2007: ROBERT J. COLLIER TROPHY. The National Aeronautic Association presents its annual trophy to the Lockheed Martin Corporation and the USAF for developing the F-22 Raptor. The award submission focused heavily on the F-22’s performance […]
1966: XB-70 collides with F-104N chase plane; F-104 pilot Joe Walker dies, along with the XB-70 copilot Maj Carl Cross.
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.
1966: The ARRS observes its 20th anniversary. During this time span ARRS rescued more than 12,000 people throughout the world.
