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Gen. Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz

On Jan. 24, 1946, Gen. Carl Andrew "Tooey" Spaatz was selected the first Chief of Staff of the Army Air Forces. He was also the first chief of staff of the independent Air Force and a main developer of tactical air doctrine. During World War II, he commanded the largest armada of aircraft and airmen ever assembled under the control of a single commander.

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This Week in History

February 7, 1918
Instrument standardization in Army and Navy planes is established.

February 7, 1923
1st Lt. Russell A. Meredith, of Selfridge Field, Mich., made a hazardous mercy flight over frozen Lake Michigan to bring a doctor to a dying man on Beaver Island. Lt. Meredith later received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

February 7, 1944
The "Luftwaffe Stomp" became a popular combat maneuver for U.S. fighter pilots to evade the enemy. It involved stalling the aircraft and turning it at the same time to come out on the tail of a German fighter, and thus gain an advantage.

February 7, 1946
Republic's XF-12 made its first flight. It was a four-engine flying photo lab built for the Air Technical Service Command. It demonstrated the ability to fly 470 mph at 45,000 feet for 4,500 miles.

More Milestones

Heritage News

Officer Training School celebrates 50th anniversary

PACAF commander presents medallion to World War II nurse

American servicemembers build ties at Singapore air show

Lt. Col. Lee Archer, Tuskegee Airman, passes

Long-serving Air Force civilian to retire

Organization posthumously awards Medal for Valor to Airman

E-4 commemorates 35 years on alert

Reaper exhibit opens at Air Force museum

U.S., Japan forces celebrate as alliance reaches half-century mark

General Corley inducted into Order of the Sword

Spotlights

Brig. Gen. James Howard

Last aerial victory of the Vietnam War

Humanitarian Relief

Heritage Highlights

- 1st Fighter Wing
- 15th Airlift Wing
- 1st Special Operations Wing
- 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
- 59th Medical Wing
- 17th Training Wing
- 552nd Air Control Wing
- 50th Space Wing
- 51st Fighter Wing
- 67th Network Warfare Wing
- 31st Fighter Wing
- 509th Bomb Wing
- Air Force Flight Test Center

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This section is dedicated to the men and women who made the U.S.Air Force what it is today. The people, events and equipment of the past are integral to understanding the future. The various subsections provide an overview of the Air Force's heritage, important people, airpower, images, milestones and art. For more in depth coverage of Air Force history go to our links page and visit some of these specialized sites.