The Cold War and Beyond Chronology of the United States Air Force, 1947-1997 Frederick J. Shaw Jr. Timothy Warnock Air ForceHistoryandMuseums Program inassociationwith Air UniversityPress 1997 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 1997 2. REPORT TYPE - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER The Cold War and Beyond Chronology of the United States Air Force, 5b. GRANT NUMBER 1947-1997 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Air University Press,Maxwell AFB,Al,36112 REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT see report 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE 176 unclassified unclassified unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 i ForsalebytheU.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice SuperintendentofDocuments,MailStop:SSOP,Washington,DC 20402-9328 ISBN 0-16-049145-2 (cid:9) Contents Page FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . u 1947-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1957-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 1967-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 1977-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 1987-97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 iii Foreword This chronology commemorates the golden anniversary of the establishment of the United States Air Force (USAF) as an independent service. Dedicated to the men and women of the USAF past, present, and future, it records significant events and achievements from 18 September 1947 through 9April 1997. Since its establishment, the USAF has played a significant role in the events that have shaped modern history. Initially, the reassuring drone of USAF transports announced the aerial lifeline thatbroke the Berlin blockade, the Cold War's first test of wills. In the tense decades that followed, the USAF deployed a strategic force of nuclear- capable intercontinental bombers and missiles thatdeterred open armed conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. During the Cold War's deadly flash, points, USAFjets roared through the skies ofKorea and Southeast Asia, wresting air superiority from their communist opponents and bringing air power to the support of friendly ground forces. In the great global competition for the hearts and minds of the Third World, hundreds of USAF humanitarian missions relieved victims of war, famine, and natural disaster. The Air Force performed similar disaster relief services on the home front. Over Grenada, Panama, and Libya, the USAF participated in key contingency actions thatpresaged post-ColdWar operations. In the aftermath of the Cold War the USAF became deeply involved in constructing a new world order. As the Soviet Union disintegrated, USAF flights succored the populations of the newly independent states. Blazing across the Iraqi skies, Desert Storm's aerial assault paved the way for the liberation of Kuwait and established the leadership of the United States in an emerging global coalition. Since then, the USAF has shielded Iraqi Kurds, relieved populations on the verge of starvation, supported the restoration of democracy in Haiti, and reestablished the authority of United Nations peacekeepers in the former Republic ofYugoslavia. V Tremendous technological changes have accompanied the USAF's first 50 years. Supersonic jets swiftly succeeded the propeller-driven relics of World War II, only to be replaced by faster and more complex progeny. In-flight refueling extended the range and capabilities of tactical and strategic aircraft. Advanced imaging systems installed in high-altitude jets, unpiloted drones, and orbiting satellites have enhanced the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance. The advent of the intercontinental ballistic missile introduced a new and more terrible dimension to strategic deterrence. Over the same period the USAF advanced into space, as its people launched the first satellites, explored the moon, and crewed space shuttles. The USAF's first 50 years also spanned a period of profound change in the society of the United States- change that has influenced the service's composition and policies. Opportunities for professional advancement have opened to all. Participating in the full range of military specialties, minorities and women now occupy some of the highest command positions. The diverse composition ofthe modern USAF, coupled with open opportunity, has paid off in greater internal cohesion and effectiveness and the fresh perspectives required to successfully pursue global engagement farinto the twenty-first century. Taken individually, each entry in this volume marks a single, notable moment in the evolution of an illustrious heritage. In the aggregate, the entries tell a remarkable story of a powerful military institution's adaptation to 50 years ofpolitical, technological, and social change. DR. FREDERICKJ. SHAW JR. Chief, Research Division Air Force Historical Research Agency Vi