September 18, 1947

Happy birthday to the Air Force! Here’s to many more years where you Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win!

Even though the US military purchased its first aircraft in 1909, the US Air Force did not exist as a separate and independent branch until September 18, 1947. At first, it went through a series of designations: The Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps in 1909, Aviation Section, Signal Corps in 1914, United States Army Air Service in 1918, United States Army Air Corps in 1926, and the United States Army Air Forces in 1941.

World War II demonstrated how valuable air power was and the need to change the organization of the US Military Forces. This resulted in the creation of a single Department of Defense with a strong Joint Chiefs of Staff with Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs. The National Security Act, signed by President Truman in 1947, established this new defense organization and the United States Air Force as an independent service, equal to the Army and Navy.