of
of Luzon,
Luzon, Republic
Republic ofof the
the Philippines.
Philippines.
The wing also incorporates its annual toy "Christmas drop"
The wing also incorporates its annual toy "Christmas drop"
for
for the
the storm
storm victims'
victims' children
children with
with the
the relief
relief supplies.
supplies.
8
8 December:
December: TheThe United
United States
States and
and the
the USSR
USSR sign
sign the
the
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The treaty
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The treaty
pledges
pledges the
the two
two nations
nations to
to remove
remove Pershing
Pershing II,
II, GLCMs,
GLCMs, and
and
SS-20
SS-20 intermediate-range
intermediate-range (620-3,415
(620-3,415 statute
statute miles)
miles) missiles
missiles
from
from Europe.
Europe. The
The agreement
agreement will
will result
result in
in the
the inactivation
inactivation of
of
six
six GLOM
GLCM wings
wings in
in Europe:
Europe: the
the 303d
303d TMW,
TMW, RAFRAF Molesworth,
Molesworth,
United Kingdom; the 38th TMW, Wuescheim AS, Germany;
United Kingdom; the 38th TMW, Wuescheim AS, Germany;
the
the 487th
487th TMW,
TMW, Comiso
Comiso AS,
AS, Italy;
Italy; the
the 485th
485th TMW,
TMW, Florennes
Florennes
AB; the 486th TMW, Woensdrecht AB, the Netherlands; and
AB; the 486th TMW, Woensdrecht AB, the Netherlands; and
the
the 501
501stst TMW,
TMW, RAF
RAF Greenham
Greenham Common,
Common, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom.

19111;
1988
11 January:
January: SAC
SAC changes
changes Minuteman
Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBM
and Peacekeeper ICBM
crew
crew assignment
assignment policy
policy to
to permit
permit mixed
mixed male/female crews in
male/female crews in
Minuteman
Minuteman and and Peacekeeper
Peacekeeper missile
missile launch
launch facilities
facilities..
Heretofore, SAC has
Heretofore, SAC has segregated
segregated male
male and
and female
female crews
crews..
20
20 January:
January: The
The 100th
100th and
and final
final B-1B
B-1B Lancer bomber rolls
Lancer bomber rolls off
off
the assembly line
the assembly at Rockwell's
line at Rockwell's aircraft
aircraft plant
plant in
in Palmdale,
Palmdale,
California .
California.

11
1199
25-28
25-28 January At the
January:: At the request
request of
of the
the Philippine
Philippine government,
government,
Manila
Manila receives
receives 102
102 tons
tons of
of medical
medical supplies
supplies via
via two
two C-5
C-5
Galaxy
Galaxy transports
transports of of the
the 60th
60th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing.. The
The
supplies
supplies are
are donated
donated by by aa private
private relief
relief organization,
organization,
Americares,
Americares, to replenish the
to replenish the Philippine
Philippine stock.
stock.
19-22 February:: A
19-22 February A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of the
the 86th
86th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Squadron,
Squadron, 60th
60th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing,
Wing, transports
transports 50
50 tons
tons ofof
construction
construction materials
materials and
and electrical
electrical equipment
equipment to to the
the
Marshall
Marshall Islands
Islands to
to repair
repair housing
housing andand restore
restore electrical
electrical
power
power damage
damage caused
caused by
by Typhoon
Typhoon Roy.
Roy.
17-18 March: USAF
17-18 March: USAF transport
transport aircraft
aircraft carry
carry some
some 3,200
3,200 U.S.
U.S.
soldiers
soldiers to
to the
the Republic
Republic ofof Honduras
Honduras toto support
support Exercise
Exercise
Golden
Golden Pheasant
Pheasant.. The
The deployment
deployment is is requested
requested byby the
the
Honduran
Honduran government
government after
after Sandinista
Sandinista forces
forces from
from Nicaragua
Nicaragua
invade
invade their
their country.
country.
April SAC tankers
April:: SAC tankers give
give extensive
extensive refueling
refueling support
support to
to U.S
U.S..
Navy
Navy aircraft
aircraft attacking
attacking Iranian
Iranian warships
warships and
and offshore
offshore oil
oil
platforms
platforms in
in the
the Persian
Persian Gulf.
Gulf.
April:: Eight
April Eight C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies and
and 22
22 C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters of
of MAC
MAC
transport
transport 1,300
1,300 security
security specialists
specialists from
from the
the United
United States
States to
to
the
the Republic
Republic of
of Panama
Panama toto counteract
counteract the
the political
political instability
instability
that
that threatens
threatens the
the safety
safety of
of several
several thousand
thousand U.S
U.S.. citizens
citizens..
17
17 April-23 July: Capt
April-23 July: Capt Michael
Michael Eastman
Eastman and
and his
his C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy
transport
transport crew
crew areare the
the first
first U.S
U.S.. airmen
airmen toto land
land atat
Semipalatinsk,
Semipalatinsk, Republic
Republic of
of Kazakhstan,
Kazakhstan, USSR.
USSR. They
They deliver
deliver
sensitive
sensitive verification
verification equipment
equipment for
for monitoring
monitoring nuclear
nuclear tests
tests
under
under existing
existing international
international agreements.
agreements. Captain
Captain Eastman
Eastman
receives
receives the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for successful
successful execution
execution of
of this
this
mission
mission..
May:: The
May The 60th
60th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing transports
transports 73
73 tons
tons of
of relief
relief
supplies
supplies by
by aa C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy from
from Kadena
Kadena AB
AB to
to Islamabad,
Islamabad,
Pakistan,
Pakistan, toto refugees
refugees fleeing
fleeing the
the civil
civil war
war inin nearby
nearby
Afghanistan.
Afghanistan. USAF
USAF aircraft
aircraft also
also fly
fly Afghans
Afghans requiring
requiring medical
medical
attention
attention from
from Pakistan
Pakistan to
to hospitals
hospitals in
in Europe
Europe or
or the
the United
United
States
States..
22 June
June and
and 10-11 August:: Fighting
10-11 August Fighting between
between rebels
rebels and
and
government
government forces
forces in
in southern
southern Sudan
Sudan drives
drives hundreds
hundreds of
of
thousands
thousands of people seeking food and shelter to refugee
of people seeking food and shelter to refugee

120
120
A KC-135 tanker refuels an F-117 Stealth fighter. Designers incorporated
radical design and radar-absorbing materials to enable the aircraft to evade
radar detection.

camps
camps.. At
At the
the request
request of Sudanese government,
the Sudanese
of the government, the
the
60th and
60th 436th Military
and 436th Airlift Wings
Military Airlift Wings fly
fly humanitarian
humanitarian
missions
missions.. These
These units
units furnish
furnish more
more than 70 tons
than 70 tons of
of plastic
plastic
sheeting for shelters, in addition to food and other supplies .
sheeting for shelters, in addition to food and other supplies.
August : USAF
August: USAF MACMAC C-5 Galaxies airlift
C-5 Galaxies airlift a
a 500-member
500-member
United Nations peacekeeping
United Nations peacekeeping force
force from
from the
the United States to
United States to
Turkey
Turkey and
and Iraq
Iraq to
to monitor a cease-fire
monitor a cease-fire agreement
agreement between
between
these two countries.
these two countries.
11 August
August:: The 177th Fighter
The 177th Group retires
Fighter Group retires the
the last
last three
three
F-106 Delta Darts
F-106 Delta Darts from
from the
the active
active USAF
USAF inventory
inventory of on-line
of on-line
aircraft
aircraft.. Two
Two of the F-106s
of the are "A"
F-106s are "A" models
models and
and one
one isis aa "B"
"B"
model.
model.
22 August-6
22 October: Thirteen
August-6 October: Thirteen separate
separate fires
fires burn
bum inin more
more
than
than half of Yellowstone
half of Yellowstone National
National Park's
Park's 2.2 million acres
2.2 million acres
over
over portions
portions ofof Wyoming
Wyoming and and Montana.
Montana. Active and Reserve
Active and Reserve
MAC
MAC aircraft transport more
aircraft transport more than
than 4,000 firefighters and
4,000 firefighters and
nearly 2,500 tons
nearly 2,500 of fire-fighting
tons of fire-fighting equipment
equipment to to the
the scene
scene of
of
the disaster . Aircraft
the disaster. Aircraft are
are fitted
fitted with
with Forest
Forest Service
Service modular
modular
airborne
airborne fire-fighting equipment that
fire-fighting equipment that sprays
sprays fire
fire retardant
retardant
chemicals
chemicals at low altitudes.
at low altitudes.
25-31 August:
25-31 August: A
A civil
civil war in Somalia
war in Somalia results
results in
in large-scale
large-scale
requirements
requirements for
for medical
medical treatment
treatment of
of people
people fleeing
fleeing to
to

121
121
Mogadishu,
Mogadishu, thethe capital.
capital. The
The Somali
Somali government
government requests
requests
medical
medical aid,
aid, particularly
particularly hospital
hospital beds
beds.. A
A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of
the
the 41st
41st Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Squadron
Squadron responds
responds with
with a
a 200-bed
200-bed
emergency
emergency hospital
hospital weighing
weighing more
more than
than 22
22 tons.
tons.
28
28 August-3
August-3 September:
September: As
As aa result
result of
of shortages
shortages of of hospital
hospital
equipment
equipment andand medical
medical supplies
supplies onon the
the island
island ofof Sao
Sao Tome
Tome
off
off the
the west
west coast
coast of
of Africa,
Africa, aa C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of the
the 20th
20th
Military Airlift Squadron flies 29 tons of supply items to that
Military Airlift Squadron flies 29 tons of supply items to that
location
location..
September:
September: USAF
USAF E-3A
E-3A Sentry
Sentry AWACS
AWACS aircraft
aircraft and
and fighter
fighter
escorts
escorts fly
fly sorties
sorties over
over the
the South
South Korean
Korean Olympic
Olympic Games
Games inin
Seoul to deter North Korean aggression.
Seoul to deter North Korean aggression.
10-15
10-15 September:
September: The The 60th,
60th, 62d,
62d, 63d,
63d, and
and 436th
436th Military
Military
Airlift
Airlift Wings
Wings fly
fly at
at least
least 100
100 tons
tons ofof relief
relief supplies
supplies and
and aa
field
field hospital
hospital toto the
the victims
victims of
of aa flood
flood in
in Bangladesh
Bangladesh.. The
The
flood inundates three-fourths of the country and almost all
flood inundates three-fourths of the country and almost all
of
of the
the capital
capital city
city of
of Dhaka,
Dhaka, killing
killing 1,200
1,200 people
people and
and making
making
28
28 million
million inhabitants
inhabitants homeless
homeless..
29
29 September:
September: The
The long
long stand-down
stand-down ofof the
the U.S
U.S.. manned
manned
space program
space program in the wake of the Challenger tragedy of
in the wake of the Challenger tragedy of 28
28
January
January 1986
1986 ends
ends with
with the
the launch
launch of
of the
the space
space shuttle
shuttle
Discovery.
Discovery.
25
25 October:
October: The
The 31st
31st ARRS
ARRS uses
uses two
two HH-3
HH-3 Jolly
Jolly Green
Green
Giant
Giant helicopters
helicopters to
to rescue
rescue 27
27 stranded
stranded residents
residents following
following
a
a flood
flood caused
caused by
by Typhoon
Typhoon Ruby
Ruby atat Marikina,
Marikina, Republic
Republic of
of
the
the Philippines,
Philippines, near
near Manila.
Manila. The
The four-flight
four-flight mission
mission takes
takes
eight
eight airborne
airborne hours
hours to
to accomplish
accomplish this
this effort
effort..
99 November:
November: InIn response
response to
to a
a State
State Department
Department request,
request, a
a
C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy of
of the
the 709th
709th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Squadron
Squadron transports
transports
aa mobile
mobile dental
dental clinic
clinic and
and two
two ambulances
ambulances toto Niamey,
Niamey,
Niger, on a humanitarian mission.
Niger, on a humanitarian mission.
10
10 November:
November: USAF
USAF reveals
reveals the
the F-117A
F-117A Stealth
Stealth fighter
fighter to
to
the
the public
public for
for the
the first
first time
time.. Manufactured
Manufactured by
by Lockheed,
Lockheed,
using
using radar-absorbent
radar-absorbent materials
materials and
and a
a radical
radical new
new design,
design,
the F-1 17A can evade radar detection.
the F-l 17A can evade radar detection.
16-30
16-30 November:
November: After
After a
a destructive
destructive influx
influx of
of locusts,
locusts, the
the
60th,
60th, 63d,
63d, 437th,
437th, and
and 438th
438th Militaryv
Military Airlift
Airlift Wings
Wings fly
fly 442
442

122
122
tons
tons of
of insecticide
insecticide and
and supplies
supplies on
on a
a humanitarian
humanitarian mission
mission
to
to Dakar,
Dakar, Senegal.
Senegal.
22
22 November
November:: USAF,
USAF, inin partnership
partnership with
with the
the Northrop
Northrop
Aviation
Aviation Corporation,
Corporation, rolls
rolls out
out the
the first
first B-2
B-2 Stealth
Stealth bomber
bomber
in Palmdale, California. Like the F-1 17A, the B-2 has
in Palmdale, California. Like the F-117A, the B-2 has an
an
extremely
extremely small
small radar
radar signature.
signature.
Late
Late November
November:: Civil
Civil strife,
strife, natural
natural disasters,
disasters, andand territorial
territorial
threats
threats result
result in
in humanitarian
humanitarian airlifts
airlifts by
by the
the 9th
9th Military
Military
Airlift Squadron of an ambulance to Douala, capital of
Airlift Squadron of an ambulance to Douala, capital of
Cameroon,
Cameroon, and and 3131 pallets
pallets ofof medical
medical equipment
equipment to to
N'Djamena,
N'Djamena, capital
capital of
of Chad-70
Chad—70 tons
tons in all for
in all both countries.
for both countries.
9
9 December
December:: The
The United
United States
States offers
offers disaster
disaster relief
relief to
to the
the
Soviet government, which
Soviet government, which Mikhail
Mikhail Gorbachev
Gorbachev accepts
accepts.. Over
Over
an
an eight-week
eight-week period,
period, MAC
MAC units
units transport
transport more
more than
than 311
311
tons
tons of
of relief
relief cargo
cargo to
to victims
victims of
of an
an earthquake
earthquake inin Yerevan,
Yerevan,
Armenia,
Armenia, the the USSR
USSR.. This
This operation
operation sets
sets aa precedent
precedent
because
because previously
previously thethe USSR
USSR hadhad prohibited
prohibited direct
direct U.S
U.S..
flights
flights to
to its
its cities
cities without
without Soviet
Soviet personnel
personnel aboard
aboard as as
observers.
observers.
12
12 December:
December: The
The 33d
33d ARKS
ARRS saves
saves 11
11 passengers
passengers afloat
afloat in
in aa
life raft from the sunken ship, Selina, in the Pacific Ocean
life raft from the sunken ship, Seltna, in the Pacific Ocean
between
between the the Philippines
Philippines and
and Japan.
Japan. The
The survivors
survivors receive
receive
transport
transport to to Clark
Clark AB
AB for
for examination
examination and
and treatment.
treatment.
Late
Late December
December:: A A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of the
the Twenty-first
Twenty-first Air
Air
Force
Force flies
flies from
from the
the eastern
eastern United
United States
States to
to Nairobi,
Nairobi, Kenya,
Kenya,
carrying
carrying six
six tons
tons of
of parachutes
parachutes to to be
be used
used as tents by
as tents by
homeless
homeless refugees
refugees in southern Sudan.
in southern Sudan.

1980
1491149

7-20
7-20 January
January:: Two C-130 Hercules
Two C-130 Hercules of of the
the 167th
167th Tactical
Tactical
Airlift Group fly U .S. medical personnel and supplies to
Airlift Group fly U.S. medical personnel and supplies to
Liberia
Liberia inin support
support ofof Medfly
Medfly '89,
'89, aa joint-service
joint-service humanitarian
humanitarian
effort
effort to
to train
train medical
medical personnel,
personnel, inoculate
inoculate Liberians
Liberians against
against
disease, and treat their ailments .
disease, and treat their ailments.
Early
Early February
February:: Two
Two C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters of
of the
the 63d
63d Military
Military
Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing provide
provide 20
20 tons
tons of
of insecticide
insecticide to
to Dakar,
Dakar, Senegal,
Senegal,
to combat
to locust swarms.
combat locust swarms.

123
123
16
16 February
February:: Northrop completes the
Northrop completes the 3,806th
3,806th T-38
T-38 Talon
Talon
and
and closes the production
closes the production line
line for
for this
this versatile
versatile jet
jet trainer.
trainer.
27
27 March:
March: MAC
MAC assists
assists oil
oil cleanup
cleanup efforts
efforts near
near Valdez,
Valdez,
Alaska,
Alaska, after an oil
after an oil tanker
tanker runs
runs aground.
aground. MAC aircraft
MAC aircraft
transport oil-spill cleanup
transport oil-spill cleanup equipment,
equipment, cargo
cargo items,
items, and
and
personnel
personnel to the Valdez area .
to the Valdez area.
April
April:: A C-5 Galaxy
A C-5 Galaxy of
of the
the 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing
transports
transports 32
32 pallets
pallets of
of relief supplies to
relief supplies to Banjul,
Banjul, Gambia;
Gambia;
Malabo,
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: and
Equatorial Guinea; and N'Djamena, Chad, as
N'Djamena, Chad, as an
an
act of
act of humanitarian
humanitarian relief
relief for
for the
the destitute
destitute population
population..
17
17 April:
April: Lockheed
Lockheed delivers the 50th
delivers the 50th and
and last C-5B Galaxy
last C-5B Galaxy
transport
transport to
to the
the U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force
Force..
9-11 June: MAC
9-11 June: MAC units
units fly
fly four
four tons of medical
tons of medical supplies
supplies and
and a
a
U .S. burn
U.S. bum specialist
specialist to
to alleviate
alleviate the
the suffering
suffering of
of victims
victims of
of a
a
rail disaster at
rail disaster at Ufa
Ufa on
on the
the Trans-Siberian
Trans-Siberian Railroad
Railroad about
about 750
750
miles
miles southeast
southeast of
of Moscow.
Moscow. As As aa pair
pair of
of trains
trains carrying
carrying some
some
1,200
1,200 passengers
passengers pass
pass each other, a
each other, a liquid-gas
liquid-gas pipeline
pipeline
explodes and
explodes and causes
causes one
one of
of the
the trains
trains to
to derail
derail and
and crash
crash into
into
the other. Approximately 850 passengers are either killed or
the other. Approximately 850 passengers are either killed or
injured, making
injured, making it
it the
the worst
worst rail
rail disaster
disaster in
in history.
history.

A C-130 Hercules flies low over Panama during Operation Just Cause in 1989.

