On This Day in History

2011: President George W. Bush initiates a war on terrorism and homeland-defense efforts with combat air patrols within the US under operations NOBLE EAGLE and ENDURING FREEDOM.

1942:      The Secretary of War forms the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, under the leadership of Nancy Harkness Love. In October, female pilots begin ferrying aircraft from production sites to airfields in the US.

1918:   Several planes carry 18 troops from Chanute Field to Champaign, IL to make 1st demonstration of troop transport by air in US.

1985:   Exercise BRAVE DEFENDER. Thru 14 September, the British hold their first off-post national ground defense exercise, with the United States Air Forces in Europe participating. 

1923:   Army bombing tests off Cape Hatteras, NC sink the condemned naval vessels USS New Jersey and USS Virginia, showing vulnerability of naval ships to aerial attack.

1922:   Lt James H. Doolittle completes the 1st transcontinental flight in one day in a rebuilt DH-4B with Liberty 400 HP engines, 2,163 miles in 21 hours, 20 minutes. He makes one refueling stop of

1996:   The 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada begins operating the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle above Bosnia-Herzegovina.

1955:   The first Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker the “City of Renton” flies its maiden flight.

2005:   HURRICANE KATRINA. Air National Guard personnel log 600 rescues in one day after Hurricane Katrina makes landfall on the Gulf Coast.

1952:   KOREAN WAR SORTIE RECORD. Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers set a new 24-hour record by sending 854 Fifth Air Force sorties against Pyongyang, N. Korea.