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

May 12, 1917
Capt. W. A. Robertson set a new American altitude record of 17,230 feet over the North Island Flying School, San Diego.

May 12, 1928
Lts. R. W. Douglas and J. E Parker made a record flight for single-seat planes from France Field, Canal Zone, to Bolling Field, D.C., in two Boeing PW-9 planes. A Curtiss D-12 engine with 440 HP powered the two Boeing PW-9s.

May 12, 1928
After 65 hours in the air over a two-month period, Lt. Julian S. Dexter, Air Corps Reserve, completed a 3,000-square-mile aerial survey of Florida;s Everglades.

May 12, 1938
Three Army B-17s intercepted the Rex, an Italian vessel, 700 miles from American shores to prove the feasibility of using long-range bombers in coastal defense. The Navy subsequently demanded the restriction of bomber operations to within 100 miles of the coast.

More Milestones

Medal of Honor Tribute

Medal of Honor Recipients

Heritage News

Synonyms: Superman and Doolittle Raider  1

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force selected for heritage award   1

Bataan survivor helps celebrate memorial walk  2

Faith in captivity: Vietnam War POW inspires Airmen  2

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

Spotlights

Berlin Airlift

Project Score

Navaho X-10

Inside AF.mil

GeneralImagesVideo

View All RSS