124
10
10 June Capt Jacquelyn
June:: Capt Jacquelyn S
S.. Parker becomes the
Parker becomes the first
first woman
woman
pilot to graduate from the Air Force Test Pilot School at
pilot to graduate from the Air Force Test Pilot School at
Edwards AFB.
Edwards AFB.
14 June:: The
14 June The first
first successful
successful launch
launch ofof the
the Martin
Martin Marietta
Marietta
Titan IV heavy-lift space
Titan IV heavy-lift space booster,
booster, nearly
nearly 20
20 stories
stories tall,
tall,
occurs
occurs at
at Cape Canaveral.. It
Cape Canaveral It carries classified military
carries aa classified military
payload.
payload.
July: President
66 July: President Bush
Bush presents the Presidential
presents the Presidential Medal
Medal of
of
Freedom, the nation's highest
Freedom, the nation's highest civilian
civilian award,
award, to
to Gen
Gen James
James
H.
H. Doolittle,
Doolittle, USAF,
USAF, retired, at the
retired, at the White
White House.
House. General
General
Doolittle led the famous
Doolittle led the famous World
World War
War II
II raid
raid on
on Tokyo.
Tokyo.
Late
Late July-7
July-7 August:
August: A raging fire
A raging fire spreads
spreads through
through
thousands of acres of forest in southwestern Idaho near
thousands of acres of forest in southwestern Idaho near
Boise,
Boise, in eastern Oregon,
in eastern Oregon, and
and in eastern California
in eastern California near
near
Van Nuys . MAC aircraft
Van Nuys. MAC aircraft transport
transport nearly
nearly 1,000
1,000 firefighters
firefighters
and
and 850
850 tons
tons of of fire-fighting equipment and
fire-fighting equipment and medical
medical
supplies
supplies toto the
the scene.
scene. Other
Other USAF aircraft spray
USAF aircraft spray 3,350
3,350 tons
tons
of chemical fire retardant on the conflagration from low
of chemical fire retardant on the conflagration from low
altitude
altitude..
16-25 August:
16-25 August: PACAF
PACAF hosts the first
hosts the first Pacific
Pacific Air
Air Chiefs
Chiefs
Conference attended by
Conference attended by representatives
representatives from
from Australia,
Australia,
Japan,
Japan, the Philippines, Singapore,
the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Malaysia, and Brunei.
The conference
The conference promotes regional cooperation
promotes regional cooperation and
and security
security
by enhancing each nation's air power.
by enhancing each nation's air power.
19
19 September:
September: OneOne hundred twenty-eight aircraft
hundred twenty-eight aircraft of
of MAC
MAC
and
and the
the Eighth
Eighth Air Force provide
Air Force provide relief
relief to victims of
to victims of
Hurricane Hugo. Winds
Hurricane Hugo. Winds of
of 125
125 mph
mph along
along with
with torrential
torrential
rains
rains and
and high seas destroy
high seas destroy the
the homes
homes ofof tens
tens of
of thousands
thousands
of inhabitants
of inhabitants ofof the
the Lesser Antilles and
Lesser Antilles and South Carolina.. A
South Carolina A
critical absence or shortage of food, water, and
critical absence or shortage of food, water, and electricity
electricity
brings
brings about the transportation
about the transportation of
of some 2,000 people
some 2,000 people and
and
4,330 tons of supplies.
4,330 tons of supplies.
11 October:
October: Gen
Gen Hansford
Hansford T. Johnson,
T. Johnson, USAF, becomes the
USAF, becomes the
first Air Force
first Air Force Academy
Academy graduate to become a four-star
graduate to become a four-star
general.
general.
33 October:
October: USAF receives the
USAF receives the last
last of 37 Lockheed
of 37 Lockheed U-2R
U-2R
high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft .
high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

12
1255
44 October:
October: The
The B-1B
B-1B crew
crew ofof the
the 96th
96th Bombardment
Bombardment WingWing
at
at Dyess
Dyess AFB
AFB receives
receives thethe Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for successfully
successfully
landing their aircraft with a retracted-nose landing gear.
landing their aircraft with a retracted-nose landing gear.
This
This accomplishment
accomplishment is is the
the first-ever
first-ever gear-up
gear-up landing
landing of
of aa
B-1 . No aircrew were injured and the airplane suffered only
B-l. No aircrew were injured and the airplane suffered only
minimal
minimal damages
damages..
44 October:
October: AA C-5B
C-5B Galaxy
Galaxy lands
lands without
without skis
skis at
at McMurdo
McMurdo
Station
Station in
in Antarctica
Antarctica with
with 7272 passengers
passengers and
and 8484 tons
tons of
of
cargo, including two fully assembled Bell UH-IN helicopters.
cargo, including two fully assembled Bell UH-IN helicopters.
This
This is the first
is the first time an aircraft
time an aircraft so
so large has landed
large has landed onon the
the
ice continent. The crew of the 60th Military Airlift Wing at
ice continent. The crew of the 60th Military Airlift Wing at
Travis
Travis AFB
AFB carries
carries out
out the
the mission.
mission.
17
17 October:
October: Units
Units of
of MAC
MAC respond
respond to to aa devastating
devastating
earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale in
earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale in the
the San
San
Francisco
Francisco Bay,
Bay, California,
California, area
area.. They
They deliver
deliver more
more than
than
250 tons of relief equipment and transport some 100
250 tons of relief equipment and transport some 100
passengers
passengers..
14
14 December:
December: For
For the
the first
first time,
time, MAC
MAC allows
allows women
women toto serve
serve
as crew members
as crew members on on C-130
C-130 andand C-141
C-141 airdrop
airdrop missions
missions..
This marks the entry of women into combat crew roles.
This marks the entry of women into combat crew roles.
20 December : Operation
20 December: Operation Just
Just Cause
Cause witnesses
witnesses the
the use
use of
of
the
the Lockheed
Lockheed F-1 17A Stealth
F-117A Stealth fighter-bomber
fighter-bomber in in combat
combat
operations for the first time . Two Stealth fighters of the 37th
operations for the first time. Two Stealth fighters of the 37th
Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing release
release their
their 2,000-pound
2,000-pound
laser-guided bombs in the
laser-guided bombs in the vicinity
vicinity of the Panama Defense
of the Panama Defense
Forces's
Forces's barracks
barracks located
located on on the
the Rio Hato military
Rio Hato military
reservation
reservation..
20 December:: An
20 December AC-130H aircrew
An AC-130H aircrew of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force Special
Special
Operations Command accurately attacks the Panamanian
Operations Command accurately attacks the Panamanian
Defense
Defense Forces
Forces headquarters
headquarters compound,
compound, the
the most
most heavily
heavily
defended target of the Just Cause operation. Subsequently,
defended target of the Just Cause operation. Subsequently,
U .S. forces
U.S. are able
forces are to occupy
able to occupy key
key strategic
strategic military
military
positions in Panama.
positions in Panama.
20 December:: In
20 December In Operation
Operation Just
Just Cause,
Cause, MAC
MAC units
units
transport
transport 9,500 airborne troops
9,500 airborne troops from
from Pope
Pope AFB
AFB to
to Panama
Panama
in
in less
less than
than 36
36 hours,
hours, making
making itit the
the largest
largest night-combat
night-combat
airdrop
airdrop since
since the
the Normandy
Normandy invasion
invasion of
of 1944
1944..

126
126
20-31 December: AFRES
20-31 December: AFRES crews
crews make major contribution
make aa major contribution
to
to the
the success
success of Just Cause,
of Just Cause, flying
flying 455 sorties totaling
455 sorties totaling
1,500 hours . Reserve airlifters carry
1,500 hours. Reserve airlifters carry more
more than 5,900
than 5,900
passengers
passengers and 3,700 tons
and 3,700 tons of
of cargo. Air refuelers
cargo. Air refuelers support
support
regular and reserve aircraft . Reservists fly AC-130
regular and reserve aircraft. Reservists fly AC-130 gunships
gunships
on
on 29
29 sorties and expend
sorties and expend over
over 7,000
7,000 rounds
rounds ofof ammunition.
ammunition.
20-31
20-31 December: Numerous ANG
December: Numerous ANG fighter, special operations,
fighter, special operations,
and airlift units participate in
and airlift units participate in Operation
Operation Just
Just Cause.
Cause. They
They
are
are the
the 114th
114th and
and 180th Tactical Fighter
180th Tactical Fighter Groups,
Groups, the
the 193d
193d
Special Operations Group,
Special Operations Group, and
and the
the 105th,
105th, 136th,
136th, 139th,
139th,
146th, 166th,
146th, 166th, and
and 172d Tactical Airlift
172d Tactical Airlift Groups.
Groups.
29-31 December:: Two
29-31 December Two C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules of of the
the 435th
435th Tactical
Tactical
Airlift Wing
Airlift Wing and
and the
the 37th
37th Tactical Airlift Squadron
Tactical Airlift Squadron transport
transport
31 tons of medical supplies to Bucharest, Romania, for
31 tons of medical supplies to Bucharest, Romania, for
treatment
treatment of civilians wounded
of civilians wounded inin a violent anticommunist
a violent anticommunist
revolution.
revolution. The fighting subsides
The fighting subsides with
with the victory of
the victory of the
the
anticommunist rebels and
anticommunist rebels and the
the subsequent
subsequent execution
execution of
of
President
President Nicolas
Nicolas Ceaucescu.
Ceaucescu.

19JO
1000
31 January:: After
31 January After more
more than
than 11 years, the
11 years, the ANC's
ANG's rotational
rotational
deployments to defend the Panama Canal, known as
deployments to defend the Panama Canal, known as
Operation Coronet
Operation Coronet Cove
Cove closes The ANG
closes.. The ANG flew
flew more
more than
than
13,000 sorties, totaling 16,959 hours, since the operation
13,000 sorties, totaling 16,959 hours, since the operation
began in
began in 1979
1979..
February
February:: Units
Units of the 436th
of the 436th Military
Military Airlift Wing and
Airlift Wing and the
the
463d Tactical Airlift Wing make flights to Monrovia,
463d Tactical Airlift Wing make flights to Monrovia, Liberia,
Liberia,
providing
providing assistance for hundreds
assistance for hundreds of of people displaced by
people displaced by aa
civil war. The airlifters transport 30 tons of relief
civil war. The airlifters transport 30 tons of relief supplies.
supplies.
February-March:: Aircraft
February-March Aircraft of
of the 60th and
the 60th and 63d Military Airlift
63d Military Airlift
Wings
Wings deliver 410 tons
deliver 410 tons of
of relief supplies and
relief supplies and 149
149 con-
con-
struction workers from nearby islands to
struction workers from nearby islands to Western
Western and
and
American
American Samoa
Samoa toto assist residents' recovery
assist residents' recovery from
from thethe
ravages of Typhoon Ofa.
ravages of Typhoon Ofa.
23 February-6
23 February-6 March Units of
March:: Units of the
the 435th Tactical Airlift
435th Tactical Airlift Wing
Wing
fly
fly 11
11 tons
tons of medical equipment
of medical equipment and relief supplies,
and relief supplies, as
as well
well

127
127
as
as 60
60 medics,
medics, to
to treat
treat disease
disease and
and provide
provide inoculations
inoculations
against
against infection
infection in
in Senegal.
Senegal.
4
4 April
April:: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force adds
adds to
to its
its inventory
inventory the
the last
last of
of
60
60 official
official KC-l0A
KC-10A Extender
Extender tanker/cargo
tanker/cargo aircraft
aircraft built
built by
by
McDonnell Douglas.
McDonnell Douglas.
11
11 April:
April: A C-5 Galaxy
A C-5 transports to
Galaxy transports to the
the United
United States
States the
the
first European-based GLOM scheduled for destruction in
first European-based GLCM scheduled for destruction in
accordance
accordance with
with the
the INF
INF Treaty.
Treaty.
June
June:: Secretary
Secretary of
of the
the Air
Air Force
Force Donald
Donald B.
B. Rice
Rice releases
releases
Global
Global Reach-Global
Reach—Global Power,
Power, a a transitional
transitional strategic
strategic
planning
planning framework
framework for
for the
the Air
Air Force
Force following
following the
the Cold
Cold
War.
War.
Late
Late June-Early July:: The
June-Early July The Painted
Painted Cave
Cave fire
fire begins
begins inin the
the
forest
forest north
north of
of Santa
Santa Barbara,
Barbara, California
California.. ItIt eventually
eventually
burns
burns 4,900
4,900 acres
acres and
and destroys
destroys 450
450 homes.
homes. At At least
least ten
ten
C-130
C-130 Hercules,
Hercules, flown
flown by
by crews
crews from
from MAC units, deliver
MAC units, deliver
fire-suppressant chemicals, fire fighters, and fire-fighting
fire-suppressant chemicals, fire fighters, and fire-fighting
equipment
equipment to to the
the disaster
disaster area.
area. The
The aircraft also sprays
aircraft also sprays the
the
fire
fire from
from the air.
the air.
12
12 July:
July: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force accepts
accepts delivery
delivery of
of the
the last
last of
of 59
59
Lockheed
Lockheed F-117A
F-117A Stealth
Stealth fighter-bombers.
fighter-bombers.
17
17 July-1
July-1 August:
August: AnAn earthquake
earthquake measuring
measuring 7.7
7.7 on on the
the
Richter scale strikes Baguio, in the Philippines, only 45
Richter scale strikes Baguio, in the Philippines, only 45
miles
miles from
from Clark
Clark AB.
AB. The
The 60th,
60th, 62d,
62d, and
and 438th
438th Military
Military
Airlift Wings, as well as the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing,
Airlift Wings, as well as the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing,
deliver
deliver 582
582 tons
tons ofof relief
relief supplies
supplies and
and transport
transport 2,475
2,475
passengers
passengers toto the
the disaster
disaster area
area to
to assist
assist the
the injured
injured and
and the
the
homeless .
homeless.
24
24 July:
July: Following
Following the
the end
end of
of the
the Cold
Cold War,
War, nearly 30 years
nearly 30 years
of continuous airborne command-post operations and over
of continuous airborne command-post operations and over
250
250 million
million hours
hours ofof accident-free
accident-free flying
flying cease
cease when
when the
the
SAC commander in chiefs EC-135C Looking Glass lands.
SAC commander in chiefs EC-135C Looking Glass lands.
Looking
Looking Glass
Glass aircraft
aircraft are
are airborne
airborne nuclear,
nuclear command
command andand
control
control posts.
posts.
August-December:
August-December: AirAir Force
Force Space
Space Command
Command (AFSPACECOM)
(AFSPACECOM)
establishes the first space system infrastructure to
establishes the first space system infrastructure to directly
directly
support aa military
support military conflict
conflict.. Created to assist
Created to assist allied
allied forces
forces in
in

128
128
the
the Persian
Persian Gulf region, the
Gulf region, the space
space satellite systems will
satellite systems will
relay communications, facilitate navigation,
relay communications, facilitate navigation, provide
provide
meteorological data,
meteorological data, and
and detect short-range ballistic
detect short-range ballistic missile
missile
launches.
launches.
7
7 August: Operation Desert
August: Operation Desert Shield
Shield begins
begins in response to
in response to
Iraq's
Iraq's 2 August invasion
2 August invasion of
of Kuwait
Kuwait and and the ensuing threat
the ensuing threat
to
to Saudi
Saudi Arabian
Arabian security
security. . The
The operation's
operation's immediate
immediate
objective is
objective is to
to protect Saudi Arabia
protect Saudi from Iraqi
Arabia from Iraqi aggression
aggression
and build
and build up
up allied
allied military
military strength for the
strength for the liberation
liberation of
of
Kuwait should diplomacy fail to dislodge the Iraqi army .
Kuwait should diplomacy fail to dislodge the Iraqi army.
August:: In
77 August In response
response toto the
the Iraqi
Iraqi invasion
invasion of of Kuwait,
Kuwait, 24
24
F-15C
F-15C Eagles
Eagles of
of the
the TAC's
TAC's 71st Tactical Fighter
71st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Squadron
make a 15-hour, 8,000-mile nonstop flight
make a 15-hour, 8,000-mile nonstop flight from
from Langley
Langley
AFB
AFB to
to Dhahran,
Dhahran, Saudi
Saudi Arabia,
Arabia, with
with 12 in-flight refuelings
12 in-flight refuelings..
8 August:: The
8 August The first
first USAF
USAF transport, C-141 Starlifter,
transport, aa C-141 Starlifter, to
to fly
fly
into the
into the Gulf
Gulf crisis
crisis zone
zone lands
lands in Dhahran. The
in Dhahran. The crew
crew are
are the
the
first USAF reservists to arrive in Saudi Arabia.
first USAF reservists to arrive in Saudi Arabia.
9 August:: The
9 August The Alaskan
Alaskan Air
Air Command
Command isis redesignated as the
redesignated as the
Eleventh
Eleventh Air
Air Force and assigned
Force and assigned to PACAF..
to PACAF
17
17 August: President Bush
August: President Bush activates
activates the
the Civil Reserve Air
Civil Reserve Air
Fleet
Fleet for the first
for the first time
time since
since itit was authorized in
was authorized in 1952
1952.. The
The
activation
activation increases
increases airlift
airlift availability for the
availability for the Middle
Middle East
East..
20
20 August: More than
August: More than 15,300
15,300 USAF reservists, approxi-
USAF reservists, approxi-
mately
mately 22 percent of
22 percent of the
the total
total USAF
USAF Reserve force, volunteer
Reserve force, volunteer
to serve in Operation Desert Shield.
to serve in Operation Desert Shield.
22
22 August:
August: By this date,
By this date, Reserve
Reserve volunteers
volunteers ofof Operation
Operation
Desert
Desert Shield log more
Shield log more than
than 4,300
4,300 flying hours, transport
flying hours, transport 77
million
million tons of cargo,
tons of cargo, and
and provide
provide travel
travel for 8,150 persons.
for 8,150 persons.
23
23 August:
August: The 89th Military
The 89th Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing receives the first
receives the first of
of
two Boeing VC-25A presidential transport aircraft
two Boeing VC-25A presidential transport aircraft at
at Andrews
Andrews
AFB. The VC-25A
AFB. The VC-25A is is a
a modified 747-200B commercial
modified 747-200B commercial
transport that replaces the VC-137C Air
transport that replaces the VC-137C Air Force
Force One.
One.
23
23 August: Secretary of
August: Secretary of Defense
Defense Richard
Richard BB.. Cheney
Cheney grants
grants
the Air Force authority to call up reservists for active duty
the Air Force authority to call up reservists for active duty
in the
in the Gulf
Gulf crisis
crisis.. Eventually
Eventually the USAF calls
the USAF calls more
more than
than
20,000 Air Force reservists to active duty.
20,000 Air Force reservists to active duty.

12
1299
29
29 August:
August: AnAn Air
Air Force
Force C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy of
of the
the 68th
68th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Squadron,
Squadron, carrying
carrying medical
medical and
and other
other supplies
supplies destined
destined forfor
the
the Gulf
Gulf theater,
theater, crashes
crashes onon take-off
take-off from
from Ramstein
Ramstein AB AB..
Thirteen
Thirteen persons
persons areare killed
killed and
and four
four injured
injured.. SSgt
SSgt Lorenzo
Lorenzo
Galvin
Galvin Jr.,
Jr., aa reservist,
reservist, is
is awarded
awarded the
the Airman's
Airman's Medal
Medal for
for his
his
heroic
heroic efforts
efforts to
to rescue
rescue victims
victims of
of the
the crash.
crash.
66 September:
September: The
The United
United States
States Postal
Postal Service
Service honors
honors Lt
Lt Gen
Gen
Claire
Claire L.
L. Chennault,
Chennault, organizer
organizer of
of the
the famous
famous World
World War
War IIII
Flying
Flying Tigers,
Tigers, by
by issuing
issuing aa 40-cent
40-cent stamp
stamp that
that features
features his
his
portrait.
portrait.
88 September:
September: Marcelite
Marcelite Jordan
Jordan Harris
Harris becomes
becomes the
the first
first black
black
woman to hold the grade of brigadier general in the U.S. Air
woman to hold the grade of brigadier general in the U.S. Air
Force.
Force. AA specialist
specialist in
in aircraft
aircraft maintenance,
maintenance, General
General Harris
Harris
becomes
becomes Air Air Training
Training Command's
Command's director
director of
of technical
technical
training
training..
17
17 September:
September: Secretary
Secretary Cheney
Cheney removes
removes Gen
Gen Michael
Michael J.J.
Dugan
Dugan asas Air
Air Force
Force chief
chief of
of staff
staff for
for unauthorized
unauthorized comments
comments
to
to the
the media
media in
in Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia during
during Operation
Operation Desert
Desert Shield
Shield..
18-28
18-28 September:
September: The
The 436th
436th and
and 438th
438th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wings
Wings
transport
transport 107
107 pallets
pallets of
of tents,
tents, cots,
cots, and
and blankets,
blankets, as as well
well as
as
360
360 passengers,
passengers, toto Jordan
Jordan for
for the
the relief
relief of
of some
some 100,000
100,000
foreign workers from
foreign workers from Kuwait.
Kuwait. More
More than
than 600,000
600,000 individuals
individuals
eventually
eventually flee
flee to
to Jordan
Jordan after
after the
the invasion
invasion byby Iraq
Iraq..
1-2
1-2 December:
December: Two
Two MH-60
MH-60 Pave
Pave Hawk
Hawk helicopters
helicopters of
of the
the
38th
38th Air
Air Rescue
Rescue Squadron
Squadron at at Osan
Osan ABAB rescue
rescue 2222
shipwrecked
shipwrecked sailors
sailors from
from aa grounded
grounded Panamanian
Panamanian vessel
vessel
located
located approximately
approximately six
six miles
miles west
west of
of Kunsan
Kunsan AB.
AB.
29
29 December:
December: TheThe 169th
169th Tactical
Tactical Fighter
Fighter Group
Group isis the
the first
first
ANG
ANG unit
unit to
to deploy
deploy to
to the
the Persian
Persian Gulf
Gulf region
region for
for Operation
Operation
Desert
Desert Shield
Shield..

