Official Site of the U.S. Air Force

Heritage

The Heritage section is dedicated to the former Airmen who developed the independent Air Force and continue its evolution into cyberspace. The subsections provide an overview of important people and milestones. The data has biographical profiles and citations for Medal of Honor recipients along with spotlights featuring important dates in Air Force heritage. The people, events and equipment of the past are integral to understanding the future.

This Week in History

April 28, 1919
Leslie Irving made the first jump from an airplane with a free-type backpack parachute at McCook Field, Ohio. He jumped from a DH-9 flown at 1,500 feet by James "Floyd" Smith, the parachute's designer.

April 28, 1958
After an in-flight explosion, 1st Lt. James Obenauf notices an unconscious crewmember. Instead of ejecting, Obenauf pilots the B-47 to a safe landing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. He will receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism.

April 28, 1963
The first successful Titan II launch from an underground silo occurred at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

April 28, 1967
An Air Force Titan IIC successfully launched five satellites (two Vela nuclear detection and three scientific) into orbit.

More Milestones

Medal of Honor Tribute

Medal of Honor Recipients

Heritage News

Bataan survivor helps celebrate memorial walk  1

Faith in captivity: Vietnam War POW inspires Airmen  1

Doolittle Raiders greet, inspire Hurlburt Field Airmen during final reunion  4

Air Force Combat Talons fly for last time  4

AF Honor Guard blossoms in joint drill exhibition  1

Retired 'crew dogs' keep Norton's legacy alive  1

Historic 'Liftmaster' back on display  4

Airmen, Japanese remember the past, honor the present

Taking steps out of respect at Bataan Memorial Death March

Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial

Spotlights

Berlin Airlift

Project Score

Navaho X-10

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