On This Day in History

1996:    Operation Provide Promise, regarded as the longest sustained humanitarian airlift in history, officially ends. USAF flies 4,597 of the 12,895 sorties. A commemorative flight takes place on Jan 9.

1949:    Representative Carl Vinson of Georgia, generally known for his support of the Navy, introduces a bill to speed guided missile research and to create a 70-group Air Force.

1942:    Gen Henry H. Arnold establishes a new numbered Air Force, which later becomes Eighth Air Force. The Eighth sustains over 26,000 deaths in World War II, greater than the US Marines.

  1929:    THE QUESTION MARK. Through 7 January, to test in-flight refueling and crew and aircraft endurance, Maj Carl A. Spaatz and crew fly the Question Mark, a modified Fokker C2-3 with a Wright 220

1964:   President Johnson funds the development of the CX-HLS (the C-5A). It could carry 500-700 troops or 250,000 pounds of cargo for 7,000 miles at 550 MPH without refueling .

1944:   Gen Henry H. Arnold becomes General of the Army (5 stars), the first airman to hold this rank.

1943:   For extraordinary heroism this date, radio operator-gunner TSgt Forrest Vosler receives the Medal of Honor. http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3041/vosler-forrest-l.php  

1945: President Truman urges establishment of the Department of Defense with an air arm equal to the Army and Navy. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/public-papers/218/special-message-congress-recommending-establishment-department-national

1972:   Operation LINEBACKER II: President Nixon orders this 11-day all-out bombing campaign against targets in Hanoi and Haiphong, one of the most heavily defended areas of the world. Altogether, the USAF completes 714 B-52 and

1944:    A Noorduyn C-64 Norseman carrying famed bandleader Maj Glenn Miller disappears over the English Channel.