1991
l *9J1
1991
1991:: Air
Air Force
Force Chief
Chief of
of Staff
Staff Gen
Gen Merrill
Merrill A.
A. McPeak
McPeak
designates
designates the
the year
year 1991
1991 as
as the
the "Year
"Year of
of Organization."
Organization."
Restructuring
Restructuring the
the Air
Air Force
Force to
to accommodate
accommodate post-Cold
post-Cold War
War
force
force reductions,
reductions, he
he decreases
decreases the
the number
number of of units,
units,

130
130
A USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon rolls into the sun in the Arabian desert during
Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft became operational in 1981.

eliminates
eliminates divisions, and introduces
divisions, and introduces the
the "one
"one base,
base, one
one
wing, one boss" concept.
wing, one boss" concept.
17 January:
17 January : The
The Gulf War begins
Gulf War begins at 0300 hours
at 0300 hours with
with
coalition air attacks against Iraqi targets; Operation Desert
coalition air attacks against Iraqi targets; Operation Desert
Shield becomes Operation
Shield becomes Operation Desert
Desert Storm.
Storm. During
During thethe first
first 14
14
hours of the new operation, coalition aircraft
hours of the new operation, coalition aircraft fly
fly more
more than
than
1,200 combat sorties
1,200 combat against targets
sorties against targets in
in Iraq
Iraq and Kuwait.
and Kuwait.
17 January: B-52G
17 January: B-52G Stratofortress
Stratofortress crews
crews from the 2d
from the 2d Bomb
Bomb
Wing
Wing ofof the Eighth Air
the Eighth Air Force, SAC, fly
Force, SAC, from Barksdale
fly from Barksdale AFB
AFB
to the Iraqi combat zone, launch 35 cruise missiles
to the Iraqi combat zone, launch 35 cruise missiles against
against
targets
targets in
in Iraq,
Iraq, and
and return
return to Barksdale. This
to Barksdale. This event
event marks
marks
the longest
the longest bombing
bombing mission
mission in
in history.
history.
17 January:
17 January: Constituting less
Constituting less than
than 2.5
2.5 percent
percent of
of all
all coalition
coalition
aircraft, F-117A Stealth fighter-bomber
aircraft, F-117A Stealth fighter-bomber crews
crews attack
attack more
more
than
than 3131 percent of Iraqi
percent of Iraqi strategic targets during
strategic targets during the first day
the first day
of
of the
the Gulf
Gulf War.
War.
January : C-130s
17 January:
17 C-130s begin
begin airlifting of the
elements of
airlifting elements the Army
Army
XVIII Airborne Corps from
XVIII Airborne Corps from eastern
eastern Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia to
to Raffia,
Rafha,
on the
on Saudi-Iraqi border.
the Saudi-Iraqi border. Flying more
Flying more than
than 300 sorties aa
300 sorties

13
1311
day in
day in ten-minute
ten-minute intervals,
intervals, the
the C-130s
C-130s deliver
deliver 13,843
13,843
troops
troops and
and 9,396
9,396 tons
tons ofof cargo.
cargo. This
This movement
movement enables
enables
coalition
coalition forces
forces to
to encircle
encircle Iraq's
Iraq's Republican
Republican Guard
Guard inin what
what
Gen Norman Schwarzkopf,
Gen Norman Schwarzkopf, commander
commander inin chief,
chief, US
US Central
Central
Command, describes as
Command, describes as the "Hail Mary maneuver."
the "Hail Mary maneuver."
17 January-28
January-28 February In 42
February:: In 42 days
days of combat, 16
of combat, 16 C-130
C-130
Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft of
of the
the AFRES
AFRES 1650th
1650th Tactical
Tactical Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing
(Provisional)
(Provisional) fly
fly more than 3,200
more than 3,200 combat
combat sorties
sorties against
against
Iraq
Iraq.. A-10 Thunderbolt Its
A-10 Thunderbolt IIs of
of the
the Reserve 706th Tactical
Reserve 706th Tactical
Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron fly fly more
more than 1,000 combat sorties
than 1,000 combat sorties
against
against enemy
enemy targets
targets.. Even
Even though
though some
some aircraft
aircraft sustain
sustain
combat
combat damage,
damage, no no Reserve
Reserve aircraft
aircraft is
is lost
lost and no reservist
and no reservist
is
is killed
killed in
in combat
combat operations
operations during
during the
the Gulf
Gulf War.
War.
18
18 January:
January: USAF
USAF aircraft based at
aircraft based at Incirlik, Turkey, begin
Incirlik, Turkey, begin
flying
flying strike
strike missions
missions against targets in
against targets in northern
northern Iraq
Iraq to
to
prevent
prevent reinforcement
reinforcement of
of enemy
enemy forces
forces in
in Kuwait.
Kuwait.
21
21 January:
January: Capt
Capt Paul T. Johnson
Paul T. Johnson inin his
his A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
11
II aircraft locates a
aircraft locates a U.S. Navy fighter
U.S. Navy fighter pilot
pilot who
who had
had ejected
ejected

B-52G Stratofortresses flew the longest bombing mission in history—over

35 hours—in Operation Desert Storm, round-trip from Barksdale AFB,
Louisiana, to Iraq.

132
in
in Iraqi
Iraqi territory
territory and
and destroys
destroys aa threatening
threatening Iraqi
Iraqi truck.
truck. This
This
action allows an Air Force MH-53J Pave
action allows an Air Force MH-53J Pave Low
Low helicopter
helicopter to
to
rescue the pilot. Captain Johnson will be awarded the Air
rescue the pilot. Captain Johnson will be awarded the Air
Force
Force Cross;
Cross; thethe Pave
Pave Low
Low helicopter
helicopter crew
crew will
will receive
receive the
the
Mackay
Mackay Trophy
Trophy for
for their
their heroism.
heroism.
22-23
22-23 January: F-111F Aardvarks
January: F-111F Aardvarks use
use laser-guided
laser-guided "smart
"smart
bombs" against hardened aircraft shelters at Al Asad AB, Iraq.
bombs" against hardened aircraft shelters at Al Asad AB, Iraq.
27 January:: Two
27 January Two F-111F
F-l 1 IF Aardvarks
Aardvarks deliver
deliver precision
precision bombs
bombs
on the refinery at Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, which closes oil
on the refinery at Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, which closes oil
manifolds
manifolds opened
opened by by Iraqi
Iraqi forces
forces.. Their
Their attack
attack stops
stops the
the flow
flow
of
of crude
crude oil
oil into
into the
the Persian
Persian Gulf.
Gulf.
27
27 January
January:: Coalition
Coalition aircraft
aircraft attain
attain air
air supremacy
supremacy in
in the
the
Gulf War after ten days of aerial combat.
Gulf War after ten days of aerial combat.
6
6 February
February:: Reserve
Reserve Capt
Capt Robert
Robert R.
R. Swain
Swain of of the
the 706th
706th
Tactical Fighter Squadron scores the first-ever A-10
Tactical Fighter Squadron scores the first-ever A-10
Warthog
Warthog air-to-air
air-to-air kill
kill by
by shooting
shooting down
down an
an Iraqi
Iraqi helicopter
helicopter..
13
13 February
February:: F-117
F-l 17 Stealth
Stealth fighter-bombers
fighter-bombers bomb bomb aa
communications
communications center,
center, the
the Al
Al Firdas
Firdas bunker,
bunker, inin downtown
downtown
Baghdad,
Baghdad, unaware
unaware ofof its
its function
function asas aa civilian
civilian shelter.
shelter.
Several
Several hundred
hundred civilians
civilians are
are casualties
casualties.. As
As aa consequence,
consequence,
coalition
coalition air
air authorities
authorities control
control combat missions in
combat missions in the
the
capital city more tightly.
capital city more tightly.
21
21 February
February:: At
At the
the request
request of
of the
the U.S
U.S.. State
State Department,
Department, a a
C-141 Starlifter of the 438th Military Airlift Wing flies 55
C-141 Starlifter of the 438th Military Airlift Wing flies 55
tons
tons of
of relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to Freetown,
Freetown, Sierra
Sierra Leone,
Leone, to
to alleviate
alleviate
economic
economic hardship
hardship..
24
24 February:
February: Ground
Ground offensive
offensive against
against Iraq
Iraq begins
begins.. Within
Within
100 hours, coalition ground forces, coupled with continued
100 hours, coalition ground forces, coupled with continued
air
air attacks, totally overwhelm
attacks, totally overwhelm the the Iraqi
Iraqi ground
ground troops.
troops.
Between
Between 24 24 and
and 2828 February,
February, USAF
USAF flies
flies 3,000
3,000 combat
combat
(reconnaissance,
(reconnaissance, close
close air
air support,
support, interdiction)
interdiction) sorties.
sorties.
25
25 February
February:: USAF
USAF F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcons
Falcons attack
attack Iraqi
Iraqi forces
forces
surrounding a nine-man Army Special Forces team. The
surrounding a nine-man Army Special Forces team. The
attack
attack permits
permits Army
Army UH-60
UH-60 Black
Black Hawk
Hawk helicopters
helicopters to
to
rescue the team
rescue the team. .
28
28 February
February:: The
The Gulf
Gulf War
War ends
ends atat 0800
0800 hours
hours with
with aa
coalition-declared cease-fire. Overall, during the entire Gulf
coalition-declared cease-fire. Overall, during the entire Gulf

133
133
air
air war,
war, the
the F-1
F-l 17A Stealth fighter-bombers
17A Stealth fighter-bombers have
have flown
flown only
only
2 percent of the combat sorties but have attacked 40
2 percent of the combat sorties but have attacked 40
percent
percent ofof Iraqi
Iraqi strategic
strategic targets
targets with
with the
the use
use of
of laser-guided
laser-guided
bombs
bombs.. Stealth
Stealth aircraft
aircraft made
made 1,270
1,270 combat
combat sorties
sorties and
and
dropped
dropped 2,041
2,041 tons
tons of
of bombs
bombs with
with 79
79 percent
percent or
or 1,616
1,616 tons
tons
of
of bombs
bombs hitting
hitting their
their targets.
targets. Coalition
Coalition forces
forces released
released
approximately
approximately 16,000 16,000 precision-guided
precision-guided munitions
munitions against
against
Iraqi
Iraqi forces
forces and
and dropped
dropped some
some 210,000
210,000 unguided
unguided bombs.
bombs. InIn
42
42 days
days ofof around-the-clock
around-the-clock operations,
operations, USAF
USAF flew
flew 59
59
percent
percent ofof the
the nearly
nearly 110,000
110,000 combat
combat sorties.
sorties. U.S.
U.S. aerial
aerial
strength
strength of of approximately
approximately 1,990 1,990 aircraft
aircraft comprised
comprised 75 75
percent
percent ofof total
total coalition
coalition air
air power.
power.
28
28 February
February:: During
During the
the execution
execution of of Desert
Desert Shield/Desert
Shield/Desert
Storm, AFSPACECOM's satellite systems relay 85
Storm, AFSPACECOM's satellite systems relay 85 percent
percent of
of
the
the theater's
theater's communications
communications;; provide
provide meteorological
meteorological data
data
critical
critical to
to weapon
weapon selection
selection andand attack
attack plans;
plans; detect
detect all
all
short-range ballistic missile launches and relayed data to
short-range ballistic missile launches and relayed data to
Army
Army antimissile
antimissile batteries;
batteries; and
and assist
assist the
the navigation
navigation ofof
ground
ground forces
forces maneuvering
maneuvering in in desert
desert terrain.
terrain.
March:
March: MAC
MAC C-5C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies transport
transport relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to Kuwait
Kuwait
following the seven-month occupation and destruction by
following the seven-month occupation and destruction by
Iraqi
Iraqi forces
forces..
March-July:
March-July: Forty-two
Forty-two C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies and
and three
three C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters
of
of the
the 60th
60th and
and 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wings transport more
Wings transport more
than 1,000 tons of fire-fighting equipment and some 100
than 1,000 tons of fire-fighting equipment and some 100
firefighters
firefighters toto the
the Kuwait
Kuwait City
City area
area to
to extinguish
extinguish more
more than
than
500
500 oil
oil well
well fires
fires set
set by
by the
the retreating
retreating Iraqi
Iraqi forces
forces..
11 March-31
March-31 December:
December: MACMAC C-5s
C-5s transport
transport 150
150 tons
tons of
of relief
relief
supplies to Bucharest, Romania, to assist the government in
supplies to Bucharest, Romania, to assist the government in
overcoming
overcoming aa critical
critical economic
economic situation
situation and
and restoring
restoring
stability
stability in
in the
the face
face of
of violent
violent street
street demonstrations
demonstrations..
88 March:
March: The
The first
first Martin
Martin Marietta
Marietta Titan
Titan IV
IV propelled
propelled by
by aa
heavy-lift space booster is launched from Vandenberg AFB.
heavy-lift space booster is launched from Vandenberg AFB.
Augmenting
Augmenting the the space
space shuttle,
shuttle, the
the Titan
Titan IVIV has
has two
two
upper-stage
upper-stage options
options that
that enable
enable it
it to
to carry
carry several
several critical
critical
military
military payloads
payloads..
Early
Early April
April:: Two
Two 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies
carry
carry 200
200 tons
tons of
of medical
medical supplies
supplies to
to Lima,
Lima, Peru,
Peru, after
after the
the

134
134
C-130 Hercules aircraft lifted airborne troops and cargo at the rate of 300
sorties per day during encircling maneuvers in Desert Storm.

outbreak of a
outbreak of a cholera epidemic that
cholera epidemic that afflicted
afflicted nearly
nearly 150,000
150,000
people and
people and killed
killed more
more than 1,000.
than 1,000.
55 April-15
April—15 July
July:: More
More than
than aa million
million Kurds
Kurds flee
flee Iraq
Iraq under
under
pressure
pressure from
from Saddam
Saddam Hussein's
Hussein's forces
forces.. To
To alleviate
alleviate the
the
Kurdish distress, MAC units fly 7,000 tons of relief supplies
Kurdish distress. MAC units fly 7.000 tons of relief supplies
to
to northern
northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey,
Iraq, southeastern Turkey, and
and western Iran..
western Iran
12
12 April:
April: F-15
F-15 Eagle alert crews
Eagle alert crews from
from aa forward
forward operating
operating
base at
base at Galena
Galena Airport, Alaska, make
Airport, Alaska, make their
their first
first interception
interception
of
of aa Soviet
Soviet AN-74
AN-74 Coaler
Coaler aircraft
aircraft..
18 April: USAF
18 April: USAF completes
completes the
the first successful flight
first successful test of
flight test of
the
the Martin Marietta/Boeing ICBM
Martin Marietta/Boeing (small version)
ICBM (small version).. The
The flight
flight
trajectory
trajectory was
was 4,000
4,000 miles
miles from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB AFB toto the
the
Pacific Island target area at the Kwajalein Missile Range .
Pacific Island target area at the Kwajalein Missile Flange.
10 May-13 June
10 May-13 June:: A
A tropical
tropical cyclone
cyclone bearing
bearing winds
winds of
of 150
150
mph
mph strikes the coast
strikes the of Bangladesh
coast of Bangladesh and
and creates
creates 20-foot
20-foot
tidal
tidal waves
waves.. Units
Units of
of the
the Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Command
Command and and
Special Operations transport more than 3,000 tons of relief
Special Operations transport more than 3.000 tons of relief
supplies (including helicopters)
supplies (including helicopters) and
and 510
510 passengers
passengers to to
Dhaka, Bangladesh .
Dhaka, Bangladesh.

13
1355
31 May: Complying
31 May: with the
Complying with the terms
terms ofof the
the 1987
1987 INF
INF Treaty,
Treaty,
the
the USAF
USAF inactivates
inactivates the
the 501st
501st TMWTMW at at RAF
RAF Greenham
Greenham
Common,
Common, United
United Kingdom.
Kingdom. This
This wing,
wing, the
the first
first GLOM
GLCM wing
wing
to
to activate
activate in
in Europe
Europe and
and the
the first
first to
to become
become operational,
operational, is
is
the
the last
last to
to inactivate
inactivate..
June-September
June-September:: InIn response
response to
to the
the extended
extended drought
drought in
in
Ethiopia,
Ethiopia, atat least
least 19
19 humanitarian
humanitarian missions
missions by
by MAC
MAC
organizations
organizations to
to Addis
Addis Ababa
Ababa provide
provide more
more than
than 1,000
1,000 tons
tons
of
of food,
food, farm
farm equipment,
equipment, and
and medical
medical supplies
supplies..
88 June-2
June-2 July
July:: The
The eruption,
eruption, more
more than
than 100,000 feet high,
100,000 feet high, of
of
Mount
Mount Pinatubo
Pinatubo onon the
the island
island of
of Luzon,
Luzon, the
the Philippines,
Philippines, covers
covers
Clark
Clark AB
AB and
and two
two other
other U.S.
U.S. military
military bases
bases with
with two
two feet
feet of
of
volcanic
volcanic ash.
ash. USAF
USAF evacuates
evacuates moremore than
than 15,000
15,000 military
military
personnel
personnel and
and civilian
civilian workers
workers and
and their
their families,
families, and
and provides
provides
during
during Operation
Operation Fiery
Fiery Vigil
Vigil more
more than 2,000 tons
than 2,000 of humani-
tons of humani-
tarian cargo for the thousands of Filipinos who are homeless,
tarian cargo for the thousands of Filipinos who are homeless,
require
require medical
medical attention,
attention, and
and lack
lack food
food and
and clothing.
clothing.
25
25 June
June:: Due
Due toto drought-induced
drought-induced food
food shortages
shortages in
in Kenya,
Kenya,
the
the 60th
60th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing delivers
delivers 80
80 tons
tons of
of food
food rations
rations
to
to Nairobi.
Nairobi.
July-August:
July-August: MAC
MAC unitsunits transport
transport 170170 tons
tons of
of food
food toto
Tirana, Albania, to offset shortages when the communist
Tirana, Albania, to offset shortages when the communist
government
government collapses
collapses atat the
the end
end of
of the
the Cold
Cold War.
War. This
This is
is the
the
first
first time
time since
since 1946
1946 that
that the
the Albanian
Albanian government
government allows
allows
U.S.
U.S. personnel
personnel into
into the
the country.
country.
77 July
July:: After
After a
a drought
drought and
and the
the accompanying
accompanying food
food shortage
shortage
aggravated
aggravated by by civil
civil war,
war, the
the 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing
delivers
delivers a a 70-ton
70-ton cargo
cargo of
of food
food and
and miscellaneous
miscellaneous relief
relief
supplies to N'Djamena, Chad .
supplies to N'Djamena, Chad.
22
22 July:
July: The
The 730th
730th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Squadron
Squadron ofof the
the 445th
445th
Military Airlift Wing delivers nearly 20 tons of medical
Military Airlift Wing delivers nearly 20 tons of medical
supplies
supplies toto Ulan
Ulan Bator,
Bator, Mongolia,
Mongolia, toto overcome
overcome critical
critical
shortages.
shortages. This
This is
is the
the first
first humanitarian
humanitarian mission
mission flown
flown toto
Mongolia by the U.S. Air Force.
Mongolia by the U.S. Air Force.
6-9
6-9 August:
August: MAC units transport
MAC units transport 75
75 tons
tons of
of blankets
blankets and
and
medical supplies to Shanghai, China, where floods in
medical supplies to Shanghai, China, where floods in
central
central and
and eastern
eastern China
China have
have caused
caused more
more than
than 1,000
1,000
fatalities
fatalities and
and have
have left
left hundreds
hundreds of
of thousands
thousands homeless
homeless..

