Seventy-two years ago, President Harry Truman signed the National Security act of 1947 establishing the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the U.S. military.
During World War I, prior to our founding, it was evident that air power was an absolute necessity if we wanted to win America's wars. By the end of the World War I, there were nearly 11,000 pilots serving our country, and through their victories, the airplane was here to stay in our nation’s military.
Our service was tested in its infancy and continues to be tested today. To this day, our Airmen have continuously deployed in support of contingency operations and humanitarian operations both home and abroad.