An Independent Air An Independent Air Force and the Cold WarForce and the Cold War

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IntroductionIntroduction

On September 18, 1947 the National Security Act of 1947 was enacted,

designating the former Army Air Corps as an independent branch of the US Armed Forces. This new “Air Force” was headed by Secretary of the Air

Force Stuart Symington and days later, the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force,

General Carl Spaatz.

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OverviewOverview

1. Video Clip - Beyond the Wild Blue Series

2. Informal Lecture - The National Security Act of 1947

- Technological advancement

- US/Soviet Cold War

- Contributing Factors

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IntroductionIntroduction

September 18, 1947: National Security Act of 1947 enacted

Designated former Army Air Corps as an independent branch of the US Armed Forces

First SECAF: Stuart Symington

First Chief of Staff of the AF: General Carl Spaatz

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The National Security The National Security Act of 1947Act of 1947

What was the National Security Act?What was the National Security Act?

Was it necessary?Was it necessary?

• established an independent Air Forceestablished an independent Air Force• coequal and separate from the Army and Navycoequal and separate from the Army and Navy• nonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air armsnonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air arms

• yes, to provide for an independent AFyes, to provide for an independent AF• yes, to essentially organize American defense forcesyes, to essentially organize American defense forces• yes, to more clearly define each service’s rolesyes, to more clearly define each service’s roles

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The New Independent The New Independent Air ForceAir Force

Did the new Air Force acquire new roles /missions?Did the new Air Force acquire new roles /missions?

What were its traditional missions of the time?What were its traditional missions of the time?

• yes, three “collateral” roles:yes, three “collateral” roles:• interdicting enemy sea power interdicting enemy sea power • conducting anti-submarine warfareconducting anti-submarine warfare• engaging in aerial mine-layingengaging in aerial mine-laying

• reconnaissancereconnaissance• counteraircounterair• counterseacountersea• counterlandcounterland

• airliftairlift• strategic attackstrategic attack• search and rescue (SAR)search and rescue (SAR)• special operationsspecial operations

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Technological AdvancesTechnological Advances

What technological advances were underway?What technological advances were underway?

How might these have affected our capabilities, doctrine, and How might these have affected our capabilities, doctrine, and missions?missions?

• advent of the jet engineadvent of the jet engine• pressurized cockpitspressurized cockpits

• nuclear bomb loadsnuclear bomb loads• nuclear missilesnuclear missiles

• jet engines’ lower fuel consumption = more R&D moneyjet engines’ lower fuel consumption = more R&D money• jet engines / press. cockpits = pilots could fly higher, faster, further, jet engines / press. cockpits = pilots could fly higher, faster, further,

with more maneuverabilitywith more maneuverability• better nuclear bombs = more payload over longer distancesbetter nuclear bombs = more payload over longer distances• nuclear missiles = increase in AF sphere of influencenuclear missiles = increase in AF sphere of influence

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What is a Cold War? What is a Cold War?

Were the US and the Soviets entering into a Cold Were the US and the Soviets entering into a Cold War? How do we know?War? How do we know?

What were some contributing factors?What were some contributing factors?

The Cold WarThe Cold War

State of political tension and military rivalry between nations that State of political tension and military rivalry between nations that stops short of actual “full-scale” warstops short of actual “full-scale” war

• USSR and US not getting along as allies in WW IIUSSR and US not getting along as allies in WW II• USSR spreading communism; US promoted democracyUSSR spreading communism; US promoted democracy• opposite political views opposite political views

• USSR isolating Eastern Europe through communismUSSR isolating Eastern Europe through communism

• USSR and US entering technology raceUSSR and US entering technology race• Marshal Plan gave > $20B to anti-communist regimes andMarshal Plan gave > $20B to anti-communist regimes and war-ravaged Europewar-ravaged Europe

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ClosureClosure

An independent Air Force gloriously reflects a military autonomy the founding fathers championed during the creation of our nation’s governmental structure.

-Anonymous

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SummarySummary

The NSA of 1947 established an

independent Air Force Roles and Missions Technological advancements The birth of a US/Soviet Cold War Contributing factors