136
136
22 August: USAF
22 August: charters the
USAF charters the Gulf
Gulf War
War air air power
power survey
survey
(GWAPS) to
(GWAPS) to assess
assess the
the role of air
role of air power
power in
In the
the Gulf
Gulf War. The
War. The
GWAPS
GWAPS is is modeled
modeled after
after the
the post-World
post-World War War II
II U.S
U.S..
strategic
strategic bombing
bombing survey
survey in
in form
form and
and style.
style.
15 September: A
15 September: A C-17A
C-17A Globemaster
Globemaster III
III transport
transport makes
makes itsits
first
first flight
flight from
from Long
Long Beach,
Beach, California,
California, to
to the
the Air
Air Force
Force Flight
Flight
Test Center at
Test Center at Edwards
Edwards AFB. Capable of
AFB. Capable of delivering
delivering outsized
outsized
cargo
cargo in in aa tactical
tactical environment,
environment, the
the Globemaster
Globemaster III III can
can
operate
operate from
from the
the same
same small,
small, austere
austere airfields
airfields as
as does
does the
the
C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules transport.
transport.
15 September: The
15 September: first prototype
The first prototype of
of the
the T-1
T-l Jayhawk
Jayhawk flies
flies at
at
Edwards
Edwards AFB
AFB.. Similar
Similar to to the
the Beechjet
Beechjet 400A
400A corporate
corporate
transport, the
transport, the Jayhawk
Jayhawk is is intended
intended forfor specialized
specialized
undergraduate
undergraduate pilot
pilot training
training..
27 September:
27 September: President
President Bush
Bush orders
orders termination
termination ofof SAC's
SAC's
alert, initiated
alert, initiated in
in October
October 1957.
1957. The
The next
next day
day the
the alert
alert forces
forces
cease operations,
cease operations, heralding the successful conclusion of the
heralding the successful conclusion of the
Cold War.
Cold War.
27 September-3
27 October:: A
September-3 October A mutiny
mutiny of
of soldiers
soldiers joined
joined byby
rebellious
rebellious civilians
civilians in Kinshasa, Zaire,
in Kinshasa, Zaire, endangers
endangers the
the lives
lives

Air Force C-5 cargo aircraft delivered many tons of relief supplies to
Armenia after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

137
of
of foreigners
foreigners.. The
The president
president of
of Zaire
Zaire helps
helps the
the foreigners
foreigners
escape. MAC units evacuate more than 1,000 persons.
escape. MAC units evacuate more than 1,000 persons.
October-November
October-November:: Following
Following 16 16 years
years of
of civil
civil war
war and
and a a
deteriorating
deteriorating economy,
economy, Angola
Angola accepts
accepts humanitarian
humanitarian
assistance
assistance from
from the
the United
United States
States.. The
The 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Wing carries 275 tons of relief supplies to Luanda.
Wing carries 275 tons of relief supplies to Luanda.
22 October:
October: Flying
Flying the
the USAF's
USAF's second
second humanitarian
humanitarian mission
mission
to
to Mongolia,
Mongolia, the
the 834th
834th Airlift
Airlift Division
Division transports
transports 15
15 pallets
pallets
of
of medical
medical supplies
supplies andand eight
eight ambulances
ambulances to to Ulan
Ulan Bator.
Bator.
The collapse of the Soviet Union has severed Outer
The collapse of the Soviet Union has severed Outer
Mongolia
Mongolia from
from its
its traditional
traditional source
source of
of medical
medical supplies
supplies..
23
23 October:
October: Military airlift units
Military airlift units transport
transport 146146 tons
tons of
of
medical
medical supplies
supplies and
and relief
relief cargo
cargo to
to Kiev,
Kiev, the
the Ukraine,
Ukraine, to
to
relieve
relieve stresses
stresses to
to the
the economy
economy and and the
the public
public health
health
system associated with
system associated with the
the collapse
collapse of
of the
the Soviet
Soviet Union.
Union.
November:
November: The The MAC
MAC performs
performs its 100th humanitarian
its 100th humanitarian
mission
mission.. It
It is
is in
in relief
relief of
of Afghan
Afghan refugees
refugees fleeing
fleeing to
to Pakistan
Pakistan..
From early March 1986, MAC has transported 1,000 tons
From early March 1986, MAC has transported 1,000 tons of
of
relief
relief cargo,
cargo, utilizing
utilizing C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies and
and C-141
C-141 Starlifters.
Starlifters.
11 November After the
November:: After the crash
crash of
of aa Canadian
Canadian C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules in
in
Greenland,
Greenland, aa Twenty-second
Twenty-second Air Air Force
Force C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy from
from
Elmendorf
Elmendorf AFB
AFB loaded
loaded with
with aa 36-member
36-member search
search and
and rescue
rescue
team
team from
from the
the Alaskan
Alaskan ANG,
ANG, and
and two
two MH-60G
MH-60G Pave
Pave Hawk
Hawk
helicopters
helicopters fly
fly to
to Thule,
Thule, Greenland The American
Greenland.. The American airmen
airmen
locate
locate the
the crash
crash scene
scene some
some 300
300 miles
miles from
from the
the North
North Pole
Pole
and
and rescue
rescue 13
13 survivors.
survivors.
14
14 November:
November: A A C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy of
of the
the 436th
436th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift
Wing
Wing carries 50 tons
carries 50 tons ofof medical
medical and relief supplies
and relief supplies toto
Freetown,
Freetown, Sierra
Sierra Leone,
Leone, to
to alleviate
alleviate the
the economic
economic hardships
hardships
and
and deprivations
deprivations of
of the
the populace.
populace.
26
26 November:
November: The
The lowering
lowering of
of the
the American
American flag
flag at
at Clark
Clark AB
AB
signals
signals the
the closing
closing of
of the
the largest
largest overseas
overseas U .S .
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force
base
base in
in the world as
the world as well
well as
as the
the end
end of
of more
more than
than 9090 years
years
of
of U.S.
U.S. presence
presence there.
there.
66 December:
December: Tropical
Tropical Cyclone
Cyclone Zelda
Zelda batters
batters the
the Marshall
Marshall
Islands
Islands with
with high
high winds,
winds, heavy
heavy rain,
rain, and
and rough
rough seas
seas.. The
The
834th Airlift Division responds with six C-130 Hercules
834th Airlift Division responds with six C-130 Hercules

138
138
aircraft
aircraft loads
loads of
of humanitarian
humanitarian supplies
supplies to
to the
the Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Atoll
Atoll..
17-22
17-22 December
December:: The
The 436th,
436th, 438th,
438th, and
and 439th
439th Airlift
Airlift Wings
Wings
transport 238 tons of food and relief supplies to the former
transport 238 tons of food and relief supplies to the former
Soviet
Soviet cities of Moscow
cities of Moscow andand Saint
Saint Petersburg
Petersburg inin Russia;
Russia;
Minsk
Minsk inin Byelorussia
Byelorussia;; and
and Yerevan
Yerevan in in Armenia.
Armenia. TheseThese
humanitarian
humanitarian missions
missions seek
seek to
to alleviate
alleviate food
food shortages
shortages andand
other
other scarcities
scarcities of
of everyday
everyday necessities
necessities resulting
resulting from
from thethe
economic
economic disintegration
disintegration of
of the
the Soviet
Soviet Union.
Union.
21 December:: The
21 December The Rockwell
Rockwell AC-130U
AC-130U Spectre
Spectre gunship
gunship flies
flies
for
for the
the first
first time
time.. The
The new-generation
new-generation gunship
gunship combines
combines
increased firepower, reliability, and accuracy with the
increased firepower, reliability, and accuracy with the latest
latest
target-location
target-location technology
technology..

11992
9t>
17
17 January:
January: In
In aa move
move to
to modernize
modernize its
its fleet
fleet of
of training
training
aircraft,
aircraft, the
the Air
Air Force
Force accepts
accepts the
the first
first production
production model
model
T-lA Jayhawk.
T-lAJayhawk.
20-25
20-25 January:
January: InIn response
response to
to a
a State
State Department
Department request,
request, aa
60th
60th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy airlifts
airlifts 36
36 pallets
pallets of
of medical
medical
supplies weighing 56
supplies weighing 56 tons
tons from
from Japan
Japan toto Mongolia,
Mongolia, where
where
health care resources are insufficient .
health care resources are insufficient.
30 January : AFSPACECOM
30 January: AFSPACECOM assumesassumes control
control of
of Defense
Defense
Department
Department satellites
satellites and
and the
the operation
operation and
and management
management ofof
the
the Air
Air Force
Force Satellite
Satellite Control
Control Network.
Network.
66 February
February:: Four
Four C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft of
of the
the 435th
435th
Tactical Airlift Wing transport food and medical supplies
Tactical Airlift Wing transport food and medical supplies
from
from American
American air
air bases
bases in
in Germany
Germany toto Lithuania,
Lithuania, which
which
in late 1991 had secured independence from the Soviet
in late 1991 had secured independence from the Soviet
Union.
Union.
10-26 February:: Provide
10-26 February Provide Hope
Hope I,I, aa humanitarian
humanitarian airlift
airlift
operation,
operation, delivers
delivers thousands
thousands ofof tons
tons of
of food
food and
and medical
medical
supplies
supplies toto the
the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of of Independent
Independent States,
States,
former
former republics
republics of
of the
the recently
recently dissolved
dissolved USSR.
USSR. USAF
USAF flies
flies
65
65 C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy and
and C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter missions
missions in
in support
support of
of
the
the operation.
operation.

13
1399
29
29 February
February :: Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Hope
Hope II
II begins.
begins. Like
Like Provide
Provide
Hope
Hope I,I, it
it transports
transports American
American food
food and
and medical
medical supplies
supplies to
to
the
the former
former USSR.
USSR. The
The U.S
U.S.. Air
Air Force
Force flies
flies in
in supplies,
supplies, while
while
the
the U.S.
U.S. NavyNavy and
and U.S
U.S.. Army
Army transport
transport more
more cargo
cargo by
by sea
sea
and
and land
land..
4
4 March
March:: Two
Two B-52
B-52 Stratofortresses
Stratofortresses land
land in
in Russia
Russia on
on aa
friendship
friendship mission,
mission, demonstrating
demonstrating that
that the
the Cold
Cold War
War is
is
over.
over. This
This is
is the
the first
first landing
landing by
by U.S
U.S.. bombers
bombers in
in Russia
Russia
since World War II.
since World War II.
15 March-18 April:
15 March-18 April: USAF
USAF C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy and
and C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules
aircraft
aircraft transport
transport moremore than
than 165
165 tons
tons of
of food,
food, medical
medical
supplies,
supplies, clothing,
clothing, blankets,
blankets, and
and other
other cargo
cargo to
to eastern
eastern
Turkey for the relief of earthquake victims.
Turkey for the relief of earthquake victims.
19
19 March
March:: Two
Two USAF
USAF F-15
F-15 Eagles
Eagles intercept
intercept two
two Russian
Russian
Tu-95
Tu-95 Bear
Bear bombers
bombers off
off the
the Alaskan
Alaskan coastthe
coast—the first
first such
such
sighting
sighting since
since the
the breakup
breakup ofof the
the Soviet
Soviet Union.
Union.
24
24 March:
March: The
The last
last USAF
USAF fighter
fighter aircraft
aircraft to
to be
be stationed
stationed in
in
Spain
Spain departs,
departs, ending
ending a
a 26-year
26-year span
span ofof service
service in
in that
that
country.
country.
24 March : The
24 March: The U.S
U.S.. joins
joins 24
24 other
other nations
nations in
in signing
signing the
the
Open
Open Skies
Skies Treaty,
Treaty, which
which allows
allows unarmed
unarmed aerial
aerial
reconnaissance
reconnaissance flights
flights over
over any
any signatory
signatory nation.
nation.
April
April:: After
After an
an outbreak
outbreak of of oil
oil fires,
fires, five
five USAF
USAF C-141
C-141
Starlifter
Starlifter aircraft
aircraft deliver
deliver tons
tons of
of fire-fighting
fire-fighting equipment
equipment to
to
Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic.
Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic.
11 April:
April: AA 437th
437th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter drops
drops 115
115
barrels
barrels ofof aviation
aviation fuel
fuel to
to a
a floating
floating U.S .-Russian ice
U.S.-Russian ice station
station
in
in Antarctica
Antarctica to to be
be used
used inin its
its scientific
scientific research
research
helicopters
helicopters..
77 April:
April: The
The United
United States
States recognizes
recognizes the
the independence
independence of of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia, which declare
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia, which declare
independence
independence from from Serb-dominated
Serb-dominated Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia.. Serb
Serb
rebellions
rebellions in
in Croatia
Croatia and
and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina precipitate
precipitate aa
protracted
protracted civil
civil war.
war.
18
18 April:
April: USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft begin
begin airlifting
airlifting
humanitarian
humanitarian relief
relief supplies,
supplies, such
such as
as food,
food, medicine,
medicine, and
and
blankets,
blankets, toto Sarajevo,
Sarajevo, capital
capital ofof the
the new
new republic
republic of of

140
140
Bosnia-Herzegovina, which
Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is
is reeling
reeling from the collapse
from the collapse of
of
the centralized economy.
the centralized economy.
24
24 April
April:: Two Peruvian fighters
Two Peruvian fighters attack
attack and
and heavily
heavily damage
damage
an unarmed USAF C-130 Hercules aircraft flying in
an unarmed USAF C-130 Hercules aircraft flying in
international
international airspace
airspace off
off Peru For making
Peru.. For making a a safe
safe
emergency landing, the C-130 crew will receive the Mackay
emergency landing, the C-130 crew will receive the Mackay
Trophy.
Trophy.
1-11
1-11 May:
May: After
After race
race riots
riots erupt
erupt in Los Angeles,
in Los Angeles, MAC
MAC aircraft
aircraft
transport troops, police, and
transport troops, police, and their
their equipment
equipment to
to southern
southern
California.
California.
3-4 May:: Following
3-4 May Following aa military
military coup
coup in
in west
west Africa,
Africa, aa USAF
USAF
C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter and
and a a C-130 Hercules transport
C-130 Hercules transport aircraft
aircraft
airlift 350 endangered foreign nationals, including
airlift 350 endangered foreign nationals, including
Americans,
Americans, from
from Sierra
Sierra Leone.
Leone.
7-8
7-8 May:
May: The
The Command
Command BandBand of
of the AFRES marches
the AFRES marches in
in aa
parade in Moscow, becoming the
parade in Moscow, becoming the first
first U.S .
U.S. military
military band
band to
to
visit
visit the
the Russian
Russian capital.
capital.
Mid-1992:: The
Mid-1992 The last
last EC-135
EC-135 aircraft
aircraft ceases Looking Glass
ceases Looking Glass
operations.
operations.
11 June
June:: In
In a major reorganization,
a major reorganization, the
the U.S Air Force
U.S.. Air Force
inactivates SAC, TAC, and MAC. It also
inactivates SAC, TAC, and MAC. It also activates
activates Air
Air
Combat
Combat Command
Command (ACC)
(ACC) and
and Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command (AMC),
(AMC),
comprising most of
comprising most of the
the resources
resources of
of the
the inactivated
inactivated
commands
commands..
11 June
June:: DOD
DOD activates
activates a
a new
new unified command, the
unified command, the United
United
States
States Strategic
Strategic Command, composed of
Command, composed of Air
Air Force
Force and
and Navy
Navy
elements. The last commander of SAC, Gen George L.
elements. The last commander of SAC, Gen George L.
Butler,
Butler, becomes
becomes the first commander
the first commander of of the United States
the United States
Strategic Command.
Strategic Command.
30
30 June
June:: AMC completes the
AMC completes the withdrawal
withdrawal of U.S.. stockpiles
of U.S stockpiles
overseas
overseas of nuclear artillery
of nuclear artillery shells,
shells, Lance missile warheads,
Lance missile warheads,
and naval
and naval depth
depth charges
charges in
in support
support of
of President
President George
George
Bush's Nuclear Forces
Bush's Nuclear Forces Initiative
Initiative..
11 July: Continuing reorganization,
July: Continuing reorganization, the
the Air Force inactivates
Air Force inactivates
AFLC
AFLC andand AFSC, replacing them
AFSC, replacing them with
with the
the Air Force Materiel
Air Force Materiel
Command (AFMC) .
Command (AFMC).

