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The U.S. Air force was founded
http://The birth of the United States Air Force. Stuart Symington becomes the first Secretary of the Air Force. Air activities transfered from the Army to the Air Force. -
First super-sonic plane fight
First supersonic flightThe first supersonic flight is made by Capt. Charles E. Yeager in the rocket-powered Bell XS-1 over Muroc Dry Lake, California. -
First nonstop around the world flight
first around the world flightThe B-50A "Lucky Lady II" completes the first nonstop around-the-world flight: 23,452 miles in 94 hours, 1 minute. -
Capt. James Jabara (USAF) becomes the first jet "ace."
First Aviation Combathttp://1st Lt. Russell Brown, Jr., in an F-80 "Shooting Star," downs a MiG-15 in Korean War, the first all-jet aerial combat ace -
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First Female Coloneals
Jeanne M. Holm, WAF Director, and Helen O'Day, assigned to the Office of the Air Force Chief of Staff, become the first women promoted to Colonel. -
First nonstop Helicopter flight
HelicopterTwo Air Force crews complete the first nonstop transpacific helicopter flight as they land their Sikorsky HH-53Cs at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, after a 9,000-mile flight from Eglin AFB, Florida. The helicopters were refueled in flight during the trip -
First Female USAF member goes into space
firstUSAF Major Susan Helms, flying aboard space shuttle Endeavour, becomes the first U.S. military woman in space. -
Pilot makes first human powered flight
GOSSEMEAR ALBATROSSPilot/cyclist Bryan Allen makes the first human-powered flight across the English Channel in the Gossamer Albatross.