by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: August 25, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2010

United States Air Force day was established in 1947, observed for the last time on August 1, 1949, and has been consigned to the annals of history ever since. This day has been so consigned to the annals of history that many an Air Force Officer was dozing when that bit of history was covered during Officer training.

The origins of the Department of The Air Force lie in the disputed tale of the Wright brothers offer, during the early 1900's, to develop a heavier than air vehicle for use by the military. At the time the Army's "Board of Ordinance and Fortifications" was considering the Wright brother's proposal along with a wide range of air options.

The first flying and pilot training began in 1909. In 1911, the first appropriation for air ordinance was granted by Congress. But it was not until World War I that the importance of aviation became paramount. Aircraft production and pilot training could barely keep up with the makeshift fleet and organization that grew into a large and important force. World War II proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the British model of an independent Air Force was the way to go.

When established in 1907, the Air Force was actually a component of the Army . The somewhat cumbersome title was "Aeronautical Division In The Office Of The Chief Signal Officer Of The Army". The Army Air Corps, a more well defined organization, came into being in 1926. More independence within the Army command came when the General Headquarters, Air Force, was established in 1935.

Finally, in 1947, the Air Force came into being as a separate branch of the armed forces. The National Security Act of 1947 was a massive reformation of the US military establishment. The Department of the Air Force was severed from Army control and put under the authority of the Secretary of The Air Force.

It was not the Air Force that established "Air Force Day". All observances were under the auspices of the Army. In 1947, it was the 40th anniversary of the aeronautical component of the Army. In conjunction with the National Security Act, President Truman wanted to recognize those who developed and implemented enormous contributions to the air defense and air combat operations of the Army.

It turns out, then, that "Air Force Day" was actually a well deserved celebration of 40 years of incredible accomplishment by Army leadership, scientists, and airmen who took our air defense and combat role from the stuff of early science fiction to the critical instrument of our nation's air power.

Air Force Day was not held over as a part of United States Air Force tradition.

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