14
1411
3
3 July
July:: The
The U.S.
U.S. European
European Command
Command launches
launches Operation
Operation
Provide Promise to provide regular relief flights to Bosnia-
Provide Promise to provide regular relief flights to Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
Herzegovina. Eventually
Eventually USAF
USAF delivers
delivers tens
tens of
of thousands
thousands ofof
tons
tons of
of food,
food, medical
medical supplies,
supplies, and
and other
other humanitarian
humanitarian cargo
cargo
to
to Sarajevo
Sarajevo andand other
other Bosnian
Bosnian communities,
communities, usingusing C-130,
C-130,
C-141,
C-141, C-5,
C-5, and
and C-9
C-9 aircraft.
aircraft.
2-20
2-20 August:
August: AMC
AMC transports
transports U.SU.S.. forces
forces to
to Kuwait
Kuwait in
in
support
support of
of Operation
Operation Intrinsic
Intrinsic Action,
Action, an
an exercise
exercise intended
intended
as
as a
a show
show of
of force
force to
to Iraq
Iraq..
12
12 August-7
August-7 October: USAF C-130s
October: USAF C-130s fly
fly missions
missions inin support
support ofof
Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Transition
Transition inin Angola.
Angola. InIn preparation
preparation forfor
Angola's first democratic
Angola's first democratic elections,
elections, the
the aircraft
aircraft transport
transport
demobilized
demobilized soldiers
soldiers to
to their
their homes
homes after 16 years
after 16 years of
of civil
civil war.
war.
18
18 August:
August: Operation
Operation Southern
Southern Watch,
Watch, which
which forbids
forbids Iraqi
Iraqi
flights
flights south
south of
of 32
32 degrees
degrees north
north latitude,
latitude, begins.
begins.
21
21 August-28 February 1993
August-28 February 1993:: After
After drought
drought andand civil
civil war
war
produce
produce mass
mass starvation
starvation inin Somalia
Somalia and
and forces
forces thousands
thousands
of
of people
people to
to enter
enter refugee
refugee camps,
camps, USAFUSAF aircraft
aircraft fly
fly more
more
than 3,000 missions
than 3,000 missions transporting
transporting overover 23,000
23,000 tons
tons of
of food,
food,
water,
water, medicine,
medicine, and
and other
other relief
relief supplies
supplies.. This is called
This is called
Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Relief.
Relief.
25
25 August-28
August-28 October:
October: After
After Hurricane
Hurricane Andrew
Andrew hits
hits southern
southern
Florida
Florida with
with sustained
sustained winds
winds ofof 140
140 mph,
mph, humanitarian
humanitarian
airlift
airlift flights
flights transport
transport 13,500
13,500 relief
relief workers
workers and
and more
more
than 21,000 tons of relief supplies on 724 missions .
than 21,000 tons of relief supplies on 724 missions.
Catastrophic
Catastrophic hurricane
hurricane damage
damage forces
forces Homestead
Homestead AFB
AFB to
to
close
close permanently.
permanently.
31
31 August-Early
August-Early September:
September: A A USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 airlifts
airlifts 70
70 children
children
suffering from cancer in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear
suffering from cancer in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear
plant
plant accident
accident in
in the
the former
former USSR
USSR from
from Minsk,
Minsk, Byelorussia,
Byelorussia,
to Brussels, Belgium, for specialized medical treatment.
to Brussels, Belgium, for specialized medical treatment.
1-25
1-25 September:
September: After
After Typhoon
Typhoon Omar
Omar hits
hits Guam
Guam with
with
150-mph winds and 16-inch rains, USAF transports 750
150-mph winds and 16-inch rains, USAF transports 750
relief
relief workers
workers and
and almost
almost 2,000
2,000 tons
tons of
of supplies
supplies to
to the
the
western
western Pacific
Pacific island
island..
12
12 September-18
September-18 October:
October: Following
Following Typhoon
Typhoon Iniki,
Iniki, which
which
devastates Kauai in the Hawaiian archipelago with 130-mph
devastates Kauai in the Hawaiian archipelago with 130-mph

142
142
winds
winds and
and heavy
heavy rains,
rains, USAF
USAF and
and ANG
ANG cargo aircraft fly
cargo aircraft fly
more
more than
than 600
600 missions
missions carrying
carrying 9,200
9,200 tons
tons of
of relief
relief
supplies and 8,600 passengers .
supplies and 8,600 passengers.
13-29
13-29 September:
September: As
As part
part of
of Operation
Operation Impressive
Impressive Lift,
Lift, AMC
AMC
moves United Nations peacekeeping troops from Pakistan to
moves United Nations peacekeeping troops from Pakistan to
Somalia.
Somalia. In 94 missions,
In 94 missions, USAF
USAF cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft move
move 974974
passengers
passengers and
and 1,168
1,168 tons
tons of
of equipment
equipment and supplies..
and supplies
23-25
23-25 October:
October: Two
Two USAF
USAF C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules transport
transport aircraft
aircraft
evacuate
evacuate 96
96 Americans
Americans from
from Liberia
Liberia because
because of
of aa civil
civil war
war
there.
there.
25
25 October:
October: AA USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter evacuates
evacuates Americans
Americans
and other
and other foreign
foreign nationals
nationals from
from Tajikistan
Tajikistan because
because of
of civil
civil
disturbances
disturbances in
in the
the former
former Soviet
Soviet republic
republic..
4-11
4-11 November:
November: Five
Five USAF
USAF aircraft,
aircraft, four
four C-5
C-5 Galaxies,
Galaxies, and
and
one
one C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter transport
transport 236
236 tons
tons of
of flour
flour from
from the
the
United States to Armenia to relieve food shortages after the
United States to Armenia to relieve food shortages after the
collapse
collapse of
of the
the Soviet
Soviet Union
Union and
and its
its centralized
centralized economy.
economy.
30
30 November:
November: Two
Two 62d
62d Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-141s
C-141s collide
collide in
in midair
midair
and
and crash
crash in Montana during
in Montana during aa nighttime
nighttime air
air refueling
refueling
mission.
mission.
6-20
6-20 December: After a
December: After a flood
flood in
in Pakistan,
Pakistan, six
six USAF
USAF C-5
C-5
Galaxy missions airlift 415 tons of engineering vehicles and
Galaxy missions airlift 415 tons of engineering vehicles and
equipment to Islamabad.
equipment to Islamabad.
99 December-3
December-3 MayMay 1993
1993:: Operation
Operation Restore
Restore Hope
Hope supports
supports
United
United Nations
Nations peacekeeping
peacekeeping efforts
efforts in
in Somalia.
Somalia. AMC
AMC flies
flies
more
more than 1,000 airlift
than 1,000 missions, carrying
airlift missions, carrying more
more than
than 50,000
50,000
passengers
passengers and
and 40,000
40,000 short
short tons
tons of
of cargo
cargo.. AFRES
AFRES crews
crews fly
fly
190 sorties,
190 sorties, carrying
carrying 1,076
1,076 passengers
passengers andand more
more than
than
1,500 tons of cargo
1,500 tons of cargo..
15 December : England
15 December: England AFB;
AFB; Eaker
Eaker AFB,
AFB, Arkansas;
Arkansas; and
and
George AFB close.
George AFB close.
16
16 December
December:: On On a a night
night flight,
flight, aa 668th
668th Bomb
Bomb Squadron
Squadron
B-52 loses two engines when one explodes and damages its
B-52 loses two engines when one explodes and damages its
neighbor
neighbor.. At
At about
about the
the same
same time,
time, two
two more
more engines
engines on
on the
the
same
same side
side of
of the
the aircraft
aircraft flame
flame out.
out. Frantically
Frantically maneuvering
maneuvering
with
with all four engines
all four engines on on the
the left
left side
side of
of the
the aircraft
aircraft shut
shut
down,
down, the
the crew
crew is
is able
able to
to restart the two
restart the two flamed-out
flamed-out engines
engines

143
143
and
and land
land safely.
safely. For
For this
this extraordinary
extraordinary feat,
feat, the
the crew
crew will
will
receive
receive the
the Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.
27 December: A
27 December: A USAF
USAF F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon shoots
shoots down
down an
an
Iraqi
Iraqi MiG-25
MiG-25 while
while patrolling
patrolling a
a United
United Nations
Nations no-fly
no-fly zone
zone
near
near the
the Iraqi
Iraqi border.
border.

1JJ113
1993
January: Presidents
33 January: Presidents George
George Bush
Bush of
of the
the United
United States
States and
and
Boris
Boris Yeltsin
Yeltsin of
of Russia
Russia sign
sign the
the second
second Strategic
Strategic Arms
Arms
Reduction
Reduction Treaty
Treaty (START
(START II),
II), the
the most
most far-reaching
far-reaching nuclear
nuclear
arms
arms reduction
reduction pact
pact in
in history.
history. The
The agreement
agreement calls
calls for
for the
the
United
United States
States and
and Russia
Russia toto eliminate
eliminate all
all ICBMs
ICBMs carrying
carrying
multiple,
multiple, independently
independently targetable
targetable reentry
reentry vehicles
vehicles andand
reduce
reduce the
the number
number of of nuclear
nuclear weapons
weapons carried
carried byby their
their
bombers.
bombers.
13 January: AMC
13 January: AMC begins
begins airlifting
airlifting forces
forces to
to southwest
southwest Asia
Asia in
in
support
support of
of Southern
Southern Watch
Watch II
II to
to enforce
enforce a
a no-fly
no-fly zone
zone in
in
southern
southern Iraq
Iraq near
near the
the borders
borders of
of Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia and
and Kuwait.
Kuwait.
13 January: President
13 January: President Bush
Bush orders
orders punitive
punitive air
air strikes
strikes
against
against 3232 Iraqi
Iraqi missile
missile sites
sites and
and air
air defense
defense command
command
centers
centers after
after an
an Iraqi
Iraqi troop
troop foray
foray across
across the
the newly
newly demarcated
demarcated
border
border with
with Kuwait
Kuwait and
and active
active Iraqi
Iraqi surface-to-air
surface-to-air missile
missile
sites
sites are
are discovered
discovered south
south of
of the
the 32
32 degrees
degrees north
north latitude.
latitude.
13 January: USAF
13 January: USAF Maj
Maj Susan
Susan Helms,
Helms, aa member
member ofof the
the space
space
shuttle Endeavour crew, becomes the first U.S . military
shuttle Endeavour crew, becomes the first U.S. military
woman
woman inin space
space..
17 January:: A
17 January A USAF
USAF F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon shoots
shoots down
down an
an
Iraqi
Iraqi MiG
MiG over
over northern
northern Iraq
Iraq..
18 January:: In
18 January In response
response to
to being
being fired
fired on,
on, Provide
Provide Comfort
Comfort
F-4G
F-4G Phantom
Phantom Its IIs attack
attack surface-to-air
surface-to-air missile
missile sites
sites in
in
northern
northern Iraq
Iraq.. F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcons
Falcons bomb
bomb anan Iraqi
Iraqi airfield
airfield
after
after being
being shot
shot at
at by
by antiaircraft
antiaircraft artillery
artillery batteries.
batteries.
18 January:: The
18 January The United
United States,
States, the
the United
United Kingdom,
Kingdom, France,
France,
Canada,
Canada, Germany,
Germany, andand other
other nations
nations airlifting
airlifting relief
relief
supplies
supplies to
to Sarajevo,
Sarajevo, Bosnia,
Bosnia, establish
establish a
a joint
joint air
air operations
operations
cell
cell in
in Zagreb,
Zagreb, Croatia.
Croatia.

144
144
22 February
February:: The
The U .S . Air
U.S. Air Force
Force begins
begins aeromedical
aeromedical
evacuation flights to transport noncombatant victims of
evacuation flights to transport noncombatant victims of the
the
Bosnian
Bosnian war
war from
from Zagreb
Zagreb toto the
the United
United States
States for
for medical
medical
treatment.
treatment.
13
13 February-9
February-9 March:
March: In
In Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Refuge,
Refuge, U.S
U.S.. Air
Air
Force cargo aircraft transport tons of food and other relief
Force cargo aircraft transport tons of food and other relief
supplies
supplies from
from Hawaii
Hawaii to to Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll
Atoll in
in the
the Marshall
Marshall
Islands to sustain 535 Chinese who had taken refuge there
Islands to sustain 535 Chinese who had taken refuge there
after
after their
their ship
ship had
had broken
broken down
down in
in the
the mid-Pacific
mid-Pacific..
19
19 February
February:: The
The 64th
64th Flying
Flying Training
Training Wing
Wing launches
launches the
the
first
first student
student sortie
sortie in
in the
the new
new T-lA
T-1A Jayhawk
Jayhawk trainer
trainer
aircraft .
aircraft.
28
28 February
February:: The
The 435th
435th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing begins
begins the
the first
first Provide
Provide
Promise
Promise airdrop
airdrop missions
missions over
over parts
parts of
of eastern
eastern Bosnia,
Bosnia, aa
haven
haven for
for refugees
refugees who
who had
had fled
fled their
their villages
villages in
in the
the face
face of
of
advancing
advancing Serb
Serb forces
forces..
13-14
13-14 March:
March: After
After aa gigantic
gigantic blizzard
blizzard called
called the
the storm
storm of
of the
the
century
century swept over aa third
swept over third of
of the United States
the United States from
from the
the
Gulf of Mexico to New England, Air Force helicopters of the
Gulf of Mexico to New England, Air Force helicopters of the
301 st Rescue
301st Rescue Squadron
Squadron rescue
rescue 93
93 flood
flood victims
victims in
in Florida.
Florida.
31
31 March
March:: The
The United Nations Security
United Nations Security Council authorizes aa
Council authorizes
NATO-enforced
NATO-enforced no-fly
no-fly zone
zone over
over Bosnia
Bosnia toto discourage
discourage the
the
use
use of
of warplanes
warplanes inin the
the Bosnian
Bosnian civil
civil war.
war. Operation
Operation Deny
Deny
Flight
Flight will
will begin
begin on
on 55 April.
April.
31 March:: Myrtle
31 March Myrtle Beach
Beach AFB, South Carolina,
AFB, South Carolina, closes,
closes, and
and
flying operations cease at MacDill AFB.
flying operations cease at MacDill AFB.
April
April:: USAF
USAF units
units inin Alaska
Alaska participate
participate in the first
in the first joint
joint
exercise
exercise with the Russian
with the Russian air force, aa search
air force, search and
and rescue
rescue
exercise
exercise in
in Siberia.
Siberia.
28
28 April
April:: Secretary
Secretary of
of Defense
Defense Les
Les Aspin
Aspin announces
announces a a newnew
policy that women will be allowed to serve in combat roles,
policy that women will be allowed to serve in combat roles,
which permits women
which permits women USAF
USAF pilots
pilots to
to fly
fly combat
combat aircraft
aircraft..
17-29
17-29 May:
May: Twenty-four
Twenty-four C-5
C-5 Galaxy and C-141
Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter
missions transport United
missions transport United Nations
Nations troops
troops and
and equipment
equipment to
to
Cambodia
Cambodia toto oversee that country's
oversee that country's first
first free
free elections
elections since
since
1970
1970..

14
1455
1I June
June:: In
In conjunction
conjunction with
with the
the reduction
reduction of forces
of forces in
in
Germany, USAFE closes Wueschheim and
Germany, USAFE closes Wueschheim and Lindsey Air
Lindsey Air
Stations.
Stations.
11
II June
June:: USAF
USAF AC-130
AC-130 Spectre
Spectre gunships
gunships participate
participate inin aa
United
United Nations
Nations raid
raid on
on Somali
Somali warlord
warlord forces
forces in
in retaliation
retaliation
for
for aa 55 June
June attack
attack on
on United
United Nations
Nations forces in Mogadishu.
forces in Mogadishu.
17
17 June
June:: Lt
Lt Col
Col Patricia
Patricia Fornes
Fornes assumes
assumes command
command of of the
the
740th Missile Squadron at Minot AFB. She is the first
740th Missile Squadron at Minot AFB. She is the first
woman
woman commander
commander of of aa combat
combat missile
missile squadron
squadron..
29 June: The
29 June: The OC-135B
OC-135B Open
Open Skies
Skies reconnaissance
reconnaissance aircraft
aircraft
is
is successfully
successfully tested
tested at
at Wright-Patterson
Wright-Patterson AFB.
AFB. It
It will
will be
be
used under an international treaty that allows surveillance
used under an international treaty that allows surveillance
over
over other
other treaty
treaty nations.
nations.
30 June:: Wurtsmith
30 June Wurtsmith AFB
AFB closes
closes after
after being
being an
an active
active military
military
installation
installation since
since 1924
1924..
11 July:
July: Air
Air Training
Training Command
Command is is redesignated
redesignated the
the Air
Air
Education
Education and
and Training
Training Command
Command (AETC),
(AETC), to
to which
which Air
Air Uni-
Uni-
versity,
versity, now
now ceasing
ceasing to
to be
be a
a major
major command,
command, isis assigned
assigned..
AETC
AETC activates
activates the
the 392d
392d Space
Space and
and Missile
Missile Training
Training
Squadron
Squadron at at Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB,
AFB, combining
combining missile
missile and
and space
space
training that had been conducted by ACC and Air Training
training that had been conducted by ACC and Air Training
Command squadrons at
Command squadrons at separate
separate bases.
bases.
11 July
July:: The
The Twentieth
Twentieth Air
Air Force,
Force, which
which is
is responsible
responsible for
for
day-to-day
day-to-day operation
operation of
of the
the nation's
nation's ICBM
ICBM force,
force, transfers
transfers
from
from ACC
ACC toto Air
Air Force
Force Space
Space Command.
Command.
1I July
July:: The
The ACC
ACC transfers
transfers Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB
AFB to
to AFSPACECOM,
AFSPACECOM,
which activates the Fourteenth Air Force to perform missile
which activates the Fourteenth Air Force to perform missile
warning, space surveillance, and launch and satellite
warning, space surveillance, and launch and satellite
control.
control.
5-12 July:: USAF
5-12 July USAF cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft airlift
airlift American soldiers and
American soldiers and
their
their equipment
equipment from
from Germany
Germany to to Macedonia
Macedonia to to help
help United
United
Nations
Nations forces
forces prevent
prevent the
the spread
spread ofof fighting
fighting in
in the
the former
former
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
11
II July-1
July-1 August:
August: One
One ofof the
the worst
worst floods
floods in
in American
American
history
history inundates
inundates 16,000
16,000 square
square miles
miles in
in eight
eight Midwestern
Midwestern
states
states along
along the
the upper
upper Mississippi
Mississippi and
and lower
lower Missouri
Missouri
Rivers . The Air Force responds by airlifting almost 800
Rivers. The Air Force responds by airlifting almost 800 tons
tons

146
146
of relief equipment
of relief equipment and supplies, including
and supplies, including water
water
purification units and
purification units million empty
and 11 million empty sandbags,
sandbags, on
on C-5
C-5
Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter
Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft
aircraft..
19 July:: DOD
19 July DOD lifts
lifts aa 50-year ban on
50-year ban on homosexuals
homosexuals inin the
the
military by establishing a "don't ask, don't
military by establishing a "don't ask, don't tell"
tell" policy,
policy,
although
although itit continues
continues toto forbid homosexual conduct
forbid homosexual conduct inin the
the
military .
military.
August:: Dr.
66 August Dr. Sheila
Sheila E.
E. Widnall is sworn
Widnall is sworn in
in as
as Secretary
Secretary of
of
the Air Force, becoming the first woman armed
the Air Force, becoming the first woman armed services
services
secretary.
secretary.
11-15
11-15 August: After a
August: After a flood
flood in
in Nepal
Nepal washes
washes out out bridges,
bridges,
three 436th
three 436th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-5
C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies airlift
airlift at
at least
least 190
190
tons of bridge components from England.
tons of bridge components from England.
20 August: USAFE
20 August: USAFE turns
turns over
over RAF Woodbridge to
RAF Woodbridge to the
the British.
British.
27
27 September: Gen James
September: Gen James H.H. Doolittle,
Doolittle, who
who led the first
led the first air
air
raid on Tokyo and commanded the Eighth Air Force during
raid on Tokyo and commanded the Eighth Air Force during
World
World War II, dies
War II, dies at
at the age of
the age of 96.
96.
30 September:: The
30 September The following
following U Air Force
.S. Air
U.S. Force bases
bases close:
close:
Chanute AFB, Mather AFB,
Chanute AFB, Mather AFB, Williams
Williams AFB,
AFB, Bergstrom
Bergstrom AFB,
AFB,
and Carswell AFB . Additionally, USAFE turns over RAF
and Carswell AFB. Additionally, USAFE turns over RAF
Bentwaters to
Bentwaters to the
the British.
British.
11 October: AFRES activates
October: AFRES activates its
its first B-52 Stratofortress
first B-52 Stratofortress
unit, the 93d Bomb Squadron, at
unit, the 93d Bomb Squadron, at Barksdale
Barksdale AFB.
AFB.
2-4 October: After
2-4 October: After earthquakes
earthquakes hit central India,
hit central India, two
two AMC
AMC
C-5 Galaxies airlift 1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 950 tents,
C-5 Galaxies airlift 1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 950 tents,
18,550
18,550 five-gallon water containers,
five-gallon water containers, 2222 pallets of blankets,
pallets of blankets,
and other relief supplies to Bombay.
and other relief supplies to Bombay.
3-4 October: Despite
3-4 October: Despite enemy
enemy fire
fire and his own
and his own injuries,
injuries, USAF
USAF
pararescueman TSgt Tim Wilkerson treats injured U
pararescueman TSgt Tim Wilkerson treats injured .S .
U.S.
Army
Army Rangers
Rangers during
during aa battle
battle in Mogadishu, Somalia.
in Mogadishu, Somalia. For
For
his heroism, he earns the Air
his heroism, he earns the Air Force
Force Cross.
Cross.
5-13
5-13 October:
October: After
After a a 15-hour
15-hour pitched battle between
pitched battle between U .S.
U.S.
Army Rangers and forces loyal to Mohammed Farah Aidid in
Army Rangers and forces loyal to Mohammed Farah Aidid in
Mogadishu,
Mogadishu, USAF
USAF C-5 Galaxy and
C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter aircraft
C-141 Starlifter aircraft
transport 1,300 troops, 18 M-1
transport 1,300 troops, 18 M-l Abrams
Abrams tanks,
tanks, and
and 44
44
Bradley
Bradley infantry fighting vehicles
infantry fighting vehicles from the United
from the United States
States to
to

