On This Day in History

1912: Capt Charles DeForest Chandler becomes the first person to fire a machine gun from an airplane in the US.  

1970: MAC Commander Gen Jack J. Catton flies the 1st C-5 for an operational wing from Lockheed Marietta to Charleston AFB.

1944: MEDAL OF HONOR. While leading a B-24 group against enemy coastal positions, Lt Col Leon R. Vance’s bomber sustains repeated hits from antiaircraft fire, perilously crippling the bomber, killing the pilot, and wounding other

1970: Flying the NF-104 modified with a rocket engine, Gen Alton D. Slay reaches 104,000 feet in altitude to become the first general officer to surpass 100,000 feet.

1967:   Two 48th ARRS HH-3Es complete the 1st nonstop helicopter crossing of the Atlantic, following Lindbergh’s route: 30 hours, 46 minutes, with 9 refuelings. The pilots, Majors Zehnder and Maurras, are shown here in France

1967:   The Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) achieves its initial operating capability, giving  SAC the ability to launch ICBMs from airborne command posts.

1912:   Wilbur Wright dies of typhoid fever at the age of 45 at Dayton.

1966:   The ARRS observes its 20th anniversary. During this time span ARRS rescued more than 12,000 people throughout the world.

1980:   The United States Air Force Academy graduates its first female cadets. Ninety-seven women are commissioned as Second Lieutenants.

1927:   Lt James H. Doolittle performs the first known successful outside loop.