The United States Air Force : a chronology / John C. Fredriksen.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This comprehensive survey provides an overview of events in the history of the world's most successful aviation force. During Operation DESERT STORM, January-February 1991, U.S. Air Force warplanes flew more than 83,000 sorties{u2014}59 percent of all coalition combat sorties{u2014}completely gutting Iraq's aerial and ground defenses. This is just one of the history-making details that comprise the exciting story of the U.S. Air Force. The United States Air Force: A Chronology captures the sweep of U.S. Air Force history from the service's inception to present times. Concise entries, arranged by date, touch upon military events such as victories and defeats; significant political, administrative, and technological changes affecting the service; and significant events in the careers of noted leaders. Daily occurrences are described within the context of greater historical events such as wars. The chronology covers all aspects of the U.S. Air Force and its historical antecedents (U.S. Air Service, Army Air Corps, and Army Air Force), commencing with the Balloon Corps in the American Civil War and extending through Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Events of note, major and minor, are listed in the order of occurrence. The book includes all major air campaigns in all major conflicts, as well as such noteworthy events as record-breaking flights and the introduction of new aircraft. Features {u2022} Comprehensive, daily coverage of relevant wartime and peacetime events as they affected the U.S. Air Force as an institution and fighting machine {u2022} Illustrations of important aircraft, personalities, and historical events {u2022} Over 20 sidebars affording greater detail and context on notable events and people {u2022} A 5,000-word bibliography of the latest scholarship on U.S. Air Force history, organization, leadership, and equipment Highlights {u2022} Covers aerial events, aviation technology, tactics, and strategy across the globe from the 19th century through the 21st {u2022} Includes listings of all major aerial engagements and individual, record-breaking flights, as well as political, institutional, and significant non-combat events {u2022} Traces the growth and success of American air power form its first fledgling steps to global dominance {u2022} Highlights famous formations and individuals that contributed to the nation's aerial accomplishments and traditions