14
1477
Somalia
Somalia in
in nine
nine days.
days. The
The operation
operation is
is nicknamed
nicknamed Restore
Restore
Hope
Hope 11.
II.
88 October:
October: Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Promise,
Promise, thethe airlift
airlift of
of
humanitarian
humanitarian relief
relief supplies
supplies toto Bosnia,
Bosnia, surpasses
surpasses in in duration
duration
(but
(but not
not in
in tonnage
tonnage oror missions)
missions) thethe Berlin
Berlin Airlift,
Airlift, becoming
becoming
the
the longest
longest sustained
sustained relief
relief operation
operation in
in USAF
USAF history.
history.
October-November
October-November:: WhenWhen forest
forest fires
fires burn
burn more
more than
than
167,000
167,000 acres
acres in
in southern
southern California,
California, six
six AFRES
AFRES and
and ANG
ANG
C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft help
help dispense
dispense over
over 1,000
1,000 tons
tons of
of
fire retardant.
fire retardant.
November:
November: Lt
Lt Col
Col Betty
Betty Mullis
Mullis becomes
becomes the
the first
first woman
woman toto
command
command an an AFRES
AFRES flying
flying unit,
unit, the
the 336th
336th Air
Air Refueling
Refueling
Squadron
Squadron..
2-13
2-13 December
December:: USAF
USAF Col
Col Richard
Richard OO.. Covey
Covey pilots
pilots the
the space
space
shuttle Endeavour on
shuttle Endeavour on a
a mission
mission that
that repairs
repairs the
the $2
$2 billion
billion
Hubble
Hubble Space
Space Telescope.
Telescope.
88 December
December:: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force destroys
destroys the
the first
first of
of 450
450
LGM-30F
LGM-30F Minuteman
Minuteman IIII missile
missile silos
silos scheduled
scheduled for
for demolition
demolition
under
under the
the 1991
1991 Strategic
Strategic Arms
Arms Reduction
Reduction Treaty.
Treaty.
17 December : The
17 December: The first
first B-2
B-2 Spirit
Spirit bomber
bomber arrives
arrives at
at
Whiteman
Whiteman AFB,
AFB, Missouri
Missouri.. The
The B-2
B-2 is
is the
the first
first "stealth"
"stealth"
heavy
heavy bomber.
bomber.

11994
J9)4
January:
January: Hungary,
Hungary, Romania,
Romania, and
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria grant
grant overflight
overflight
rights for F-16 Fighting Falcons deploying from Germany to
rights for F-16 Fighting Falcons deploying from Germany to
Turkey,
Turkey, saving
saving them
them two
two hours
hours of
of flight
flight time
time.. This
This is
is the
the
first
first flight
flight of
of USAF
USAF fighters
fighters on
on an
an operational
operational mission
mission over
over
these
these countries
countries since
since World
World War
War II.
II.
4
4 January:
January: A
A C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft squadron
squadron composed
composed ofof
AFRES
AFRES andand ANG
ANG personnel
personnel joins
joins Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Promise
Promise
to
to deliver
deliver relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to Bosnia.
Bosnia. ItIt is
is called
called "Delta
"Delta
Squadron" and operates from Rhein-Main AB under the
Squadron" and operates from Rhein-Main AB under the
435th
435th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing..
10
10 January
January:: Crewmen
Crewmen from
from aa 56th
56th Rescue
Rescue Squadron
Squadron
HH-60G
HH-60G Pave
Pave Hawk
Hawk helicopter
helicopter free
free six
six sailors
sailors from
from their
their

148
148
damaged
damaged tugboat
tugboat off
off the
the coast
coast of
of Iceland,
Iceland, earning
earning the
the
MackayTrophy.
MackayTrophy.
13 January:: The
13 January The final
final F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle of
of the
the 32d
32d Fighter
Fighter Group
Group
departs
departs Soesterberg
Soesterberg AB,
AB, ending
ending 40
40 years
years of
of U.S Air Force
U.S.. Air Force
operations in the Netherlands .
operations in the Netherlands.
17-25 January:: After
17-25 January an earthquake
After an earthquake strikes
strikes the
the Los
Los Angeles
Angeles
area
area onon 1717 January,
January, sixsix AMC
AMC C-5 Galaxy and
C-5 Galaxy and C-141
C-141
Starlifter
Starlifter missions
missions transport
transport 270270 disaster
disaster specialists
specialists and
and
340,000
340,000 pounds
pounds of
of cargo,
cargo, including
including fire
fire trucks,
trucks, generators,
generators,
and
and communications
communications vans,
vans, to
to southern
southern California
California..
25 January:: A
25 January A USAF
USAF Titan
Titan IIII booster
booster launches
launches the
the unmanned
unmanned
space
space probe
probe Clementine
Clementine II toward
toward the
the moon
moon.. This
This is
is the
the first
first
American lunar mission
American lunar mission since
since Apollo
Apollo 17
17 in
in 1972
1972..
30 January: The
30 January: The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force inactivates
inactivates the
the 717th
717th AB
AB
Squadron
Squadron and
and closes
closes Ankara AS, Turkey.
Ankara AS, Turkey.
February::. USAF
February USAF aircraft
aircraft deploy
deploy to
to France
France for
for the
the first
first time
time in
in
more
more than
than 20
20 years.
years. The
The five
five KC-135
KC-135 Stratotankers
Stratotankers fly
fly from
from
French
French bases
bases to
to refuel
refuel aircraft
aircraft patrolling
patrolling airspace
airspace over
over
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina in
in Operation
Operation Deny
Deny Flight.
Flight.
February:: For
55 February For the
the first time, an
first time, an all-AFRES
all-AFRES crew
crew flies
flies one
one of
of
the
the new
new C-17
C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster Ills
Ills.. The
The crew
crew comes
comes from
from the
the
315th Airlift Wing's 317th Airlift Squadron.
315th Airlift Wing's 317th Airlift Squadron.
February:: After
55 February After a
a mortar
mortar attack
attack on
on Sarajevo's
Sarajevo's central
central
market that killed
market that killed 68
68 people
people and
and wounded
wounded 200200 more,
more,
President
President Clinton
Clinton sends
sends aa U .S . medical
U.S. medical team
team and
and four
four
C-130 Hercules aircraft to Sarajevo to evacuate the
C-130 Hercules aircraft to Sarajevo to evacuate the
wounded
wounded to
to an
an Army
Army hospital
hospital in
in Germany.
Germany.
7 February:: A
7 February A Titan
Titan IV
IV missile
missile boosts
boosts the
the first
first Military
Military
Strategic
Strategic and
and Tactical
Tactical Relay
Relay satellite
satellite into
into geostationary
geostationary orbit.
orbit.
February:: Lt
10 February
10 Lt Jeannie
Jeannie Flynn,
Flynn, the
the first
first woman
woman selected
selected
for
for USAF
USAF combat
combat pilot
pilot training,
training, completes training in
completes training in an
an
F-15E Eagle.
F-15E Eagle.
18 February: The
18 February: The last
last F-4G
F-4G Wild
Wild Weasels
Weasels in
in Europe
Europe leave
leave
Spangdahlem AB for
Spangdahlem AB for Nellis
Nellis AFB.
AFB.
25 February:: In
25 February In preparation
preparation for
for the
the closing of Bitburg
closing of Bitburg AB
AB in
in
Germany,
Germany, F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle aircraft
aircraft of
of the
the 53d
53d Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron

149
149
move
move to
to Spangdahlem
Spangdahlem AB
AB.. The
The last
last F-15s
F-15s will
will depart
depart
Bitburg
Bitburg in
in mid-March.
mid-March.
28
28 February
February:: Two
Two USAF
USAF F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon aircraft
aircraft of
of the
the
86th
86th Fighter
Fighter Wing
Wing shoot
shoot down
down four
four Serb
Serb Galeb
Galeb attack
attack
aircraft
aircraft over
over Bosnia
Bosnia during
during the
the first
first combat
combat inin NATO
NATO
history.
history. The
The F-16s
F-16s operate
operate as
as part
part of
of Operation
Operation Deny
Deny Flight
Flight
over
over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
March
March:: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force begins
begins training
training students
students in in the
the
T-3A flight screening aircraft that replaces the T-41
T-3A flight screening aircraft that replaces the T-41
Mescalero.
Mescalero. The
The Air
Air Force
Force has
has used
used the
the T-41
T-41 since
since 1964
1964 toto
screen
screen prospective
prospective pilots
pilots for
for undergraduate
undergraduate pilot
pilot training
training..
March
March:: The
The U .S. Air
U.S. Air Force
Force begins
begins flight
flight testing
testing F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting
Falcon launches of the AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missile at
Falcon launches of the AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missile at
Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
13 March:
13 March: The
The first
first Taurus
Taurus booster launches two
booster launches two military
military
satellites
satellites from
from Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.
18
18 March:
March: Norton
Norton AFB,
AFB, California,
California, closes
closes after
after 52
52 years
years of
of
operation.
operation.
25
25 March
March:: The
The last
last American
American military
military personnel
personnel depart
depart
Mogadishu on a C-5 Galaxy, ending Operation Restore
Mogadishu on a C-5 Galaxy, ending Operation Restore
Hope
Hope and
and American
American military
military involvement
involvement in
in Somalia.
Somalia.
31
31 March:
March: The
The first
first two
two F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcons
Falcons from
from
Ramstein
Ramstein AB AB arrive
arrive at
at Aviano
Aviano AB.
AB. The
The next
next day,
day, NATO
NATO
names Aviano a main operating base. It will become
names Aviano a main operating base. It will become a
a key
key
airfield
airfield for
for operations
operations over
over the
the former
former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
April
April:: The
The U .S. Air
U.S. Air Force
Force removes
removes the
the last
last of
of 150
150 LGM-30F
LGM-30F
Minuteman
Minuteman II II missiles
missiles from
from Ellsworth
Ellsworth AFB,
AFB, implementing
implementing
part
part ofof the
the Strategic
Strategic Arms
Arms Reduction
Reduction Treaty between the
Treaty between the
United
United States
States and
and Russia.
Russia.
6-12
6-12 April
April:: In
In Operation
Operation Distant
Distant Runner,
Runner, USAF
USAF airplanes
airplanes
transport
transport Americans
Americans andand other
other foreign
foreign citizens
citizens from
from
Bujumbura,
Bujumbura, Burundi,
Burundi, to
to Nairobi,
Nairobi, Kenya,
Kenya, when
when civil
civil violence
violence
forces
forces them
them toto leave
leave Rwanda.
Rwanda.
10 April
10 April:: Two
Two USAF
USAF F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcons
Falcons strike
strike aa Bosnian
Bosnian
Serb command post near Gorazde in
Serb command post near Gorazde in the
the former
former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
after
after Bosnian
Bosnian Serbs
Serbs attack
attack United
United Nations
Nations personnel in the
personnel in the

150
150
enclave.
enclave. This
This is
is the
the first
first close
close air
air support
support mission
mission ofof
Operation
Operation Deny
Deny Flight
Flight and
and the
the first
first NATO
NATO air-to-ground
air-to-ground
bombing in history.
bombing in history.
14
14 April
April:: Two
Two 53d
53d Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron F-15
F-15 Eagles
Eagles mistakenly
mistakenly
shoot down two U .S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
shoot down two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
over
over northern Iraq, killing
northern Iraq, killing 26 people, including
26 people, including 15 15
Americans.
Americans.
33 May:
May: The
The last
last B-52G
B-52G Stratofortress
Stratofortress goes
goes into
into storage
storage at
at
Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFBAFB.. B-52Hs
B-52Hs continue
continue to
to serve
serve in
in the
the Air
Air
Force
Force..
66 May:
May: 1st
1st Lt
Lt Leslie
Leslie DeAnn
DeAnn Crosby
Crosby graduates
graduates from
from the
the
ANC's
ANG's F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon training
training course
course in
in Tucson,
Tucson,
Arizona,
Arizona, becoming
becoming the
the first
first AFRES
AFRES woman
woman fighter
fighter pilot.
pilot.
7-9
7-9 May:
May: After
After civil
civil war
war erupts
erupts in
in Yemen,
Yemen, six
six USAF
USAF aircraft
aircraft
evacuate
evacuate 623
623 people,
people, including
including 448
448 Americans,
Americans, from
from Yemen
Yemen
to Saudi Arabia.
to Saudi Arabia.
8
8 May:
May: Five
Five C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters begin
begin flying
flying humanitarian
humanitarian airlift
airlift
missions
missions from
from Germany
Germany to to Bosnia
Bosnia inin support
support ofof Operation
Operation
Provide Promise, supplementing
Provide Promise, supplementing the the earlier
earlier C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules
flights. The C-141 Provide Promise flights will end on 26
flights. The C-141 Provide Promise flights will end on 26 July
July
after
after delivering 7,000 tons
delivering 7,000 tons ofof cargo
cargo to
to Sarajevo
Sarajevo..
11-17
11-17 May:
May: Air
Air Force
Force C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft deliver
deliver
239
239 tons
tons of
of relief
relief supplies
supplies from
from Turkey
Turkey toto Tanzania
Tanzania forfor
hundreds
hundreds ofof thousands
thousands of of Rwandan
Rwandan refugees
refugees who
who have
have fled
fled
tribal
tribal warfare
warfare inin Rwanda.
Rwanda. Part
Part of
of aa joint
joint operation
operation called
called
Provide
Provide Assistance,
Assistance, this
this cargo
cargo includes
includes 10,000 rolls of
10,000 rolls of
plastic
plastic sheeting
sheeting and
and 100,000
100,000 blankets
blankets..
22-30
22-30 June:
June: AMC
AMC C-5C-5 Galaxies
Galaxies and
and C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters
transport
transport armored
armored vehicles
vehicles from
from Germany
Germany to
to Uganda
Uganda for
for
United Nations forces deploying to Rwanda.
United Nations forces deploying to Rwanda.
26
26 June
June:: A
A 60th
60th Military
Military Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy airlifts
airlifts aa
34-ton
34-ton magnetic resonance imaging
magnetic resonance imaging system
system to
to Chernobyl,
Chernobyl,
Ukraine,
Ukraine, to
to help
help medical
medical personnel
personnel treating
treating victims
victims of of aa
1986 nuclear accident.
1986 nuclear accident.
30 June: USAFE
30 June: USAFE ends
ends its
its presence
presence in in Berlin,
Berlin, 46
46 years
years after
after
the beginning of the Berlin airlift, with the inactivation of
the beginning of the Berlin airlift, with the inactivation of
Detachment
Detachment 1,
1, 435th
435th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing..

151
151
June-September
June-September:: Fires
Fires consume
consume more than 22 million
more than million acres
acres
of
of forest
forest and
and brush
brush in
in six
six western
western states
states.. Eight
Eight AFRES
AFRES and
and
ANG C-130 Hercules
ANG C-130 Hercules aircraft
aircraft from
from the
the 302d
302d Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing and
and
the
the 145th
145th and
and 153d
153d Airlift
Airlift Groups
Groups dispense
dispense nearly
nearly 55 million
million
gallons
gallons of
of fire-retardant
fire-retardant chemicals
chemicals toto fight
fight the
the fires.
fires.
July:: McDonnell
July McDonnell Douglas
Douglas delivers
delivers the
the final
final F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle
fighter
fighter to
to the
the U .S
U.S. . Air
Air Force
Force..
July:
July: The
The 507th
507th Air
Air Refueling
Refueling Group
Group airlifts
airlifts 1,000
1,000 pounds
pounds
of supplies from Oklahoma to Georgia to relieve the
of supplies from Oklahoma to Georgia to relieve the
victims
victims ofof flooding
flooding from
from Tropical
Tropical Storm
Storm Alberto
Alberto.. Personnel
Personnel
from
from Robins
Robins and
and Moody
Moody Air
Air Force
Force Bases
Bases also
also participate
participate
in
in relief
relief efforts.
efforts.
11 July
July:: The
The Kansas
Kansas ANG's
ANG's 184th
184th Bomb
Bomb Group
Group becomes
becomes the
the
first
first ANG
ANG unit
unit equipped
equipped with
with the
the B-lB
B-1B Lancer.
Lancer.
21
21 July
July:: AA USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter flying Operation Provide
flying Operation Provide
Promise
Promise missions
missions over
over Bosnia
Bosnia is
is hit
hit by
by small
small arms
arms fire
fire near
near
Sarajevo . Despite more than 25 holes in the fuselage and
Sarajevo. Despite more than 25 holes in the fuselage and
wings,
wings, thethe airplane
airplane returns
returns safely
safely toto Rhein-Main
Rhein-Main AB.
AB. All
All
flights to Sarajevo are temporarily suspended.
flights to Sarajevo are temporarily suspended.
21
21 July
July:: USAFE
USAFE fighter
fighter operations
operations at
at Ramstein
Ramstein AB
AB end
end when
when
the last 86th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon departs for
the last 86th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon departs for
Aviano
Aviano AB.
AB.
24
24 July-6
July-6 October:
October: USAF
USAF aircraft
aircraft participate
participate in
in Operation
Operation
Support
Support Hope,
Hope, flying
flying humanitarian
humanitarian reliefrelief supplies
supplies to
to
Rwandan refugees in Zaire.
Rwandan refugees in Zaire.
22 August:
August: Two
Two 2d
2d Bomb
Bomb Wing
Wing B-52
B-52 Stratofortresses
Stratofortresses set
set aa world
world
record
record circumnavigating
circumnavigating the
the earth
earth during
during aa global-power
global-power
mission
mission to Kuwait. The
to Kuwait. The 47-hour
47-hour flight
flight takes five aerial
takes five aerial
refuelings.
refuelings.
33 August:
August: USAF
USAF launches
launches aa research
research satellite
satellite from
from a
a B-52
B-52
Stratofortress,
Stratofortress, using
using a
a Pegasus
Pegasus rocket
rocket..
44 August:
August: Brig
Brig Gen
Gen Susan
Susan L. L. Pamerleau
Pamerleau becomes
becomes thethe first
first
woman
woman commander
commander ofof the
the Air
Air Force
Force Reserve
Reserve Officer
Officer Training
Training
Corps.
Corps.
55 August:
August: Two
Two USAF
USAF A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt IIII jets
jets destroy
destroy an
an
armored
armored vehicle
vehicle near
near Sarajevo
Sarajevo after
after Serbs
Serbs seize
seize heavy
heavy weapons
weapons

