On This Day in History

1918:   Known as the US “Ace of Aces” for that conflict, Capt Edward V. Rickenbacker shoots down his 26th and final enemy aircraft of World War I. 

2004:   NASA’s KC-135A aerospace vehicle trainer, the “Vomit Comet,” flies its final sortie. NASA used the “Comet” at Edwards AFB to provide zero gravity training to students at the Aerospace Vehicle Test Course. The KC-135A

    1940:   First flight of the North American NA-73 (P-51 Mustang prototype) at Mines Field near Los Angeles. It was designed, built and flown in under 130 days.

      1973:   For 1st time since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, DoD imposes DEFCON 3 worldwide in response to Soviet reactions to the war between Israel and Egypt.

    1974:   The Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) launches an ICBM in the air, dropping a Minuteman I from a C-5A over the Pacific.

  1951:   Col Michael N. McCoy, the 306th Bomb Wing Commander, flies SAC’s first operational Boeing B-47 (No. 50-008) to his wing at MacDill AFB. In a 19 November ceremony, the B-47 receives the name

  1985:   Tactical Air Command launches its first missile from Vandenberg AFB. The Tomahawk Ground Launch Cruise Missile was also the first of its kind flown from this base.

2005:   After five decades of service, USAF and Lockheed Martin launch the last Titan IV B rocket from Vandenberg, its 200th launch.

1962:   The military leadership discusses actions in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Air Force Reserve mobilizes eight troop carrier wings and six aerial port squadrons.

1918:   Brig Gen William “Billy” Mitchell briefs General John J. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, on a plan to airdrop elements of 1st American Infantry Division behind German lines. General Pershing tentatively approves