Ron Dick (1931–2008)

Air Force History (and Museums Programs?) 1997
This illustrated oversize vol. commemorates the 50th ann'y. of the creation of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a fully independent branch of the military in 1947. Covers the accomplishments and actions in the history of American aviation, which predates the creation of the USAF: from the era of the Wright biplanes before and through WWI; the years of development between 1919 and 1941; the harrowing maturation of the force during WWII's global fight; show more the creation of the service itself; its tempering during the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War; the long watch of the Cold War; the grueling conflict in Southeast Asia; the rebuilding of the force in the 1970s and 1980s; air power's triumph in the Gulf War, and its use since then for both humanitarian and combat operations. show less