152
152
from
from aa United Nations compound
United Nations compound.. The
The weapons
weapons are
are later
later
returned.
returned.
24-25
24-25 August:
August: As
As a
a typhoon
typhoon approaches
approaches Johnston
Johnston Island
Island in
in
the
the Pacific,
Pacific, USAF
USAF airplanes
airplanes help
help evacuate
evacuate more
more than
than 1,000
1,000
people.
people.
25-31 August: The
25-31 August: United States
The United States and
and Ukraine
Ukraine hold
hold a
a joint
joint
Open Skies trial flight . The Open Skies agreement, which both
Open Skies trial flight. The Open Skies agreement, which both
nations
nations signed,
signed, allows
allows them
them to
to conduct
conduct reconnaissance
reconnaissance flights
flights
over each other's territory.
over each other's territory.
31
31 August-8 September: Russian,
August-8 September: American, British,
Russian, American, British, and
and
French
French military
military forces
forces withdraw
withdraw from
from Berlin
Berlin after
after 49
49 years
years
in
in the
the continuing
continuing effort
effort to
to end
end the
the Cold
Cold War.
War.
31
31 August-1
August-100 September:
September: In
In an
an operation
operation called
called Safe
Safe Haven,
Haven, the
the
Air
Air Force
Force and
and other
other military
military services
services transport
transport Cuban
Cuban andand
Haitian
Haitian refugees from overcrowded
refugees from overcrowded camps
camps atat the American base
the American base
at
at Guantanamo
Guantanamo Bay,
Bay, Cuba,
Cuba, to
to Panama
Panama for
for temporary
temporary shelter.
shelter.
September:
September: A B-52 Stratofortress,
A B-52 Stratofortress, aa B-1B
B-1B Lancer,
Lancer, and
and aa
KC-10
KC-10 Extender
Extender land
land at
at Poltava
Poltava AB,
AB, the
the Ukraine.
Ukraine. This
This is
is the
the
first
first time
time since
since World
World War
War IIII that
that American
American bombers
bombers land
land in
in
Ukraine. B-17 Flying Fortresses flew there 50 years earlier on
Ukraine. B-17 Flying Fortresses flew there 50 years earlier on
shuttle
shuttle bombing
bombing missions
missions against
against Nazi
Nazi targets in eastern
targets in eastern
Europe.
Europe.
19
19 September:
September: In In aa noncombat
noncombat operation
operation called
called Uphold
Uphold
Democracy,
Democracy, U.S. military forces
U.S. military forces go
go to
to Haiti to restore
Haiti to restore the
the
country's
country's democratically
democratically elected
elected president
president and
and stem
stem the
the flow
flow
of
of Haitian
Haitian refugees
refugees to the United
to the United States
States.. The
The Air
Air Force
Force
provides
provides airlift
airlift for
for the
the peaceful
peaceful invasion.
invasion.
29-30
29-30 September
September:: USAFE
USAFE vacates
vacates Soesterberg
Soesterberg AB,
AB, the
the
Netherlands, and RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom,
Netherlands, and RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom,
marking
marking further
further reduction
reduction of
of American
American air
air bases
bases in
in Europe
Europe
after
after the
the Cold
Cold War.
War.
30
30 September:
September: The following Air
The following Air Force
Force bases
bases close:
close: Grissom
Grissom
AFB; Loring AFB; Lowry AFB Richards-Gebaur AFB,
AFB; Loring AFB; Lowry AFB; ; Richards-Gebaur AFB,
Missouri;
Missouri; and
and Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker ANG
ANG Base,
Base, Ohio
Ohio..
4
4 October:
October: F-16
F-16 Fighting Falcons replace
Fighting Falcons replace the
the last
last F-4
F-A Wild
Wild
Weasel
Weasel aircraft
aircraft performing
performing the
the suppression
suppression of
of enemy
enemy air
air
defense
defense missions.
missions.

153
153
6
6 October:
October: Operation
Operation Support
Support Hope,
Hope, which
which includes
includes airlift
airlift of
of
relief
relief supplies
supplies to
to Rwandan
Rwandan refugees
refugees in
in central
central Africa,
Africa, isis
terminated.
terminated.
10 October:: After
10 October After Iraqi
Iraqi troops
troops mass
mass near
near the
the Kuwaiti
Kuwaiti border,
border,
Air
Air Force
Force cargo
cargo planes
planes begin
begin flying
flying more U.S.. forces
more U.S forces to
to the
the
Persian Gulf region
Persian Gulf region in
in an
an operation
operation called
called Vigilant
Vigilant Warrior.
Warrior.
During
During October,
October, the USAF increases
the USAF increases itsits presence
presence in in the
the
Persian Gulf from 77 to 270 aircraft, including F-15E Eagle,
Persian Gulf from 77 to 270 aircraft, including F-15E Eagle,
F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting Falcon,
Falcon, and
and A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt II II aircraft
aircraft..
14-16
14-16 October:
October: Two
Two C-17
C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster Ills
Ills transport
transport
military
military equipment
equipment and
and supplies
supplies from
from Langley
Langley AFB
AFB to
to Saudi
Saudi
Arabia in the Persian Gulf region in the aircraft's first
Arabia in the Persian Gulf region in the aircraft's first
operational
operational mission.
mission.
30 October:: A
30 October A C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter airlifts
airlifts 2020 tons
tons of
of medical
medical
supplies,
supplies, blankets,
blankets, and
and tarpaulins,
tarpaulins, fromfrom Kadena
Kadena AB AB to
to
Vladivostok,
Vladivostok, Russia, to relieve
Russia, to relieve the
the victims
victims of of aa Siberian
Siberian flood.
flood.
31
31 October-1 November: Two
October-1 November: Two B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer bombers
bombers fly fly
nonstop from Ellsworth AFB to a bombing range in Kuwait
nonstop from Ellsworth AFB to a bombing range in Kuwait
and
and back.
back. The
The 25-hour
25-hour mission
mission marks
marks the
the first
first time
time B-1
B-lss fly
fly
to the Persian Gulf.
to the Persian Gulf.
6-8
6-8 November:
November: Two Two USAF
USAF C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters transport
transport 37
37
tons of plastic sheeting, blankets, and communications
tons of plastic sheeting, blankets, and communications
equipment
equipment to to Egypt after flash
Egypt after flash floods
floods inundate
inundate as as many
many as
as
70
70 villages
villages..
21-23
21-23 November
November:: USAF
USAF and
and NATO
NATO aircraft
aircraft bomb
bomb Serb
Serb targets,
targets,
including an airfield and missile sites, in the former
including an airfield and missile sites, in the former
Yugoslavia.
Yugoslavia. NATO
NATO launches
launches the
the raids
raids in
in retaliation
retaliation for
for aa Serb
Serb
attack
attack on
on Bihac. This is
Bihac. This is the
the largest
largest NATO
NATO operation
operation toto date.
date.
21-23
21-23 November
November:: AsAs part
part of
of Project
Project Sapphire,
Sapphire, C-5s
C-5s
transport more than 1,300 pounds of highly enriched
transport more than 1,300 pounds of highly enriched
uranium
uranium from the former
from the former Soviet
Soviet Republic
Republic of
of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan toto
the
the United States to
United States to protect
protect it
it from
from terrorists,
terrorists, smugglers,
smugglers,
and
and unfriendly
unfriendly governments.
governments.
17-21
17-21 December
December:: A A 94th
94th Airlift
Airlift Wing
Wing C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules crew
crew
delivers
delivers five
five pallets
pallets of
of clothing,
clothing, furniture,
furniture, books,
books, beds,
beds, and
and
plastic
plastic windows,
windows, plusplus a
a refrigerator
refrigerator toto Albania
Albania for
for orphan
orphan
shelters..
shelters

154
154
29
29 December:
December: Two helicopter crews
Two helicopter crews from
from the 56th Rescue
the 56th Rescue
Squadron
Squadron help
help rescue eight Dutch
rescue eight Dutch mariners
mariners from a sinking
from a sinking
ship off the coast of Iceland.
ship off the coast of Iceland.

19J
1995i
17
17 January:
January: AMC
AMC declares
declares the
the 17th
17th Airlift
Airlift Squadron
Squadron the
the first
first
operational C-17 Globemaster III squadron. Simultaneously,
operational C-17 Globemaster III squadron. Simultaneously,
Gen
Gen Robert
Robert L.
L. Rutherford,
Rutherford, commander
commander of of AMC,
AMC, approves
approves use
use
of the new C-17 Globemaster III for routine missions .
of the new C-17 Globemaster III for routine missions.
19
19 January: C-130 Hercules
January: C-130 Hercules transport
transport planes from the
planes from the
374th
374th Airlift Wing at
Airlift Wing at Yokota
Yokota AB
AB begin
begin flying
flying humanitarian
humanitarian
airlift
airlift missions
missions toto help
help the
the victims
victims of an earthquake
of an earthquake that
that
struck
struck southwestern
southwestern Japan
Japan on
on 17
17 January.
January.
1-20
1-20 February After riots
February:: After riots at
at Cuban
Cuban refugee
refugee camps
camps in
in Panama,
Panama,
USAF
USAF C-5 Galaxy, C-141
C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter,
Starlifter, and C-130 Hercules
and C-130 Hercules
aircraft transport about 7,300 Cubans to Guantanamo Bay
aircraft transport about 7,300 Cubans to Guantanamo Bay
Naval
Naval AS,
AS, Cuba,
Cuba, inin Operation
Operation Safe
Safe Passage.
Passage.
3
3 February
February:: USAF
USAF Lt
Lt Col
Col Eileen
Eileen M.
M. Collins
Collins becomes
becomes the
the first
first
woman space shuttle pilot.
woman space shuttle pilot.
3-10
3-10 February:
February: Eight
Eight C-141
C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters transport
transport 410
410 Nepalese
Nepalese
troops from Katmandu
troops from Katmandu to to Haiti
Haiti for
for service
service with
with United
United
Nations
Nations peacekeeping
peacekeeping forces
forces..
5
5 March:
March: As
As part
part of
of the
the Strategic
Strategic Arms
Arms Reduction
Reduction Treaty,
Treaty,
Russian weapons inspectors arrive at Malmstrom AFB
Russian weapons inspectors arrive at Malmstrom AFB to
to
monitor
monitor LGM-30F
LGM-30F Minuteman
Minuteman II II dismantlement.
dismantlement.
10
10 March:
March: The
The 11th
11th Space
Space Warning
Warning Squadron becomes the
Squadron becomes the
first squadron able to warn battlefield commanders of
first squadron able to warn battlefield commanders of
incoming
incoming theater ballistic missiles,
theater ballistic missiles, such as Scuds
such as Scuds fired
fired by
by
Iraq
Iraq during
during the
the Persian
Persian Gulf
Gulf War.
War.
16 March:
16 March: A
A HH-60 Pave Hawk
HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter
helicopter crew
crew from
from the
the
56th Rescue Squadron stationed at Keflavik, Iceland, saves
56th Rescue Squadron stationed at Keflavik, Iceland, saves
three
three Icelanders caught in
Icelanders caught in aa blizzard
blizzard while
while skiing
skiing..
24
24 March:
March: The
The last
last USAF
USAF Atlas
Atlas E
E booster,
booster, aa converted
converted ICBM
ICBM
from the 1960s, launches a satellite into polar orbit from
from the 1960s, launches a satellite into polar orbit from
Vandenberg
Vandenberg AFB.
AFB.

15
1555
31 March:: 2d
31 March 2d Lt
Lt Kelly
Kelly Flinn
Flinn begins
begins training
training to
to become
become the
the
first woman bomber pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Following
first woman bomber pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Following
graduation,
graduation, she
she will
will fly
fly B-52s
B-52s atat Minot
Minot AFB.
AFB.
88 April
April:: After
After anan Air
Air Force
Force C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft delivers
delivers
flour
flour to
to Sarajevo,
Sarajevo, Bosnia,
Bosnia, asas part
part of
of Operation
Operation Provide
Provide
Promise, it is hit 12 times by small arms fire during takeoff
Promise, it is hit 12 times by small arms fire during takeoff
return
return toto Italy.
Italy. The
The airplane
airplane completes
completes the
the flight
flight safely
safely..
19
19 April
April:: A
A powerful
powerful carcar bomb
bomb explodes
explodes at
at aa federal
federal building
building
in
in Oklahoma
Oklahoma City,City, killing
killing 169
169 people,
people, including
including 19 19 children,
children,
and
and injuring
injuring more
more than 400 others
than 400 others.. The
The Air
Air Force
Force responds
responds
with
with an
an airlift
airlift of
of firefighters,
firefighters, urban
urban search
search and and rescue
rescue
teams, investigators, and
teams, investigators, and medical
medical personnel
personnel from
from all
all over
over
the United States to Oklahoma . Nearby Tinker AFB also
the United States to Oklahoma. Nearby Tinker AFB also
provides
provides rescuers with vehicles,
rescuers with vehicles, blood,
blood, rain
rain gear,
gear, boots,
boots,
hard
hard hats,
hats, flashlights,
flashlights, batteries,
batteries, and
and bomb-sniffing
bomb-sniffing dogs.
dogs.
27
27 April:
April: Air
Air Force
Force Space
Space Command
Command declares
declares the
the GPS
GPS
satellite constellation fully operational. The system provides
satellite constellation fully operational. The system provides
accurate
accurate geographical
geographical coordinates
coordinates..
8-11
8-11 May:
May: ANG
ANG units
units rescue
rescue thousands
thousands ofof flood
flood victims
victims after
after
more
more than
than 22
22 inches
inches of
of rain
rain fall
fall over
over parts
parts of
of Louisiana
Louisiana in
in
less than two days.
less than two days.
10-17 May:: After
10-17 May After an
an outbreak
outbreak of
of the
the deadly
deadly Ebola
Ebola virus
virus in
in
central Africa, a 349th Air Mobility Wing C-141 Starlifter
central Africa, a 349th Air Mobility Wing C-141 Starlifter
crew
crew delivers
delivers more
more than
than aa ton
ton of
of medical
medical supplies
supplies to
to Zaire.
Zaire.
During the same month, a 60th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy
During the same month, a 60th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy
takes
takes a
a ton of medical
ton of medical supplies
supplies to
to Kinshasa,
Kinshasa, Zaire
Zaire..
25-26
25-26 May: USAF aircraft
May: USAF participate in
aircraft participate in NATO
NATO attacks
attacks onon
Serb military bunkers
Serb military bunkers in in Bosnia
Bosnia toto halt
halt Serb
Serb artillery
artillery
attacks against Sarajevo .
attacks against Sarajevo.
11 June:
June: The
The United
United States
States and
and Portugal
Portugal sign
sign aa treaty
treaty
allowing the United States to use Lajes Field in the Azores
allowing the United States to use Lajes Field in the Azores
for
for another
another five
five years.
years. Lajes
Lajes has
has become
become aa major
major staging
staging
base for USAF aircraft
base for USAF aircraft deploying
deploying to
to the
the Middle
Middle East.
East.
2-3
2-3 June:
June: Two
Two USAF
USAF B-1B
B-1B Lancer
Lancer bombers
bombers fly
fly around
around the
the
world in a record 36 hours, 13 minutes, 36 seconds, refueling
world in a record 36 hours, 13 minutes, 36 seconds, refueling
in
in flight
flight six
six times.
times. For
For flying
flying the
the longest
longest nonaugmented
nonaugmented crewcrew
sortie to date,
sortie to date, the
the crew
crew will
will receive
receive the
the 1996
1996 Mackay
Mackay Trophy.
Trophy.

156
156
2-8 June:: After
2-8 June After aa surface-to-air
surface-to-air missile
missile downs
downs his
his F-16
F-16
Fighting
Fighting Falcon
Falcon fighter
fighter over
over Bosnia,
Bosnia, USAF
USAF Capt
Capt Scott
Scott
O'Grady evades capture
O'Grady evades capture by
by hostile forces for
hostile forces for six days until
six days until
he
he is
is rescued
rescued by
by U.S.
U.S. Marine
Marine Corps
Corps helicopters.
helicopters.
27
27 June:
June: Lockheed
Lockheed Martin begins assembling
Martin begins assembling thethe first
first
production
production model
model of
of the
the F-22-a
F-22—a stealthy,
stealthy, advanced
advanced tactical
tactical
fighter
fighter that
that will
will eventually
eventually replace
replace the
the F-15
F-15 Eagle
Eagle..
30 June-10
30 June-10 August:
August: USAF
USAF C-5
C-5 Galaxies and C-141
Galaxies and C-141 Starlifters
Starlifters
airlift
airlift British
British and
and Dutch
Dutch forces
forces to
to Croatia
Croatia to
to support
support the
the
United
United Nations
Nations in
in an
an operation
operation called
called Quick
Quick Lift
Lift..
23
23 July:
July: A A 433d
433d Airlift
Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy
Wing C-5 Galaxy crew
crew airlifts
airlifts 28
28
pallets of medical supplies, blankets, clothes, furniture, and
pallets of medical supplies, blankets, clothes, furniture, and
aa military
military ambulance
ambulance to to relieve
relieve economic
economic suffering
suffering inin
Byelorussia.
Byelorussia.
31
31 July
July:: The
The last
last remaining
remaining LGM-30F
LGM-30F Minuteman
Minuteman IlII missile
missile
wing,
wing, the
the 351st
351st Missile
Missile Wing,
Wing, is
is inactivated
inactivated at
at Whiteman
Whiteman
AFB.
AFB.
13 August: A
13 August: A 60th
60th Air
Air Mobility
Mobility Wing
Wing C-5
C-5 Galaxy
Galaxy transports
transports
75 tons
75 tons of
of food
food from
from Germany
Germany toto Croatia
Croatia to
to feed
feed victims
victims of
of
the war in the former Yugoslavia.
the war in the former Yugoslavia.
17
17 August:
August: The
The E-8C
E-8C joint
joint surveillance
surveillance target
target attack
attack radar
radar
system
system QSTARS)
(JSTARS) aircraft
aircraft begins
begins flight
flight tests
tests.. The
The sophisti-
sophisti-
cated
cated radar
radar plane
plane will
will replace
replace experimental
experimental JSTARS
JSTARS aircraft
aircraft
used during the Persian GulfWar.
used during the Persian Gulf War.
20-21 August: A
20-21 August: C-5 Galaxy
A C-5 Galaxy flies
flies 75
75 tons
tons of
of food
food from
from
Ramstein
Ramstein AB
AB to
to Zagreb,
Zagreb, Croatia,
Croatia, for
for refugees
refugees of
of the
the civil
civil war
war
in
in the
the former
former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
25-29 August : C-17
25-29 August: C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster III III cargo
cargo aircraft
aircraft
participate in their
participate in their first
first major exercise
major .
exercise. Eleven
Eleven C-17s from
C-17s from
the
the 315th
315th and
and 437th
437th Airlift
Airlift Wings
Wings move
move almost
almost 300
300 tons
tons of
of
troops
troops and
and equipment
equipment toto Kuwait.
Kuwait.
30
30 August
August:: NATO
NATO aircraft,
aircraft, including
including USAF
USAF airplanes,
airplanes, begin
begin
air strikes on Serb positions in Bosnia in support
air strikes on Serb positions in Bosnia in support of
of the
the
United Nations
United Nations.. The
The operation
operation isis called
called Deliberate
Deliberate Force.
Force.
September:: The
11 September The SR-71 Blackbird, fastest
SR-71 Blackbird, fastest aircraft
aircraft in
in the
the
world,
world, returns
returns to
to active
active service
service.. It
It was
was removed
removed from
from the
the

