Transcript An Independent Air Force and the Cold War

An Independent Air
Force and the Cold War
Introduction
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.
2
Overview
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
3
Introduction

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
4
The National Security
Act of 1947
What was the National Security Act?
• established an independent Air Force
• coequal and separate from the Army and Navy
• nonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air arms
Was it necessary?
• yes, to provide for an independent AF
• yes, to essentially organize American defense forces
• yes, to more clearly define each service’s roles
5
The New Independent
Air Force
Did the new Air Force acquire new roles /missions?
• yes, three “collateral” roles:
• interdicting enemy sea power
• conducting anti-submarine warfare
• engaging in aerial mine-laying
What were its traditional missions of the time?
• reconnaissance
• counterair
• countersea
• counterland
• airlift
• strategic attack
• search and rescue (SAR)
• special operations
6
Technological Advances
What technological advances were underway?
• advent of the jet engine
• pressurized cockpits
• nuclear bomb loads
• nuclear missiles
How might these have affected our capabilities, doctrine, and
missions?
• jet engines’ lower fuel consumption = more R&D money
• jet engines / press. cockpits = pilots could fly higher, faster, further,
with more maneuverability
• better nuclear bombs = more payload over longer distances
• nuclear missiles = increase in AF sphere of influence
7
The Cold War
What is a Cold War?
State of political tension and military rivalry between nations that
stops short of actual “full-scale” war
Were the US and the Soviets entering into a Cold
War? How do we know?
• USSR and US not getting along as allies in WW II
• USSR spreading communism; US promoted democracy
• opposite political views
What were some contributing factors?
• USSR isolating Eastern Europe through communism
• USSR and US entering technology race
• Marshal Plan gave > $20B to anti-communist regimes and
war-ravaged Europe
8
Closure
An independent Air Force gloriously reflects a
military autonomy the founding fathers
championed during the creation of our
nation’s governmental structure.
-Anonymous
9
Summary





The NSA of 1947 established an
independent Air Force
Roles and Missions
Technological advancements
The birth of a US/Soviet Cold War
Contributing factors
10