An Independent Air Force and the Cold War

2 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.

3 Overview 1. Video Clip - Beyond the Wild Blue Series 2. Informal Lecture - The National Security Act of Technological advancement - US/Soviet Cold War - Contributing Factors

4 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

5 The National Security Act of 1947 What was the National Security Act? What was the National Security Act? Was it necessary? established an independent Air Force established an independent Air Force coequal and separate from the Army and Navy coequal and separate from the Army and Navy nonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air arms nonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air arms yes, to provide for an independent AF yes, to provide for an independent AF yes, to essentially organize American defense forces yes, to essentially organize American defense forces yes, to more clearly define each service’s roles yes, to more clearly define each service’s roles

6 The New Independent Air Force Did the new Air Force acquire new roles /missions? 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 warfare conducting anti-submarine warfare engaging in aerial mine-laying engaging in aerial mine-laying reconnaissance reconnaissance counterair counterair countersea countersea counterland counterland airlift airlift strategic attack strategic attack search and rescue (SAR) search and rescue (SAR) special operations special operations

7 Technological Advances What technological advances were underway? How might these have affected our capabilities, doctrine, and missions? advent of the jet engine advent of the jet engine pressurized cockpits pressurized cockpits nuclear bomb loads nuclear bomb loads nuclear missiles nuclear 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, with more maneuverabilityjet engines / press. cockpits = pilots could fly higher, faster, further, with 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

8 What is a Cold War? What is a Cold War? Were the US and the Soviets entering into a Cold War? How do we know? What were some contributing factors? The Cold War State of political tension and military rivalry between nations that stops 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 viewsopposite political views USSR isolating Eastern Europe through communism USSR isolating Eastern Europe through communism USSR and US entering technology race USSR and US entering technology race Marshal Plan gave > $20B to anti-communist regimes and Marshal Plan gave > $20B to anti-communist regimes and war-ravaged Europe war-ravaged Europe

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

10 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