157
157
USAF
USAF inventory
inventory in
in 1990
1990 when
when planners
planners assumed
assumed that
that
satellites
satellites could
could perform
perform the
the strategic
strategic reconnaissance
reconnaissance
mission
mission..
14-30
14-30 September:
September: USAF
USAF airlifts
airlifts more
more than
than 30 30 tons
tons of
of
medical
medical supplies
supplies from
from Charleston
Charleston AFB
AFB to
to Hanoi,
Hanoi, Vietnam.
Vietnam.
This
This is the first
is the first American
American humanitarian
humanitarian airlift
airlift to
to Vietnam
Vietnam
since
since the
the war
war there
there ended
ended in
in 1975
1975..
15-21
15-21 September:
September: After
After Hurricane
Hurricane Marilyn
Marilyn devastated
devastated the
the
eastern
eastern Caribbean
Caribbean Sea,
Sea, USAF,
USAF, AFRES,
AFRES, andand ANG
ANG cargo
cargo
aircraft
aircraft airlift
airlift 996
996 tons
tons of
of relief
relief cargo
cargo and
and 85
85 passengers
passengers toto
the
the Virgin
Virgin Islands.
Islands. This
This is
is the
the first
first disaster
disaster relief
relief operation
operation
employing
employing C-17
C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster IIIIII aircraft
aircraft..
22 September:: After
22 September After 53
53 years
years of
of operation,
operation, Griffiss
Griffiss AFB
AFB closes
closes..
30
30 September:
September: The
The 93d
93d Bombardment
Bombardment Wing,
Wing, first
first B-52
B-52 wing
wing
in
in the
the SAC,
SAC, inactivates
inactivates after
after more
more than
than 47 47 years
years ofof
continuous service. At the same time, its home base at
continuous service. At the same time, its home base at
Castle
Castle AFB
AFB closes
closes.. Also
Also closing
closing after
after more
more than
than 41
41 years,
years, is
is
Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh AFB,
AFB, New
New York,
York, aa former
former SAC
SAC base.
base.
October:
October: The
The first
first C-130J,
C-130J, an
an advanced-technology
advanced-technology version
version
of
of the
the venerable
venerable Hercules
Hercules transport,
transport, rolls
rolls out
out of
of its
its assembly
assembly
plant
plant at
at Marietta,
Marietta, Georgia.
Georgia.
11 October:
October: CMSgt
CMSgt Carol
Carol Smits
Smits becomes
becomes the
the first
first female
female
senior
senior enlisted
enlisted advisor
advisor of
of the
the AFRES.
AFRES.
4
4 October:
October: Hurricane
Hurricane Opal
Opal damages
damages Eglin
Eglin AFB
AFB and
and Hurlburt
Hurlburt
Field
Field in Florida with
in Florida with winds
winds over
over 110
110 mph.
mph. Most
Most of
of the
the
aircraft
aircraft escape
escape damage
damage by
by evacuating
evacuating to
to other
other bases
bases..
16-17
16-17 October:
October: The
The 53d
53d Weather
Weather Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance Squadron,
Squadron,
which
which had
had been
been monitoring
monitoring the
the strength
strength andand movement
movement of of
Hurricane
Hurricane Roxanne
Roxanne inin the
the Gulf
Gulf of
of Mexico,
Mexico, searches
searches for
for
survivors
survivors of of a
a Mexican
Mexican pipe-laying
pipe-laying barge
barge sunk
sunk byby the
the
hurricane.
hurricane. One
One crew
crew finds
finds aa survivor
survivor in
in aa raft
raft and
and radios
radios his
his
position
position to
to the
the Coast
Coast Guard,
Guard, which
which subsequently
subsequently rescues
rescues 23
23
more
more of
of the
the 236
236 survivors.
survivors.
28
28 October-18
October-18 December
December:: In In an
an operation
operation called
called Vigilant
Vigilant
Sentinel,
Sentinel, the
the Air
Air Force
Force first
first tests
tests the
the air
air expeditionary
expeditionary force
force
concept. F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 20th Fighter Wing
concept. F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 20th Fighter Wing
and
and the
the 347th
347th Wing
Wing deploy
deploy toto Bahrain.
Bahrain.

158
158
11 November:
November: Wright-Patterson
Wright-Patterson AFB
AFB hosts
hosts the
the presidents
presidents of
of
Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia for peace talks designed to end
Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia for peace talks designed to end
the
the war
war in
in the
the former
former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
66 December
December:: USAF
USAF transports
transports begin
begin airlifting
airlifting American
American troops
troops
and
and equipment
equipment into into Bosnia
Bosnia in in support
support of of a
a NATO
NATO
peacekeeping
peacekeeping operation
operation called
called Joint
Joint Endeavor.
Endeavor. TheThe operation
operation
seeks
seeks to
to implement
implement aa peace
peace agreement
agreement initialed
initialed by
by the
the
presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia at Wright-Patterson
presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia at Wright-Patterson
AFB
AFB and
and signed
signed later
later in
in December
December inin Paris.
Paris.

1996
1096
44 January
January:: Operation
Operation Provide
Provide Promise,
Promise, the
the longest
longest sustained
sustained
humanitarian
humanitarian airlift
airlift in
in history,
history, officially
officially ends,
ends, after
after
delivering
delivering 160,536
160,536 metric
metric tons
tons of
of relief
relief cargo
cargo since
since JulyJuly
1992 . The U.S. Air Force flew 4,597 of the 12,895 sorties.
1992. The U.S. Air Force flew 4,597 of the 12,895 sorties.
On
On 99 January
January there
there will
will be
be aa commemorative
commemorative final
final flight
flight..
26 January:: CMSgt
26 January CMSgt Patricia
Patricia M.
M. Hoffman,
Hoffman, the Air Force's
the Air Force's most
most
senior-ranking
senior-ranking enlisted
enlisted woman,
woman, retires
retires at
at Randolph
Randolph AFBAFB
with more than 30 years of service.
with more than 30 years of service.
14
14 February
February:: The
The joint
joint surveillance
surveillance and
and target
target attack
attack radar
radar
system
system E-8A
E-8A flies
flies its
its 50th
50th mission
mission inin support of Operation
support of Operation
Joint
Joint Endeavor,
Endeavor, a a peacekeeping
peacekeeping operation
operation in
in the
the former
former
Yugoslavia . This surpasses the JSTARS record of
Yugoslavia. This surpasses the JSTARS record of 49
49
missions
missions during
during Operation
Operation Desert
Desert Storm.
Storm.
Late
Late March
March:: The
The last
last F-4
F-4 Phantom
Phantom aircraft
aircraft in
in the active duty
the active duty
Air
Air Force
Force goes
goes into
into storage
storage atat Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan AFBAFB.. The
The F-4
F-4
has served the Air Force for more than 30 years.
has served the Air Force for more than 30 years.
29
29 March
March:: The
The Tier
Tier III
HI Minus
Minus Dark
Dark Star,
Star, aa stealthy
stealthy drone
drone
designed
designed for
for high-altitude,
high-altitude, long-duration
long-duration reconnaissance
reconnaissance
missions over hostile territory, completes
missions over hostile territory, completes its
its first test
first test flight
flight
at
at Edwards
Edwards AFB.
AFB.
29 March: Vice
29 March: Vice President
President Albert
Albert Gore
Gore announces
announces that
that the
the
United
United States
States will
will open
open the
the GPS,
GPS, aa constellation
constellation of
of Air
Air Force
Force
satellites, to full commercial access.
satellites, to full commercial access.
33 April
April:: A
A 76th
76th Airlift
Airlift Squadron
Squadron CT-43
CT-43 transport
transport airplane
airplane
crashes into a hillside near Dubrovnik, Croatia. Among the
crashes into a hillside near Dubrovnik, Croatia. Among the

159
159
35
35 killed
killed is
is Commerce
Commerce Secretary
Secretary Ronald
Ronald Brown,
Brown, who
who was
was on
on
an
an economic
economic development
development mission
mission to
to the
the former
former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
9-25
9-25 April
April:: USAF
USAF units
units participate
participate inin Operation
Operation Assured
Assured
Response,
Response, which evacuates more
which evacuates more than
than 2,000
2,000 noncombatants
noncombatants
from
from Liberia
Liberia during
during civil
civil unrest
unrest there.
there. Air
Air Force
Force aircraft,
aircraft,
including
including MH-53
MH-53 Pave
Pave LowLow helicopters,
helicopters, KC-135
KC-135 Strato-
Strato-
tankers,
tankers, C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules cargo
cargo airplanes,
airplanes, MC-130
MC-130 Combat
Combat
Talons,
Talons, and
and AC-130
AC-130 Spectre
Spectre aircraft,
aircraft, fly
fly 94
94 missions
missions..
15
15 April
April:: Interservice
Interservice undergraduate
undergraduate navigator
navigator training
training
becomes
becomes fullyfully joint
joint as
as Air
Air Force
Force student
student navigators
navigators and
and
student
student naval
naval flight
flight officers
officers are
are combined
combined at at Randolph
Randolph AFB
AFB
into
into aa single
single class
class with
with a a single
single syllabus
syllabus.. During
During the
the same
same
month,
month, Air Air Force
Force and
and Navy
Navy electronic
electronic warfare
warfare officer
officer
training
training are
are combined
combined at at Pensacola
Pensacola Naval
Naval ASAS and
and the
the Naval
Naval
Technical
Technical Training
Training Center
Center atat Corry
Corry Field,
Field, Florida.
Florida.
17
17 April
April:: Operation
Operation Uphold
Uphold Democracy,
Democracy, which
which began
began inin
September
September 1994 1994 in
in Haiti,
Haiti, ends
ends.. Only
Only one
one American
American soldier
soldier
was
was killed
killed byby hostile
hostile fire
fire during
during the
the 18-month
18-month operation
operation in
in
which
which U .S . military
U.S. military forces
forces oversaw
oversaw the
the dismantling
dismantling of
of aa
military
military dictatorship
dictatorship..
18 April
18 April:: For
For the
the first
first time,
time, C-17
C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster III III aircraft
aircraft
airlift
airlift huge
huge MH-53J
MH-53J Pave
Pave Low
Low special
special operations
operations helicopters.
helicopters.
Two
Two C-17s
C-17s carry
carry two
two of
of the
the helicopters
helicopters from
from Sierra
Sierra Leone
Leone in
in
Africa
Africa to
to England,
England, saving
saving time
time and
and refuelings
refuelings..
30
30 April
April:: USAF
USAF reveals
reveals the
the Tacit
Tacit Blue
Blue test
test airplane
airplane that
that was
was
used
used secretly
secretly to
to test
test stealth
stealth technology
technology until
until 1985
1985.. With
With aa
56-foot
56-foot wingspan,
wingspan, Tacit
Tacit Blue
Blue aircraft
aircraft furnished
furnished thethe
technology
technology used
used to
to produce
produce the
the B-2
B-2 Spirit
Spirit bomber.
bomber.
11 May:
May: AA German
German officer
officer assumes
assumes command
command of of aa German
German
tactical
tactical training
training center
center atat Holloman
Holloman AFB.
AFB. This
This is
is the
the first
first
time
time aa foreigner
foreigner has
has commanded
commanded a a unit
unit at
at an
an Air
Air Force
Force base
base
within
within the United States
the United States..
31
31 May:
May: The
The U.S.
U.S. Air
Air Force
Force awards
awards contracts
contracts toto produce
produce 8080
more
more C-17
C-17 Globemaster
Globemaster III III transport
transport aircraft
aircraft over
over the
the
course
course of
of seven
seven years.
years. Worth
Worth $16
$16.2.2 billion,
billion, these
these military
military
contracts
contracts are
are the
the largest
largest ever
ever awarded.
awarded. The The 80
80 planes
planes will
will
complete
complete aa fleet
fleet of
of 120
120 C-17s,
C-17s, which
which areare replacing
replacing the
the Air
Air
Force's
Force's aging
aging fleet
fleet of
of C-141
C-141 Starlifters.
Starlifters.

160
160
66 June:
June: Lt
Lt Col
Col Kai Lee Norwood,
Kai Lee Norwood, the
the first woman commander
first woman commander
of a group that maintains Air Force
of a group that maintains Air Force missiles,
missiles, assumes
assumes
command
command of of the
the 91st Logistics Group
91st Logistics Group..
21
21 June
June:: Cmdr
Cmdr David
David Cheslak becomes the
Cheslak becomes the first
first Navy
Navy flight
flight
officer
officer to command an
to command an Air
Air Force squadron when
Force squadron when he he
assumes command of the 562d Flying
assumes command of the 562d Flying Training
Training Squadron
Squadron at
at
Randolph
Randolph AFB where Air
AFB where Air Force
Force and
and Navy personnel are
Navy personnel are
experiencing
experiencing joint
joint navigation
navigation training.
training.
25
25 June
June:: Terrorists bomb the
Terrorists bomb the Khobar
Khobar Towers near King
Towers near King
Abdul-Aziz AB in Saudi Arabia, killing 19
Abdul-Aziz AB in Saudi Arabia, killing 19 Air
Air Force
Force
personnel
personnel and
and injuring some 300
injuring some 300 other
other Americans.
Americans. It It is
is the
the
worst
worst terrorist
terrorist attack
attack against American military
against American military personnel
personnel
since
since the
the 1983
1983 bombing
bombing of U.S.. Marine
of aa U.S Marine barracks
barracks in in
Beirut, Lebanon.. The
Beirut, Lebanon The Americans
Americans are
are in Saudi Arabia
in Saudi Arabia asas part
part
of Operation Southern
of Operation Southern Watch
Watch to
to deter
deter Iraqi
Iraqi aggression
aggression
against Kuwait
against Kuwait and
and Saudi
Saudi Arabia.
Arabia.
11 July
July:: For
For the
the first
first time, an Air
time, an Air Force
Force crew
crew flies
flies an
an EA-6B
EA-6B
Prowler off
Prowler off the
the deck
deck of of an aircraft carrier,
an aircraft carrier, the
the USS
USS
Constellation, in the Pacific
Constellation, in the Pacific Ocean.
Ocean. The
The Navy's
Navy's EA-6B
EA-6B will
will
replace the EF-111 as an Air Force radar jamming aircraft .
replace the EF-111 as an Air Force radar-jamming aircraft.
19
19 July-4 August: During
July-4 August: During the
the Centennial Olympic Games
Centennial Olympic Games in
in
Atlanta, USAF
Atlanta, USAF personnel
personnel help
help provide security..
provide security
27 July:: The
27 July Air Force
The Air Force hosts
hosts anan F-111 retirement celebration
F-lll retirement celebration
at
at aa plant
plant in
in Fort Worth, Texas,
Fort Worth, Texas, where
where the
the first
first Aardvark
Aardvark
rolled out over 30 years earlier. At about the same time,
rolled out over 30 years earlier. At about the same time, the
the
last F-111
last F-lll unit
unit in
in the
the Air
Air Force, the 524th
Force, the 524th Fighter
Fighter Squadron
Squadron
at Cannon AFB,
at Cannon AFB, New
New Mexico,
Mexico, converts
converts to
to F-16
F-16 Fighting
Fighting
Falcons
Falcons..
Late
Late August:
August: Four C-130s, two
Four C-130s, two each
each from
from the 146th and
the 146th and 302d
302d
Airlift Wings, fight
Airlift Wings, fight severe
severe forest
forest fires
fires in northern California
in northern California..
2-3
2-3 September:
September: As part of
As part of Operation
Operation Desert Strike, the
Desert Strike, the U.S
U.S..
Air
Air Force
Force flies
flies B-52 Stratofortresses to
B-52 Stratofortresses to the
the Middle
Middle East
East and
and
launches 13 cruise missiles against military targets
launches 13 cruise missiles against military targets in
in Iraq.
Iraq.
This
This is in response
is in response toto an
an Iraqi troop seizure
Iraqi troop seizure ofof the
the city
city of
of
Irbil, located in an
Irbil, located in an American-protected
American-protected zone
zone for
for Kurds.
Kurds.
3 September:
3 September: The 11th Reconnaissance
The 11th Reconnaissance Squadron
Squadron becomes
becomes
the first Air Force unit to operate
the first Air Force unit to operate the
the Predator,
Predator, an
an

161
161
unmanned
unmanned aerial
aerial vehicle
vehicle designed
designed for
for aerial
aerial surveillance
surveillance
and reconnaissance . Flights over Bosnia-Herzegovina help
and reconnaissance. Flights over Bosnia-Herzegovina help
the
the United
United States
States to
to ensure
ensure aa peace
peace agreement
agreement there.
there.
4
4 September:
September: AA C-141
C-141 Starlifter
Starlifter of
of the
the 305th
305th Air
Air Mobility
Mobility
Wing,
Wing, McGuire
McGuire AFB,
AFB, evacuates
evacuates 30 30 passengers
passengers from
from
Bujumbura,
Bujumbura, Burundi,
Burundi, to to Nairobi,
Nairobi, Kenya,
Kenya, to
to remove
remove them
them
from
from the
the danger
danger of
of aa civil
civil war
war in
in Burundi.
Burundi.
5
5 September
September:: ToTo relieve
relieve the
the victims
victims ofof Hurricane
Hurricane Fran,
Fran,
C-130
C-130 Hercules
Hercules aircraft
aircraft and
and crews
crews from
from the
the 145th
145th Airlift
Airlift
Wing
Wing begin
begin airlifting
airlifting engineers,
engineers, security
security police,
police, generators,
generators,
mobile
mobile kitchens,
kitchens, and
and showers
showers to
to the
the Raleigh
Raleigh and
and Wilmington
Wilmington
areas
areas of
of North
North Carolina
Carolina..
14
14 September:
September: Air Air Force
Force Special
Special Operations
Operations forces
forces help
help
provide security for the first elections in Bosnia since the
provide security for the first elections in Bosnia since the
end
end of
of aa civil
civil war
war that
that erupted
erupted shortly
shortly after
after the
the republic
republic
declared
declared independence
independence from
from Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia..
16-19
16-19 September:
September: After
After hostile
hostile forces
forces in
in northern
northern Iraq
Iraq drove
drove
Kurds
Kurds out
out of
of their
their villages,
villages, USAF
USAF chartered
chartered flights
flights to
to airlift
airlift
2,134 refugees from the Middle East to Andersen AFB .
2,134 refugees from the Middle East to Andersen AFB.
30
30 September:
September: The
The Seventeenth
Seventeenth Air
Air Force
Force inactivates
inactivates after
after
more than 43 years of service with USAFE. Two other
more than 43 years of service with USAFE. Two other
numbered
numbered Air
Air Forces
Forces remain
remain in
in Europe.
Europe.
21
21 November
November:: Secretary
Secretary ofof the
the Air
Air Force
Force Dr.
Dr. Sheila
Sheila Widnall
Widnall
and
and Chief
Chief ofof Staff
Staff ofof the
the Air
Air Force
Force Gen
Gen Ronald
Ronald R.R.
Fogleman
Fogleman publicly
publicly release
release the
the Global
Global Reach-Global
Reach—Global Power
Power
engagement
engagement strategic
strategic planning
planning framework-a
framework—a position
position
paper
paper for
for Air
Air Force
Force power
power projection
projection in
in the
the twenty-first
twenty-first
century.
century.

162
162
1»»7
9 April: Rollout of the Lockheed-Martin-Boeing F-22 Raptor
stealth air superiority fighter designed to secure air
dominance for the United States in the twenty-first century.

Rollout of F-22 Raptor stealth air superiority fighter at Marietta, Georgia,

9 April 1997, marks a new departure in the quest for air supremacy—the
drive for air dominance.

163
 ISBN 0-16-049145-2
90000

9 780 60"491450
The
The Cold
Cold War
War and
and Beyond
Beyond
Chronology
Chronology of
of the
the
United
United States
States Air
Air Force,
Force,
1947-1997
1947-1997

Air
Air University
University Press
Press Team
Team

Chief Editor
ChiefEditor
Thomas
Thomas Mackin
Mackln

Copy Editor
Copy Editor
Debbie Banker
Debbie Banker

Book
Book and Cover Design
and Cover Design
Steven C.
Steven C . Garst
Garst

Prepress
Prepress Production
Production
Linda C. Colson
Linda C. Colson
Golden Legacy, Boundless Future.
Your Nation's Air Force
U.S. AIR FORCE

1947 - 1997

K.
SL