Portal:United States Air Force/Did You Know
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Box-header/colours' not found.
New Suggestions
Did you know list
... that in World War II, David M. Jones, later a U.S. Air Force Major General, participated in events that formed the basis for two Hollywood movies: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Great Escape? Jones was one of the Doolittle Raiders, and later a prisoner of war in North Africa — leading the digging of escape tunnels.
... that Operation Flaming Dart, was a series of 148 sorties flown on 7 and 11 February 1965? The missions were carried out by units flying F-105 Thunderchief aircraft deployed to Da Nang Air Base. The first wave of 49 sorties targeted a North Vietnamese Army base near Dong Hoi. Viet Cong forces responded by bombing a hotel housing U.S. personnel which in turn led to the second wave of 99 sorties. The second wave was directed at Viet Cong logistics and command and control structures near the Demilitarized Zone.
... that the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is the oldest unit in the U.S. Air Force? It has been active since 5 March 1913. From that time, the squadron has participated in the Mexican Expedition, World War I, and World War II and has operated 45 different airframes.
... that to become a United States Air Force Pararescueman a candidate must complete 75 weeks of training at nine different schools? The training, known as 'The Pipeline,' has a dropout rate of 90%.
... that the unofficial motto of Wild Weasel operators is "You Gotta Be Shittin' Me" (YGBSM)? The motto is said to have originated from Jack Donovan, an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) upon learning the Wild Weasel mission.
... that the First Air Force is responsible for air defense of the continental United States? As the Air Forces Northern component to United States Northern Command it utilizes Air National Guard units to fulfill North American Aerospace Defense Command missions.
... that Operation Northern Delay was an airborne operation that tied down six Iraqi divisions in northern Iraq? The operation was conducted by C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 62d and 446th Airlift Wings dropping members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The crew of the lead aircraft was award the Mackay Trophy for "most meritorious flight of the year."
... that the Air Force Institute of Technology offers master's and doctorate degrees in 24 fields? In addition, the school also offers continuing education classes in a number of technical and logistical fields across the Air Force.
... that the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) was classified until 1973? The first of the Air Force's 41 weather satellites was launched in 1965. The constellation continues to provide critical weather data to military and civil customers today.
... that the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard operates the Air Force's fleet of LC-130 Hercules aircraft? With these aircraft the 109 AW supports the annual Operation Deep Freeze, logistical support to the National Science Foundation's Antarctic research.
... that during Operation Safe Haven aircraft from the Military Air Transport Service airlifted between 15,000 and 21,000 refugees fleeing the fighting from the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956. In the process nearly 20,000 Hungarians found permanent homes in the United States.
... that the United States Air Force Marathon is held annually at Wright Patterson Air Force Base on the Saturday nearest to the Air Force's birthday of 18 September. Events include a 26.2 mile marathon, a half marathon, a wheelchair race, a four-person relay, and a 5k race.
...that Charles G. Boyd, USAF, is the only American prisoner of war from the Vietnam War to reach the four-star rank?
A highly decorated combat pilot during the Vietnam War, Boyd's awards include the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with combat "V" and two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters.
Boyd, now retired from the Air Force, is the president and chief executive of Business Executives for National Security.
The SR-71 Blackbird holds the record for flying from New York City to London. The record, 1 hour 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds (mach 2.68), was set on 1 September 1974 and is still the record for this transatlantic flight.
...that before the F-117 Nighthawk was given an official name, the engineers and test pilots referred to the ungainly aircraft, which went into hiding during daylight to avoid detection by Soviet satellites, as "Cockroach"?
...of the three active bombers in the Air Force fleet, the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-1 Lancer, and the B-2 Spirit, all were designed to be capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons, but only the B-52 has ever actually dropped a nuclear bomb (on 21 May 1956 during Operation Redwing at the Pacific Proving Grounds)?
...that Major Oscar F. Perdomo downed five Japanese aircraft in a single day and thereby became the United States' last "Ace of a day" of World War II?
...that General Carl A. Spaatz was the only General or equivalent rank that was present at three World War II capitulations: he was present at Rheims when the Germans surrendered to the Americans on May 7, 1945; he was at Berlin when the Germans surrendered to the Russians on May 9, 1945; and he was aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese unconditional surrender on September 2, 1945.
...that Tops In Blue performed at Super Bowl XIX? The music group, composed of 35 Air Force personnel, was first formed in 1953 following an Air Force talent competition. Each year a new group is selected from applicants from across the Air Force. After a 45-day training period the group tours venues worldwide, building morale and acting as goodwill ambassadors.
...that the National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum? Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio the museum includes more than 400 aircraft and missiles and attracts more than 1.3 million visitors annually.
...that Colonel Gerald Gustafson was awarded the Air Force Cross for supporting another Air Force pilot despite being wounded and flying a severely damaged F-105 Thunderchief? Colonel Gustafson was shot down twice during the course of the Vietnam War and safely recovered both times.
...that the Order of the Sword was first awarded in May 1967? It is the highest honor the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow upon an individual. The Order of the Sword is typically presented to senior Air Force officers in recognition of their dedicated service.
...that Chief Master Sergeant Antonio D. Travis was named one of the top 100 most influential people of 2010 by TIME Magazine? Chief Travis led the combat control team that deployed to Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response. He and his team led the largest single-runway operation in history during the first two weeks after the 2010 earthquake overseeing more than 4,000 takeoffs and landings, an average of one every five minutes.
