February 27, 1990
1990: The combined Lockheed and USAF F-117A Stealth Fighter design team receives the Robert J. Collier Trophy for 1989.
February 26, 1949
1949: MACKAY TROPHY. Through 2 March, from Carswell AFB Capt James Gallagher and crew fly the 43rd Bomb Group’s B-50 Lucky Lady II (No. 46-010), on the first nonstop around-the-world flight. They fly 23,452
February 25, 1945
1945: 334 B-29s drop 1,667 tons of fire bombs and destroy 15 square miles of Tokyo to begin a campaign of incendiary raids.
February 22, 1978
1978: From Vandenberg AFB, CA an Atlas F booster places NAVSTAR 1, the 1st Global Positioning Satellite, into orbit.
February 21, 1945
1945: P-47 Thunderbolts attack the Berchtesgaden railway station for the first time; however, the fighters do not attack Hitler’s nearby Eagle’s Nest retreat.
February 20, 1944
1944: MEDALS OF HONOR: Three are received by Eighth Air Force crew members for valorous service this date: Sgt Archibald Mathies, 1Lt William R. Lawley and 2Lt Walter E. Truemper.
February 19, 1936
1936: Brig Gen William “Billy” Mitchell dies at Doctor’s Hospital, New York City. He is later buried in Milwaukee.
February 18, 1943
1943: The first class of 39 flight nurses graduate from the U. S. Army Air Forces School of Air Evacuations at Bowman Field, KY.
February 15, 1944
1944: Twelfth Air Force sends 254 B-17 and B-25 bombers to attack and destroy the Abbey of Monte Cassino, Italy, preparing the way for a later ground attack. The Abbey holds out, and is finally
February 14, 1931
1931: Congress creates the Air Mail Flyers Medal of Honor, retroactive to 15 May 1918.