Golden Legacy, Boundless Future: Essays on the United States Air Force and the Rise of Aerospace Power
Abstract
The last century of the second millennium has been called the "American Century." That same century witnessed the transformation of the world from a two- to three-dimensional movement, triggering, among other effects, a revolution in military affairs. The achievements of the United States Air Force in developing and exploiting aerospace technology bridge all of these. As the century opened, Wilbur and Orville Wright's dreams were realized in a few moments of flight at Kitty Hawk. By its close, military aircraft routinely flew faster than sound and satellites operated in earth orbit. Using these capabilities, the Air Force had taken the lead in military operations, humanitarian missions, and nation-building efforts, and had revolutionized electronic and information warfare. In less than a half-century the United States had gone from little fabric and wood biplanes flying aerial reconnaissance over the trenches of World War I to unmanned satellites able to pinpoint and photograph any position on the earth's surface. In 1997, the Air Force History and Museums Program held a symposium marking the 50th anniversary of the United States Air Force. It celebrated the technical and operational achievements and the leaders of those years and their predecessors. The papers delivered during the symposium offer glimpses into the history of the United States' air arm during the 20th century. The reminiscences of the great airmen and civilian leaders who participated give human coloration to that story. The Air Force History and Museums Program hopes that the proceedings collected in this volume will prove of value as an introduction to the service and its history.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA433345
Entities
People
- Barbara Wittig
- Rebecca H. Cameron